MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Stripped Exhaust Stud

I know that this isn't the "correct way" to fix my problem, but I'll ask anyway.

The nuts were rusted/frozen to the studs when I removed the exhaust downpipe from the exhaust manifold on TF681 last year. An impact wrench removed them. Two are OK. One is stripped and reduced diameter. I was in a rush to prep for GOF, plus I didn't have the nerve to try to replace the bad stud, so it finger-tightened a thick brass nut onto the stud. Well, of course, it's fallen off. The downpipe isn't leaking.

The carbs are off of the car, so I have room to work.

> Do you have any backyard-mechanic-trick to making the nut stay on and keep the downpipe tight to the manifold? (e.g. Copper wire or piece of solder between threads.)

If I remove the manifold, what are the chances of removing the stud without breaking the manifold flange? What type of shop could do it? I still don't have the nerve to attempt myself.

Thanks for your help,

Lonnie
TF681
TF7211





LM Cook

Well if it were me and the manifold is reasonably easy to remove I would take it to a machine shop who can remove the stripped thread and replace it. If it is a Whitworth thread it might be worthwhile replacing all with more common SAE studs.
John Quilter (TD8986)

Lonnie. There is a hot iron (actually a heating coil) that is placed around the stud , nut etc. it heats the material to cherry red and breaks the molecular bond caused by the corrosion. That with a penetrating lubricant will easily remove the stud with a pair of vise grips. A Benzomatic or torch will also work be patient. It will come out. I have several 168xxx manifolds available. One is freshly aluminized should you need one.
W A Chasser

Bill's method may work. If not, take it off and take to machine shop. If they can't get the stud out, then they will have to drill, tap and replace it. At some point I did that and used a Dorman small block Chevy stud/nut that worked fine. It is too long, just cut the excess off. If you go that route, remind shop that you have very old and brittle cast iron and to be careful! George
George Butz III

I've removed these studs by using a torch to get them red hot to break corrosion. There have been a few that snapped off, so for those I drill them out and fit a thread repair insert, like heli-coil or similar. The trick is to drill the exact correct angle.




Steve Simmons

More...




Steve Simmons

Great writeup Steve!
Christopher Couper

This thread was discussed between 12/11/2023 and 14/11/2023

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG TD TF 1500 BBS now