RE: Inlet Manifold Advice

["Harris, Bob G." <R.G.Harris@domain.elided>]

Peter,

Thanks for the comments, one of my purchases (Christmas present to myself?) 
will be  suitable torque wrench.  As you say some of the bolts are 
inaccessible.  I thought I might try and get a cheap spring balance so that 
I could use a spanner and then pull it round using the spring balance - 
trouble will be finding one.

I am anticipating finding that the manifold is not square, I haven't yet 
checked it, I've been concentrating on getting the bits for the head as 
they are causing me more concern.  I take the view that since the manifold 
is off the car working on that will be much easier than the rather 
unpleasant job of leaning into the car to do the helicoils.  I had already 
decided that loosening a head with be a pretty daft thing to do!

Thanks

Bob Harris

-----Original Message-----
From:	PGAHOWELLS@domain.elided [SMTP:PGAHOWELLS@domain.elided]
Sent:	Tuesday, December 22, 1998 8:00 PM
To:	R.G.Harris@domain.elided; stag@domain.elided
Subject:	Re: Inlet Manifold Advice

Dear Bob
The gouge is part of the design. I used Unipart asbestos free gaskets when 
I
did mine with some Rover ally Gasket sealing material for 1.4 K series
engines, which I think is silicone based. I could get you the part number.
Can't help you with the helicoiling but someone will.
When you reassemble you must use a torque wrench and torque up to 20, but
definitely not over. I couldn't get my torque wrench on all the bolts,
especially the front LH and had to guess. I found the top bolt, although 
easy
to torque is less important to tighten up than the side ones, which may not 
be
the case with yours because  I'll bet the heads are not on dead square, 
and
that a loose fit of the manifold reveals a slight rocking.
Anyway mine is watertight after 2500 miles, and she has seen some 80mph 
plus
long motorway runs since then.
Oh, by the way ignore the repair manual advice to loosen one head to float 
it.
That will unseal the gasket. I am told you only do that float stuff if you
have had the heads off.
Good luck with the helcoils
Peter H