How to make your own MG header-to-downpipe gaskets
1. Melt a child's wax crayon in a pot on the stove.
If you are interested in originality, use three
Cadet Blue to one Black. If you are only interested
in duplicating the factory's performance and
quality, use the leftover stubs that are too
short for your kids to want to draw with.
2. Shred the wrappers from four Hershey's Kisses
chocolate candies. If a commercial shredder is
not available, use pinking shears.
3. Stir the shredded candy wrappers into the melted
wax and mix well.
4. Pour into rings approximately 1" -- 1 3/4" in
diameter and 1/4" -- 7/16" thick. Two are required
per car through September 1974.
5. Insert into the space between your MGB header and
the downpipe. Tighten the nuts on the studs until
the wax compresses.
This will duplicate or exceed the factory specification for the
MG header-to-downpipe gasket. It will fit, perform and last
at least as long as the original equipment, which is to say
roughly until your car reaches operating temperature.
Seriously, does anyone know *WHY* those things are as
cheesy as they are? Is there a better solution than
the stock pieces, which aren't that much different from
something made according to the steps outlined here?
--Scott "Tired of purr-POPPA-POPPA-POPPA-purr-POPPA-POPPA-POPPA" Fisher
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