Exhaust straps 2+2

[kgnich]

After sorting my rear brakes out with the help of this forum I wonder if anyone can offer any views on my next ... and hopefully last(!) challenge.

I've a new Bell exhaust system - looks well made, and have purchased new stainless steel straps to support it.

Trouble is they are considerably larger than the originals and don't fit between the rubber hangers. This can't be that difficult a part to get right so I'm wondering whether I'm missing a trick somewhere.

I have a feeling that I read about someone else who had this problem but I can't find a reference now.

The straps fit around the centre box silencers OK. I haven't tried the old straps on the new boxes but they would also probably fit.

Here is a photo which clearly shows the difference in size.



Any help would be appreciated on how to sort this - short of cutting lengths out of the straps and welding - but I don't feel I should need to do that.

Cheers
Graham

[KingRichard]

I have a feeling that I read about someone else who had this problem but I can't find a reference now.

Cheers
Graham

Hi Graham,

Perhaps you're referring to my posts on Jag-Lovers. I mentioned this problem very recently. I had indeed the same problems with my new Bell exhaust.

http://forums.jag-lovers.org/av.php?1430585m04

I had the complete exhaust refitted (again half a day) and reformed the straps so they are a close fit on the silencer. This cures the problem for the front strap. It now barely fits between the rails of the floor. For the real it will not fit. I made new straps from 8 mm rubber sheet.

The problem is that the rails are not parallel. At the front they are a few cm's wider. Because the new straps are equal, you have your problem. The partlist mentions different partnumbers for the front and rear, so I guess they will be different. See my website for pictures and hopefully you can resolve it.

http://www.richardbrand.nl/etype_1-50_thumbnail.htm

I had contact with SNG Holland (they actually contacted me, great service :D ) about this problem and they would verify this with Bell. I hope to hear soon. I think the exhaust of Bell is great, it fitted very nicely (apart from the straps of course), looks great and overall are very pleased with it.

This is my first post. I'm restoring a S2 1969 2+2 RHD (triple SU ). Hope tot start first time after nearly 20 years next week and back on the road spring 2012.

Best regards,
Richard van den Brand
Netherlands

[kgnich]

Hi Richard,

Welcome to this forum. Have to say I have found this site invaluable. Very helpful people.

I think we exchanged emails on the rear exhaust hanger some time ago - that must have been where I saw your straps.

I've just spoken to SNG here, who supplied the straps and the exhaust. I referred them to this thread.

They can see the problem and said they'd look into it.

Thanks for posting - I hadn't appreciated the problem got worse towards the rear of the car. I didn't get that far! I just tried to fit the front one and realised something was wrong.

Hope your 2+2 goes well on first start up. I looks like you have done a comprehensive rebuild. It is good to see other 2+2 's being looked after.

Graham

[KingRichard]

Hi Graham,

That might just be true. Thanks for the compliment. Although still a lot to do, but I want it firstly to be mechanical 110%. It must have a perfect mechanical and safety working. So I renewed all brake cilinders, servo's and other brakingparts, rebuild radiator with new core, full engine rebuild and new wiring. Next is painting and refitting interior.

I remembered another article on the exhaust question on the great site Newhill garage:

http://www.newhillgarage.com/Page54.html

Let you now about the first start soon.

Best regards,
Richard

[kgnich]

Thanks Richard. Very interesting that others have had the same problem. I have blasted and painted my original straps and they look pretty good. Interestingly the front and back are indeed different lengths. Not much but enough to matter. I'm still waiting for SNG to get back to me but I'll most likely just use the old one.

Good luck with the start up!

Cheers
Graham

[KingRichard]

Thanks Richard. Very interesting that others have had the same problem. I have blasted and painted my original straps and they look pretty good. Interestingly the front and back are indeed different lengths. Not much but enough to matter. I'm still waiting for SNG to get back to me but I'll most likely just use the old one.

Good luck with the start up!

Cheers
Graham

Hi Graham,

That confirms the fact the the rear strap is different then the front, as I suspected. I didn't have the old exhaust and straps anymore, because they were completed rusted away so I discarded the remains long ago. I informed SNG Holland about this thread also, but you can now confirm the different lengths. You can use one of the new straps for the front, and use the old one for the back.

Startup will be coming week. I can't wait. :D

Best regards,
Richard