Local Centurion Service

[ChemCool]

Vlade, or one of you in Centurion area - is there a place in Centurion that can skeem (ground surface) the manifold? If not, I have to plan to get to Rosslyn again.

[Vlade]

You talking about the area that bolts onto the head? Why you wanna skeem that... unless you bugered up when trying to remove the old gasket

Well try these people

Basil's Engineering, they not that expensive and there service is fairly good, there number 012 664 5120

They are in Lyttleton on the corner of Union and Langebrink, just off Botha laan

[ChemCool]

Exhaust manifold. Keeps on blowing one gasket closest to fire wall. Never skeemed before. Done all in the past except this. No I dont think I damaged something, except my budget. Thanks for the info - I will call immediately. At least I can carry the manifold on my back in a backpack, while cycling to them. Opeltjie occupied by the rest of family. So then I can do some cardio training as well.

[JdeeK22]

I recently had my manifold skeemed. I had it checked first though and you could clearly see the manifold surface was not straight, this was after the gaskets blew only once! Im gonna put it back on the car now, just waiting for the new gaskets, studs, washers and nuts to arrive! If this doesn't stop the gaskets from popping...I don't know what will!

[ChemCool]

What a question. I have done the same. I also used stainless steel gaskets. The manifold is now skeemed. The end result not bad, but, but, but I think there is still a slight leek close to the firewall. It looks like I cant tighten that nut on stud. Something wrong with the stud. Will investigate this afternoon. But now it is not fun any more. Done that, been there, got the T-shirt.

[JdeeK22]

While were on the topic of tightening the nuts..I never used a torque wrench on my manifold coz there's no way to get one in between the turbo and engine to tighten the manifold nuts. So what do I do? Do I just use a spanner and tighten them as tight as I can? What do you suggest?

[ChemCool]

Yes, I also recall on previous posts about the same topic and no torque wrenches. Matter of loosen the nuts and tighten again. Also tighten from the middel outside. But as easy as it sounds, the bottom two nuts against the fire wall side is a nightmare I think I will only manage them if the car is on a lift. Lying down on your back and using your left hand ( I am right handed), is almost impossible. Check previous post on this topic about manifold gaskets.

[johansx]

I fitted a X-force stainless branch (actually Dastek tried 1st without succes) but it kept on popping the gaskets. Fitted metal gaskets between the head and the turbo, used copper exhaust locknuts. Problem solved. I also had to assemble the stripped down turbo and the X-force outside the car because there is just no space to reach the bolts once the manifold is fitted to the car.
A 7 hour excersise...

Only problem now is the excesive heat generated by the stainless manifold!

[Vlade]

7 Hours...

1.5 hours, on and off... but I've done it 6 times now

What did the Xforce manifold cost... I got a xforce exhaust...

[ChemCool]

Vlade, thanks. Bazil Eng has done great job. Thanks for info. Now I am confronted with the top stud against firewall on the point of breaking off.
Cant tighten the nut. Thus, still a leak on the manifold. Also a new oil leak arrived yesterday. The hydraulic operating cylinder leaking oil. Last night my youngest son has this to say:" Pa jou kar is vrot!" Needless to say that I did not say something back to him

[johansx]

7 Hours...

1.5 hours, on and off... but I've done it 6 times now

What did the Xforce manifold cost... I got a xforce exhaust...

Don´t laugh, my daytime job is behind a desk

Think I payd R3200 or something around there. Had it sitting on my top shelf in the garage for a few months waiting for the wife to buy something expensive....