Morris Minor Owners Club

Had a good ride out in the Morris this week as we have had some nice, but cold weather. nice and toasty with the heater running! Stopped off to take a couple of photos (new signature pic)
A casual check under the bonnet has revealed an exhaust leak between manifold and exhaust pipe joint, the gasket has given up and is blowing straight at the fuel pipe! (only 2 or 3 inches away)
No vapourisation or bad running, I guess because it was so cold anyway.

That joint always was a pig to seal but with the new four branch exhausts there will not be that problem. If you have a spare gasket then the best way I have found to secure the joint is a scissor jack under the silencer to line it up then to use the largest bolts which will go through the holes. I have also had a reasonable amount of success by using a large copper O ring held in place by exhaust repair paste whilst the sections are bolted together. A three bolt mounting would have been a lot easier.

I'm going to be buying a length of special flexi hose for the exhaust system. If it works out, I might be able to make a run of sections to go between the manifold flange and the silencer. This will allow some flex so that the manifold/downpipe joint doesn't get so stressed.

I used something similar on the aeroplane.[frame][/frame]

Years ago when I had exhaust probs I brazed in a section of flexi, worked ok but as it was mild steel it rusted readily, I think stainless sections are available today, sounds a good idea in this situation.
Pulling the joint together without a gasket shows that it is not pulling together totally squarely, I shall slacken off all the exhaust brackets and joints until it is all loose then bolt up the offending joint then work my way down the pipe.
I usually put a smear of grease in the joint (not sure why!) is this good practice?