V8 MGB, can you fit cyl heads with exh manifolds fitted?

3xpendable · Post by **3xpendable** » Tue Mar 18, 2014 3:20 pm

My dad seems to think that bolting the block hugger exhaust manifolds to the head, and then fitting the heads to the block thats already in the car will be easier than trying to fit the heads, then fitting the exhausts to them. Is this true or is fitting the exhausts in situ not a horrendous job?

Its a Rover V8.

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Tue Mar 18, 2014 7:47 pm

It depends what is in the way mate. If the engine bay is fully loaded its a bit more fiddy, but not a huge job to be honest. If they are block huggers I would think trying to drop the heads on with the manifolds fitted would be a bit of a pain. Especially if you have head studs fitted ?

If you use 3/8th drive sockets and ratchet etc its easier to do the bolts up?

On my GT the fiddly bolt is the bottom one on number 8 !

I cut the bolt hole on this one. By that I mean I cut the bottom off the flange under the bolt hole so the hole becomes a slot. I cut the gasket as well. I leave the bolt in the hole and just back it off half a turn so the manifold can be lifted off. On My factory V8 the steering shaft is so close to the bolt that you cant get a spanner on. I have a crescent ring spanner that i have ground to be thinner so it fits in the gap between the bolt and the steering shaft. I can send some pics if required. Not sure how your engine sits in regard to the steering shaft?

Pel

3xpendable · Post by **3xpendable** » Tue Mar 18, 2014 11:09 pm

Thanks Perry,

Its a standard installation on a 77 shell with the Rover V8 sitting on standard V8 mounts. It sounds like the best thing is to install the heads, then fit the manifolds after with a slot in the hole below the rearmost port?

Interesting about studs too, I was planning to use bolts.

DaveEFI · Post by **DaveEFI** » Tue Mar 18, 2014 11:30 pm

I'd say it would depend on the manifold to downpipe connection. On my SD1 it is a flange, so far easier to fit the heads, then manifold and finally couple downpipes to manifold. If it is a one pipe inside another type - pass.

3xpendable · Post by **3xpendable** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 7:30 am

Thanks Dave, its a discovery motor with the 10 bolt heads so I don't have that issue thankfully.

DaveEFI · Post by **DaveEFI** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 8:39 am

Welshie wrote:Thanks Dave, its a discovery motor with the 10 bolt heads so I don't have that issue thankfully.

You've lost me there.

I've omitted the outer row of bolts anyway.

Post by **scudderfish** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 4:47 pm

I despised this bolt on my exhaust manifold

DaveEFI · Post by **DaveEFI** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 6:09 pm

Wot - no locking plates?

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Wed Mar 19, 2014 7:04 pm

scudderfish wrote:I despised this bolt on my exhaust manifold

Those have a lot more room to get to the bolts than the MGB blockhuggers have. They look nice though. But I doubt they would fit in the MGB engine bay