The SE5a learning curve! - Flora

[RockerPhill]

Hi everyone!

So, GREAT news..

Flora passed her MOT first time; the only advisories were for minor play in suspension/ball joints which is my next job on Flora anyway; almost collected all the bits I need.

Super happy and super enjoying the fact that the mechanical fan HAS fixed the overheating once and for all! I'm so happy!
My only issue now is the exhaust leak coming from the downpipes; I'm trying to fix it but it seems the only way forward are tubulars.. pricey!

But anyway, WONDERFUL results and one very happy lad!!

Considering I bought the old girl as a wreck with no mechanical knowledge what so ever; I feel like I might be getting better at this car malarkey!

[Dennis Nicholas]

Exhaust manifold to down pipe joint. If that is where it is leaking like it was on my 6a then the cure was a new clamp together with a little gentle shaping the down pipe to the manifold taper. The new clamp was much thicker than the old (this was discussed some years ago).

[RockerPhill]

Thanks Dennis!

Its exactly that. Do you recall from whom you purchased the clamp? Also, who do you remove the down pipe in order to change the clamp

[greeny]

Well.done Flora and congrats Phil

[toomanysabres]

The inlet manifold gasket looked fine, though I did in the process discover that my oval port Essex has d port heads! It had the correct gasket

WHAT!!!

[RockerPhill]

The inlet manifold gasket looked fine, though I did in the process discover that my oval port Essex has d port heads! It had the correct gasket

WHAT!!!

Is that a bad thing?

[Scimher]

Congrats. on the MOT, Phill - fantastic news!.. 'Little Sis', the Herald nearly passed hers a few days ago.......just the back brakes/handbrake, due to me overgreasing over a year ago & filling the rear offside brake drum with grease... - new linings required which had then never been adjusted after bedding in - (& I thought the handbrake wasn't too bad!!)...

[philhoward]

The inlet manifold gasket looked fine, though I did in the process discover that my oval port Essex has d port heads! It had the correct gasket

WHAT!!!

Is that a bad thing?

As long as the heads, gasket and manifold match then it isn't.

As for your downpipes, they are usually more than up to the task as long as the flared ends aren't out of shape, the clamp rings aren't distorted and it's all assembled correctly as per suggestions here and on FB - a smear of assembly paste, push it into place (I use a jack to hold it in place), and only then start to fit the clamp. I think Tony Idle mentioned a good method a while back - nip up the clamp, then give the downpipe a wiggle to check it's still seated correctly. Repeat the "nip and wiggle" procedure until there's no more wiggle then tighten it up. New clamp rings are pretty cheap from the traders - a lot cheaper than tubulars.

[Dennis Nicholas]

Thanks Dennis!

Its exactly that. Do you recall from whom you purchased the clamp? Also, who do you remove the down pipe in order to change the clamp

Not quite sure what the removal question is.

If you have the standard set up the down pipe flares out at the top and the manifold flares in so the two are conical and should mate together with a little exhaust paste as Phil says above. The clamp is in two halves and is so shaped that it will grip on both the manifold and pipe flare and pull the two together by tightening the two bolts and nuts that hold the two halvs together. You may have to be brutal and cut the bolts/clamp if they are badly corroded then the pipe should just drop off the manifold...maybe with a few taps with a block of wood..have something to support the front end of the exhaust system/pipe. I spent quite a while with the old clamps carefully reshaping/cleaning up etc but to no avail.....just too thin for the job. New ones fitted first time and remained gas tight. Apart from our specialists you may have a good original style older Ford agent/garage locally that would have a look see if still available to order...you may be surprise at what you can still get through Ford. But do make sure they are the thicker stronger items.
Dennis
ps if problem getting pipe off, take clamp off, piece of wire round pipe and manifold to stop pipe dropping off then go for run round block.....when the thunderous ROAR is heard job done!!!!!!!

[philhoward]

Not sure if you've got confused Dennis but the clamp you've described sounds like the BL clamp? The standard Essex manifolds have two studs in them that the clamp goes over, then just the nuts (can't remember if there's washers as well).

Downpipe is removed at the join just before the front exhaust boxes unless you're unlucky and got one-piece exhausts..

[toomanysabres]

The inlet manifold gasket looked fine, though I did in the process discover that my oval port Essex has d port heads! It had the correct gasket

WHAT!!!

Is that a bad thing?

You can't mix oval ports and D ports. If you have D port heads then you need a D port inlet manifold surely.

[Dennis Nicholas]

Not sure if you've got confused Dennis but the clamp you've described sounds like the BL clamp? The standard Essex manifolds have two studs in them that the clamp goes over, then just the nuts (can't remember if there's washers as well).

Downpipe is removed at the join just before the front exhaust boxes unless you're unlucky and got one-piece exhausts..

Ahem yes. More senile than I thought I was!
Clamp is a one piece item that you put on over the end of the down pipe once you have separated it from the front box (f you are lucky and have a non one piece exhaust) then slide it up to the manifold joint.
However I think the bit about getting a newer THICKER clamp is still true? and the pipe is bell ended to go over a similar bell ended protrusion under the manifold flange.

Sorry for confusion folks.

Dennis

[philhoward]

The rest is true, Dennis

[RockerPhill]

Hi guys!

Thanks for all your help. Been having tonnes of fun driving Flora, I think she's been reborn since slogging away to get her right again after 15 year stores in someone's garage!

Driving her around lots and lots, but I notice the bite on the clutch cable is changing when warm. It's got a new clutch too.

Anyone know if it's just these bits bedding in and needs adjusting again?

Wish there wasn't so much salt on the roads or she'd be out MUCH more!!

[rebel alliance]

Hi phil ,if you got the red plastic clutch pipe i think they can expand a bit when warm j