Burt1969 Posted April 13, 2005 Share Posted April 13, 2005 Hi everyone, I'm now on my third type of gasket, last set was from redline, before that I had the copper ones and the time before that from caterham. Each time it blows in the middle of the centre gasket. Now I am assuming that the flange has probably warped over time and I can only see three solutions. 1. Take to an engineering firm and have the flange milled flat. How easy is this going to be with the pipes attached? 2. Have a new flange welded on. 3. Get a new set of middle primaries. Thoughts comments and any idea of costs would be very much appreciated. Our Kitty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikes Posted April 13, 2005 Share Posted April 13, 2005 If you are thinking about option 3 I have a complete rear exit exhaust system sitting in the garage. It is the standard (for the time) 4:2:1manifold and I never had any problems with gaskets. I changed to a 4:1 because of other engine upgrades earlier this year. I was thinking about trying to flog the complete old exhaust sometime (if I ever got round to it) but I see from the pic yours is a side exit. Still, if this is a possibility and your only option drop me an email. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coose Posted April 13, 2005 Share Posted April 13, 2005 File it flat using the outer two flanges as a datum. Use a long steel rule as a straight edge. There you go - a free fix! And yo don't get much for free nowadays, do you!?! We will mend it We will fix it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owjay Posted April 13, 2005 Share Posted April 13, 2005 Funny, my mates 1300 Fisher Fury has just come down with exactly the same problem. On that note, I don't suppose any of you guys have got an old twin-choke lying around that you want to sell? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burt1969 Posted April 13, 2005 Author Share Posted April 13, 2005 Mikes - Thanks for the offer but I've just sold my old rear exit system. . Coose - I did start to file the flange but nerves got the better of me. Owjay - Its a rear pain in the Ar$e ain't it. Our Kitty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAC Posted April 13, 2005 Share Posted April 13, 2005 My Xflow does the same -as the bores are much larger than they where designed to be. A bit of exhaust gum on the gasket solves it -maybe not the pureist approach- but it works. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JampJ Posted April 13, 2005 Share Posted April 13, 2005 Have you tried the copper ones from Roger King? Expensive, but effective. If there's an obvious curve in the flange, filing flat, would be a good place to start. Cheers J&J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim_H Posted April 13, 2005 Share Posted April 13, 2005 Burt, I've the same problem, - 2 gaskets in 2 months. Personally i'm taking in the whole picture here. - My next guess - Engine mounts. My car is 1996, and could probably do with new ones, to stop the engire rocking, and putting strain on that gasket. But.... also my exhaust is awfully hard to line up, ie. - it's natural position isn't where the exhaust port meets the manifold. - I've got to give it a bit of persuasion to line up. confused too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puremalt Posted April 13, 2005 Share Posted April 13, 2005 Ditto the above, Seven Workshop copper gaskets are the best however, a little testing for flushness and localised filing also works well This one goes up to 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asklepios Posted April 13, 2005 Share Posted April 13, 2005 Machine the flanges true. Cost you £10-15 . Then buy the RK gasket. If you are unconvinced, try a straight face acress the sytem. I bet you will have an eigth of an inch or so out of true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burt1969 Posted April 14, 2005 Author Share Posted April 14, 2005 So it looks like option 4 then!! Back to CSE Metalwork and file 😬 . Will have to wait until I move house now as most things are packed away. Seven is going to a friends soon to sit in their recently cleared out garage so don't want it in bits for too long... Our Kitty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Lowe Posted April 14, 2005 Share Posted April 14, 2005 Had the same problem, had the flange checked and as Asklepios say's it was well out…. Machined the flange for £10, bought the RK gaskets and have has 18 months trouble free and have taken them off and refitted them twice. Guy IT'S MANGO AND THAT'S THE END OF THE MATTER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burt1969 Posted July 14, 2005 Author Share Posted July 14, 2005 I'm at a loss. . Finally got around to having the flanges on the primaries machined level at a local engineers, very nice man didn't charge me, put on new copper gaskets and its still blowing in the middle of the centre primary. Help *confused* Our Kitty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DohNut Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 Burt Sorry you are still having problems with this Assuming cylinder head mounting is flat also - obvious I know If the bolts were overtightened / on an uneven surface the flange can lift in the middle simply by the action of the bolts pressing down at the ends -IYSWIM Nick I am obviously lucky that I run without gasgets, although I think I have a dab of goo on the center manifold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1WEL Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 I had the same problem with my last 7. I had the flange resurfaced and fit the copper gaskets from RK Problem solved Lotus Elise S2 for sale here pics here may take 7 in p/x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burt1969 Posted July 14, 2005 Author Share Posted July 14, 2005 Sorry are the "RK" copper gaskets the ones from the 7 workshop? Our Kitty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Lowe Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 Burt1969 Yes they are Guy IT'S MANGO AND THAT'S THE END OF THE MATTER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burt1969 Posted July 14, 2005 Author Share Posted July 14, 2005 Cheers Ordered 😬 Our Kitty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianHorn Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 Had the same problem until I filed the flange flat using the outer edges as a datum as previously mentioned here, fitted the RK copper gaskets and have had no problems since. However, I saw on a German xflow owners car that he had had the original flange removed and a much thicker (10 or 12 mm) one welded on. No problems! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sootysevener Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 I think the problem may be the result of even a small amount of bowing under the pressure of the bolts / fixings. my new powerspeed system with flanges absolutely flat blew a little even with 7 workshop copper gaskets. A smear of silicone sealant on both sides of the gasket cured the problem David 1989 1700XF SS with upgraditis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midnight Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 I've posted on this before, had the same problem which I solved (after some advice from Steve Parker) by having a Van Dieman formula Ford center exhaust flange welded onto my centre primaries. The problem with this joint is that it doesn't have a center bolt to hold it against the head between the two siamesed exhaust ports, and the standard flange is too thin, hence the warping away from the mating surface when hot which can cause the blowing gaskets. The Van Deiman part is at least twice as thick as the standard Caterham Header flange, and since getting this fitted have never had a reccurance of the problem. I can't remember the name of the company that did the work, only that they reside in the Croydon area and do lots of stuff for exotic engines and racing exhausts. Give Steve Parker a ring. His ads in Low Flying every month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Riches Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 HI Midnight, so, how thick is the Van Dieman flange compared to the original part? My centre flange and those on the outer pipes are about 10mm thick, is this the sort of thing you're talking about, and I've never experienced any blowing, using common or garden Ford gaskets in these positions, always torque to the Ford recommended level, can't remember what it is now, but not very high. 1982. 5 speed, clamshells. B.R.G / Ali. The True Colours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midnight Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 Hi Nigel, my centre header flange is 17mm thick and obviously it needed longer bolts as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim_H Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 Burton Power do a nice gasket, much better than the Ford one, and remember (unlike me) to get the centre one the right way up Tim L7 EVN - on the upgradealator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team RogNeedham Posted July 19, 2005 Leadership Team Share Posted July 19, 2005 Burt you may want to follow the link below - had exactly the same problem as you. Now cured with the support bracket mentioned on the link. If you want piccies I'll try and find where I've put them. email off line if you want Rog here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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