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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - LCB Installation Trouble

I am installing a ceramic coated street maniflow LCB system in my mg midget. I have noticed that I may need to cut out the gussets on the frame where the manifold passes between frame rails near the bottom of the car. is this normal? this thing seems to take up a bit more space down there. Its hard manuvering it into place.
S.A. Jones

Quite normal - use a hacksaw to cut 2 slots in the flange, and bend upwards (tap with a hammer).

A
anthony

I think that if you had researched this, you would find that the Maniflow manifold fits without cutting.

You will also find that it is quite probable that the manifold requires fitting to the car whilst the engine is OUT.

Mark.
Mark Boldry

Hey mark,

Just a bit of a heads up....On the american cars you have to install the engine 1st then install the header because it just barly hits the steering colum, no way around it that I have found...granted you can pull the coloum but its a bear each way, Im not 100% if this is the case for the maniflow Lbc...but my header that is certianly the issue....I did have to widen the hole a bit as well, with the curve of the pipe, its just a bear....I used an angle grinder, and only took out what was needed.

prop
Prop

There's no way that my Maniflow would have fitted without removing that filler between the rails.

It also went in OK with the engine in - "tail" end through the hole first, with the three manifold pipes as far aft of the engine bay as possible, then "fed" through the gap in a curved motion.
Steve Clark

Yep, mine would never have gone through withotu trimming either, although mines the large bore one so it is a bit cunkier. It did go in without the engine out but only JUST. This was of course found out as even though i'd been advised, I'd forgotton to put it in place when the engine was out!
Nick

I fitted a Maniflow LCB WITHOUT cutting anything although it was really awkward and a bit of a struggle to manipulate it into place. I have a Heritage bodyshell - I don't know if that made any difference. Once fitted there was plenty of clearance and it has never rattled against the chassis.
Chris H (1970 Midget 1275)

Yeah, I removed the steering column. I had somone there to help with that. realy is no way around it. As an added bonus I was able to swap out the old brake check switch for a shiny new chrome one from moss. brightens up the dash nicely. Well I suppose its time to attack it with a sawzall or grinder. not sure which method of destruction would be preferable.
S.A. Jones

Mine had to be altered. I've had my Maniflow ceramic coated also - really good heat reduction.
John Collinson

Hi Seth! Good to see you here. My LCB is NOT Maniflow, it was acquired from Bill Perry at Rivergate. I believe I slipped it into place before I installed the engine, but it was quite a while ago, so I will not swear to it. In any event, it did not require any cutting.
David "welcome wagon" Lieb
David Lieb

I fitted a big bore Maniflow without cutting the gusset.

I believe the trick is that to get it in you need to turn the manifold 180 degrees, slide it in to the hole then it can be turned back 180 degrees to line up correctly with the engine/cylinder head.

Naturally if the engine is in situ this option would not appear to be available and therefore people with the engine not installed would be able to get it installed and those with the engine in would think it neccessary to cut the gusset.

However if you release the engine mounts and using a jack underneath tilt the engine over to the opposite side it becomes possible to install the manifold even with the engine in by turning it 180 degrees and sliding it in before turning it back 180 degrees to marry up with the head.
Bob England

I think Bob is correct. I don't recall loosening the engine mounts but I do recall ending up with the manifold 180 degrees out and puzzling over how that came about. I think there was just enough clearance to rotate it into place (with the usual cussing and huffing). It was a few years ago so my memory is a little hazy.
Chris H (1970 Midget 1275)

You mean slide the manifold in backwards and then turn it around? I never thought of that. I'll try that first. If it works it will be included in the video I'm doing on the project.
S.A. Jones

I fitted the PRC LCB the same way without cutting the chassis, wish I had done now but it only hits occasionally when pulling away. Think I did the same through the hole and then rotate without touching the engine mounts.

Shaun
S Riches

The Peco(?) I have needed the gusset to have the suggested surgery.

Junk, absolute junk.

Because of the way the pipes are oriented the web has to be removed and the extra bit tapped out of the way.

I wish I had a lovely Maniflow one instead.
Bill

Yep the peco don't know what happened with the keyboard when I typed that. It has not been that bad I have thought about replacing the engine mounts. Have to admit did not get a single knock out of it all the way to Gaydon and back total of about 400 miles and that's without the gusset surgery.

Shaun
S Riches

OK its in now. I had to cut the gusset a bit but it went in. the next problem was that one straight pipe was to long and I had to take 2-3 inches out of it. Now the whole thing is in (the tailpipe sticks out kinda far but I'm ok with that for now). The sound is very quiet (hardly what I was expecting), but there seems to be more giddyup than before. I dunno what that means in hp or torque, but it seems to effortlessly pull from 2,000 RPM in near silence. The only sounds I really hear are the clattering of the tappets and the whine of the gearbox.
S.A. Jones

Not bad....S.A.

you might try using a cloths pin and a playing card and clipping it to the fender....used to work for me, for a better performance sound.

prop
Prop

This thread was discussed between 30/05/2008 and 31/05/2008

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