OK Experts.... I need to make a new exhaust bracket - you know, the reinforcing bracket that connects the bottom of the LCB to the diff side plate.

I have a nice piece of 1/8th thick aluminium plate (easy to work).

Do you think it will be stiff/ strong etc enough to reinforce the exhaust???

It will work almost exclusively in tension/compression so I think so. I intend to connect the pipe to two of the side plate bolts.

Comments??

Cheers, Ian

I'd probably use it but aluminium does fatigue quicker than steel and then fracture.

Aluminium would be useless I'd have thought. Better off being all steel.

I only use it for skid plates under mufflers.

I have had the steel ones there break across the hole so I don't think alloy would cut it.
Ditto the (recent supplied) rear Cooper muffler brackets, I have had them break, >weld up. Break, > weld up. (cheapo asian steel...) So I made a new one from HR340 Aussie steel and it's been fine since.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Maybe try and make a rubber insulated mount - like a steel bracket with a heavy rubber bush (like an engine steady rubber) where it connects to the engine.

I use good old fashioned BHP steel angle for all my exhaust brackets

custom make them to fit each car so there`s no problemo

i don`t think i`ve had anyone complain about a broken exhaust bracket from me at all ever



go a decent piece of old-skool steel angle & fab it up nice & fab

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

When I built my rover the first time I needed an exhaust hanger in a hurry - so I got some of that pre-fab shelf angle steel - the sort with a slotted hole in it every inch and a half, cut a piece 4 inches long and used that along with some U bolts and and other random crap. 5 years later it was still there.

I never ran a diff bracket on my extractors because I forgot to put it on... Never made any difference..

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Potato

It probably depends how many stabilisers and stuff you have.
I've never run a diff support either on any mini, but I usually have 2, sometimes 3 stabilisers so the amount of engine movement is minimal.

Thanks Guys..I think I shall suck it and see...

The old Maniflow lasted 20 years without a front bracket - but the new one came with one so I used it..and chewed out the diff side plate thread in a couple of years (only single mount to diff case).

So I've helicoiled the hole and we shall see how it goes...

Cheers, Ian