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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Sealing exhaust connections

Wow, what a great day. 100 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway into Asheville!
But, there is a lot of decent after climbing those mountains and my exhaust was popping at the manifold to head pipe joints. This normally happens when the engine is cold and then they seal after the pipes are hot. Today it was very cool out and they just kept popping.
I've got Clive Wheatley SS RV8 manifolds and a slip fit head pipe with a band type clamp to hold things together. Any recommendations on a non-hardening sealing compound or better method of sealing the joints? These are the only joints in the system. The rest is welded as one piece.

Kelly
Kelly Combes

Slip joints on an exhaust are alwaus a pain. Either they won't stay tight or they won't come apart when you want them to. Two solutions come to mind. Cheap and easy is to weld them, but the good solution is to install flange joints. There is probably a high quality band clamp type aircraft style tapered seat weld on joint available that would permanantly solve the problem, you see these type of clamps on turbos. Aircraft Spruce and Specialty has some useful pieces. http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/ep/exhaustcomponents.html?pg=3
About 1/4 way down the page is a bolted swivel joint that might work.
Also if you've ever looked at the pipes of an older Harley most of them use a continuous stainless clamp with about a 1/4" fine thread bolt to pull it tight. Finding these in the necessary diameter might not be easy, but they are available somewhere. The tubes are slotted under the clamp. As far as using a sealant, well, good luck with that one Kelly.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

I've thought of flanges but I think it might be too late for welding since the manifolds are ceramic coated. Of course I want to be able to take the joint apart when needed.
Kelly Combes

Kelly,
I'm using Clives extractors. I used an exhaust sealant. I don't remember what its called but I got it at Kmart so it's nothing special and readly availiable. Came in a plastic 'toothpaste' style of tube. A white-pink colour past that expands a little when heated. I was able to get the pipe off after I had used it. a few vigourous whacks with a rubber mallet did the trick. If you do not want to chance this another possibility is to wrap a bit of muffler repair tape around the join and locate the join clamp over the top of it. Or a smear of paste under the bandage to make sure.
Peter

Kelly, I used a sleeve type joint to connect the header collector pipes to the downpipes on my MG (302 Ford). There was not room for a flange in the back corner of the wheel well. I put in some copper silicone sealant and then used springs between welded- on flanges - like a motorcycle - to hold the connections in place. Works fine, doesn't leak and can be disconnected easily in a couple of minutes. Bob.
Bob Elwin

An installer at Monroe told me that they use plain old RTV sealant. Doesn't harden.

Derek Nicholson

I've looked on a few of the BBs of the Cobra guys and they are touting the copper RTV as being able to hold up to the heat. I think I'll give that a try.
I didn't go with flanges because of clearance issues. I would like to stay with the band clamps because it's the slimest option.
I might put a small slot in the edge of the head pipe to help it pinch down a bit.
I'll let you know how it turns out.
Thanks,
Kelly
Kelly Combes

http://www.clampco.com/products/tbolt_stock.htm

They are called T bolt clamps.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

Hello , Kelly , not sure what Clive Weathely headers are ? I have rv8 [not block huggers] & they are jett hotted [GREAT STUFF, that jett hot...] anyway my headers and the exhaust pipes that meet them , both have a strap welded on the sides , that meet up , then a couple of 3? I think ? holes in each one & a bolt & nut that goes threw both . This pulls it up tight , but I did have some minor leaks , I am in the appliance business & have some Heavy Duty [ Hi Temp.] foil type duct tape , since I had it [readily available ] I used it & 4000 mi. later its still on there & has worked fine . Muffler tape is probally the same stuff ? I would say you could get it at a heating & a/c place , the glue on mine is starting to leave go & it will need to be replaced soon , but did a great job to this point & I still have lots left on the roll ....
Denny1

This thread was discussed between 22/10/2006 and 25/10/2006

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