Changing The Manifold Gasket
Turbo Mini Forums

I have to change my manifold Gasket. I've got the carb and inlet manifold off. now have to take the outlet along with the turbo.
would it be best to undo the downpipe clamp, then push the outlet exhaust back towards the bulk head ? would the turbo oil feed be ok, or could it split ? im sure this is going to be a pain in the arse job.

Shit Happen's

Do it right -take the exhaust/turbo etc off completely.Its always worse thinking about it than doing it.Oops,what did I just say ?.

Shit Happen's

try it and see, if you start to strain anything, bite the bullet and remove it as needs be

"Turbo's make torque, and torque makes fun"

"did you know you can toast potato waffles?"

Any good tips then please

Cheers

Shit Happen's

You need to get a lot more than 5mm, as you have to clear the manifold studs.I have often done it on N/A Minis but I would not try on a turbo,even with the extra time involved

As above, unless all the studs came out with the nuts, the manifold has to go a long way back to clear the studs. You can't rock it to help because the outer studs are through holes, not slots, and the turbo manifold flange is thicker than standard. (I'm assuming this is Metro T3 stuff)

I've just done a quick measurement on mine (although incomplete, it's mocked up in the car at the moment) and the manifold and turbo together would JUST clear the studs before the turbo hits the bulkhead box, BUT, I have one of Jason's (milamber's) deeper boxes.

The only suggestion I can think of, is disconnect the top engine steady (and gearbox steady if fitted, and any additional ones) and carefully jack the engine forwards at the top to give you a little more room.

If the turbo to manifold nuts are properly wirelocked (and probably siezed up), getting the bottom left one undone in the car (to seperate the turbo from the manifold) must be nearly impossible anyway.....

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

i had to change the head gasket at combe, we undid the stabilizers and rocked the engine off the intake and exhaust manifold and lifted the head off, it was easier that i imagined it would have been, took us an hour and a half to change it and put it back together. I do have a flip front though which may make it a bit easier.

133.5 bhp 123 lb torque 116mph @6640rpm 9.5psi
Shakespear RWYB 14.995 91.83mph

Ive always left the turbo connected to the drain as its a PITA to put back on.

If you remove the engine steady tilt the engine forward and place a block of wood between the bulkhead and block you should be fine. Thats they way ive always done head gaskets and manifold gaskets?

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

i've put caphead bolts in now to make it really easy

i wouldnt worry, just get it out the way somehow without excessive force.

BTW, spend the extra and get the good gasket from avonbar otherwise you may be doing it again soon. its got metal rings in it.

or use a late injection gasket, as they also have fire rings in them!! but are about £4 not £20 as the turbo ones are......

"Cars are a lifetime of pain"

turbo ones are only about £6ish

I dont even take the turbo out when I remove the head anymore. I use my low lift jack to lower it on the down pipe to give me clearance the only knuckle bender is the oil feed and return lines.

Own the day

I've never removed the turbo to get the head off.

Just remove 3 manifold studs and it's out.

In the 13's at last!.. Just

Own the day

jsut had a wee brain wave, to save soem time. undo all the nuts and slide everythhing back so you can access the gasket but not so far back everything is off the studs, tear the old gasket off, and "slot" the stud holes in teh new gasket on one side, drop the gasket in and do everything back up :)

turbo 16v k-series 11.9@118.9 :)

Denis O'Brien.

Can anyone see a downside to this,please ?.

as said undo the nuts undo the stablisers then tilt engine forward, its a piece of piss to do and yes the injection gaskets are buy far the best for any engine.

always looking for them bigger bunches of bannanas

I Got the injection gasket as rich says, which arrived today from minispares.
Thought i'd give it a try.
So no point taking the engine and gearbox mounts out then, just the top stablisers.
I need to support the turbo surley when moving the engine forword for the studs to clear the the exhaust manifold.as it be top heavy No ?
Got such a nasty air leak coming from the old gasket :( so needs changing bad.

Cheers..

Shit Happen's

As stated before support the exhaust with your troley jack

Own the day