Zetec exhaust manifold

[PeterK]

Been looking at the pile of bent pipes that should make a manifold for my Zetec engine Plus 2, and decided that my welding skills are not up to consistent welding of such thin metal.

Spyder are asking ?398 + VAT & postage for their manifold, which is painful even if I say it quickly. To avoid me having to start practising a lot of thin sheet metal welding, any other suggested suppliers ?

[Bud English]

Peter, I hope someone chimes in with a suggested source but I can't help but think that they are rare indeed.

If you are at the pile of tubing stage at one point you must have thought of doing it yourself and have it somewhat under way. What type of tubing and welding were you going to use? Have you thought about farming the welding out?

I'm not up on the UK school system these days. When I lived there my kids were 5 and 7. The high school here still teaches welding, both gas and electric and the work done by "some" students is very professional. Is there a trade school anywhere near by that teaches welding? Someone may be willing to do it a a demonstration project.

I'm facing that task soon. I have to set the body back on to see just how much room I really have to work with. That should be sometime next week.

....and here come the reminders that this should be in Mods.

[Spyder fan]

Peter,
Burton Power do a zetec exhaust manifold to suit the MK1 & 2 RWD Escort at ?162.50 + VAT and carriage. http://www.burtonpower.com/ashley-exhaust-manifold-16v-zetec-e-escort-2-25-bore-ashm07.html

Probably worth a look at some of the Escort orientated modifying sites and asking for help. Maybe Burtons will give you the dimensions so you can check if it can be adapted easily.

The Spyder item is expensive because it's bespoke for a very small market, they are normally only made to order one at a time.

[PeterK]

Thanks guys
Bud
Comfortable welding, but where I can 'rework' where necessary. Quite happy with the mods to the front of the chassis to allow the Zetec in, and I've repaired exhausts before, but not confident in getting an air-tight seal on all the joints.
There is a evening welding course at the local technical college, but next course doesn't start until September - I'm planning on going

Alan
The Anglia /Escort /kit car manifolds all look to pass over the engine mount, not in front and under. Someone has used a Fiesta FWD manifold as a starting point.

Maybe I'll just have to give my credit card details quickly, then lie down for a while
Peter

[Bud English]

Yeah, and maybe a cool compress, on the credit card. But that's one more thing off your plate to allow you to focus on something else.

My DIY decisions come a little easier when I add freight from the UK to those prices. I'm retired and have a lot more time than money. I'm toying with the idea of sand filling some tubing and having a go at bending the runners to eliminate the welds. If I do, I'll write it up and post it.

Feel free to add to the "zetec engine in lotus chassis on 2+2" thread in the Mods section if you want.

Good luck.