As the inlet manifold sits too high in the car for a roadster, first job was to work out how to get the height down. Thought about cutting the risers out completly, keeping the manifold that bolts up to the engine, ditching the plenum and the making a custom alloy box and TIG welding it to the manifold. 2nd option was to try and mould one out of fibreglass but due to the vibration in the engine I thought this would induce lots of potential cracking. Finally I decided to take a slice out of the risers and then TIG weld them back together like the picture of the car in my previous post.
Big step taking the old mangle grinder to my inlet manifold but I thought nothing ventured nothing gained.
Going off memory a bit but the slice I took out was close to the picture below.
I then had the arduos task of trying to find someone to TIG the pieces back together... couldn't find anyone that would do it for me. Because the risers don't line up 100% none wanted to take the risk as they thought it may screw it up, even though pleading with them to have a bash they still wouldn't do it.
Did a lot of searching through google and found an article on chemical metal, it's basically like body filler but has metallic compound in it. I was sceptical and happen to mention it to a mate and he said he used on a restoration project a number of years ago to patch up and oil tank it has been solid since.
Mentioned it on the Haynes forum and I must be honest one or two guys did caution me on this product as it may create small beads inside the riser when you lay it on so I would recommend that you way up the risks of using it before you do. My decision was relative easy, as I plan to swap the engine out sometime in the future I'll only have the DOHC in there short term so thought I'd go for it.
Here are a few pictures of the manifold during the chemical metal application/sanding/primer stage.
first stage lay up of the chemical metal
couple of close ups
And this is the final article after hours of sanding, refilling etc... before and after primer
before primer
after primer
June 2010
First job look at how I was going to tackle the inlet manifold. In it's current state the manifold would sit far too high in the roadster (see pic below) and would end up sticking through the bonnet. Some people have mad custom scoops, some have mcguiver'd their own plenums.
I saw this picture some time ago a chopped the manifold and rewelded... this is what I'm going to have a crack at it (Freudian slip hope I don't crack it :@ )
May 2010
Having bought a copy of Chris Gibbs 'How to build a Haynes Roadster'', this is my monthly blog of events on my quest to build a kit car. How it will turn out and whether I make it remains to be seen ......
After much deliberation about whether to go with a pinto, CVH or DOHC engine, I decided to go CVH .... so I bought a DOHC!
Saw an advert locally for a J Reg 2.0i Sierra Ghia, the car was clean and well maintained so for £300 had to have it.
Didn't take a picture of it arriving but this was a few days later after I already started stripping parts off it.
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| J Reg 2.0i Sierra Ghia |
1st week sold £60 parts on fleabay so off to a good start!!!!
