TR6 Takes a Leak!
Peter Arakelian
Goleta, CA
(One of the Moss Crew!)
For the last three years I have had a continual problem with the manifold gasket on my TR6: vacuum leaks. Initially I could count on a new manifold gasket to solve, for about four months, those annoying backfires during deceleration and the rough idle! By the beginning of this year the problem was occurring almost monthly! During this time I became very proficient at changing that gasket but I realized I had to do something about the cause of the problem.
First I had the intake manifold surfaced-I did not do the exhaust because the gasket always blew out at the intake ports, usually the rearmost, and my machinist was amazed that I had not burned a valve long ago! The manifold was warped in two directions-not only was it curved away from the head on the ends, but it was also cupped vertically due to excessive tightening on multiple layers of gaskets. The last gasket held out for just two weeks!
I decided this time to use a gasket designed for performance headers and changed all the lock washers, and this seems to have finally solved the problem. The new gasket is a solid piece of material rather than the composite style of the original, which appears to make it less susceptible to the separation and tearing I was experiencing. *(Moss #695-050 for TR250 and early TR6, thru '72, 695-060 for late model, '73-on.)
However I do feel that changing the lock washers was the main improvement-the old ones were getting...well old! This meant they were not holding properly and the new washers compressed the gasket less while applying the same pressure.So if you are having the same problem, and I've heard many of you are, try changing the washers.
Working on automobiles is inherently dangerous. Moss Motors, Ltd. is not liable for injury or damage due to incorrect installation or use of their products. All products are sold with the understanding that the safe and proper installation and use of the products is the customer’s responsibility. Follow factory workshop manual procedures and instructions, but use current shop safety standards and common sense. Some tasks will require professional advice or services which Moss Motors cannot provide.If you have a specific comment or question and you'd like an immediate reply from Moss Tech Services, don't post here - please first email: BritishTechnicalSupport@mossmotors.com Please include the Title and Location of this tip if applicable.
Forum
FAQs here.