Does a 318is M42 engine have a inlet manifold 2 head gasket?

[jaistanley]

I'm planning on fitting bike throttle bodies to my M42 engine (isn't everyone these days?) and need to get one (or a few) flanges cut in aluminium. As far as I can see, the best way of doing this is to scan a paper gasket and import it as a bitmap into autocad, re-draw it as a DXF (to the correct scale) and send to a laser cutting company or even my old uni.

This way I'd have a useable flange with not to much effort. The alternative is to draw round one and cut it with metal work tools.

Either way I need a template and would rather keep my car running so can't inspect what I've got if you see what I mean!

To finish the manifold I'll get some extruded Ally tube the same diameter as the throttle bodies and crush one end to match port, then TIG them on.

Anyone know if the M42 uses a paper gasket?

Many thanks.

Jai

[Karan]

i believe it does mate

why not get a spare manifold.... and cut pipes off that and use the flanges from that??? or are u going bigger... even if u r, u could prob try this method...... just a guess.......



got a question for u Jai aswell.......---what should i check on my tourer cos the steering isnt self centering as well as my sport
i have installed low hartge suspension... tracking is parallel, offset tca bishes installed

note-rack is not bent and turns freely with wheels off ground....

could it be the tyres.... i will check pressures again

[jaistanley]

The self centering effect is usually driven by the castor of the front wheels and the tracking. You say these are both the same as your sport so it can't be that. (think trolley in supermarket to see how castor affects that, excessive toe out normally causes steering to be vague around the centre point too as each wheel has it's own oppinions on where you want to be going).

My only guess is that either the top-mounts aren't hot on the tourer which is adding lots of friction when weighted up, or the rear suspension is showing a lot less toe in. This could be the case seeing as your sport is so madly cambered and toe'd on the rear. Spose the net effect is that the tourer will be more stable when cornenring but have less turn in and it looks like it'll have less self centering.

Are the wheels on the tourer the same width/offset as the sport? Are the tyre's the same profile? Changing the offset will change the King Pin Inclination and could affect the steering centering.

Sounds stupid but is the steering wheel stiff? When the engine's running is the power steering pump/hydraulics making it stiff?

This is an odd one alright.

Sorry to not give you a definate answer.

Jai

[jaistanley]

PS...

Where would I get a cheap lower inlet manifold for an M42?? They seem fairly rare so it may cost quite a bit more....

Jai

[Karan]

i know who has one...

i'll call u later dude and we'll have a chat.... in fact i need something off u too

Karan

[stuartgallafant]

let me know how that works out Jai...

I have 318iS too, and im always interested in improving it

[jaistanley]

Karan...

Been away this weekend to the misus' so phone was out of range of civilisation..

Just tried ringing you.

Gimme a shout if you still need.

Jai