On Fri, 22 Dec 1995 wmaxwell@humboldt1.com (William Maxwell) wrote:
>Subject: cracking manifolds?
>
>The guy who worked on my 1980 MG stated that ALL MGB manifolds WILL
>enventually crack and that it is only a matter of time.
>
>I'm curious to know what experience you all have had. Does this statment
>prove true? Is there an expected lifetime for the stock manifolds? Symptoms
>before it goes? etc...
>
>Thanks much to all that respond.
>
>William (should I start my manifold account now?) Maxwell
>wmaxwell@humboldt1.com
Here's my breakdown on this. I believe it was sometime in 1969 that B(PS)L,
in order to comply with the fart from the imperialist stinking US Congress
stating that all cars had to have emissions controls, added an air injection
system, commonly known as "smog sh*t". Unlike everything else they added,
for this they actually redesigned a little and came up with a new casting
for the cylinder head. This new cylinder head was designed specifically to
crack between the #'s 2 and 3 plug holes and the stud casings and was
extremely succesful at it. The European models didn't work out so well,
though as they didn't have to have the "smog sh*t" and so, as they were not
drilled out for it, wound up, contrary to the original design secifications,
actually being stronger than the first design. This further infuriated the
design team so they stepped up their efforts in America. They borrowed the
catalytic converter from the Americans in order to unbalance the heat
buildup on the engine. This also proved succesful, especially when coupled
with the removal of the heat sheild which provided for the occasional engine
fire, thus enhacing the driving experience with more racing-like excitement.
My maroon ('74) developed a crack between #2 & #3 and when we got it off we
discovered a crack between #3 & #4 that had been cold fixed. The car ran
fine, but I replaced it with a head from a '67, and while I was at it, had
it milled, ported and polished. It was an opportunity and it was worth it.
Having the head polished and ported is the first step in any engine
enhancement scheme anyway so if you go that route you're already on your
way. Get a used one and find a machinist you trust. Oh, and I painted it
ford red. I know, sacrelige, but it WAS beautiful and more important it
helped me see what was going on around the engine compartment. And it was so
Christmasy. If I'd painted the block bright green...
Glenn I really don't know where it comes from" Schnittke
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Joyful Driving
Glenn Schnittke Recovering Musician
Nashville TN 615-385-2800
glenns@edge.ercnet.com 72147.3635@compuserve.com
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