Yeah a good set of micrometers or dial calipers are expensive, but they are very good. Even a knock-off cheap one is infinitely better than a tape measure or ruler. If you have gauges for them, just calibrate more often.

Can't tell you how handy a 10 dollar dial caliper is.

 

Same reason they're reputed to avoid road maps

ps. in truth I much prefer good paper maps to GPS or printouts.

 

And the JD will just open more floodgates leading to an even larger task .... leading to more JD.

Vicious circle.

 

Mitutoyo is all I use at home.

Then again, I got the combo of digital calipers and micrometer for $60
from a classifieds site.

 

Have to agree with that.

I'm not after pin point accuracy, just something easier than a tape measure for doing something like measuring awkward stuff like tubes.

I've ordered a cheap one from ebay, so I should have it monday or tuesday.

 

I've just received the extension tube, which has to be cut to length but what is concerning me right now, is the length of the Swage, which measures exactly 2 inches.

Its much too dark to offer it up for a trial fit right now and no room to do so, till I get her out of the garage and tomorrow they forcast Rain!

I would have liked that Swaged section to be a little bit longer.

But what do you think Guys, do you think the Swage will be long enough? as without looking, I am not sure how much of the exhaust pipe is already tucked into the existing Swage section, as it needs to be pushed right home to take out that 'Droop'

P.S. I already know the diameter 54mm (Thanks 'Grant')

Does anyone happen to know the rough length of the Swage on a Standard Exhaust?

 

Although I don't want to speak too soon, I got her out of the Garage and jacked her up on one side.

Then after offering up the part, things were looking quite good and I think that it would have been well on the way, if only that it hadn't started raining!

 

OB
The swage will be long enough providing you use a decent clamp, preferably one of those ones a bit like a heavy duty jubilee clip with a bolt pulling the thing together, rather than a U bolt type. Plus a spot of exhaust putty.

It might be worth testing the rusty pipe to be sure it is really strong enough to take the dis-assembly and re-assembly, rather than just crumbling under the effort. Good luck though, but when is the covered space going up? That's what the autumn is for!

Greg

 

Hi Greg

Those photos are a bit ancient, last year I took the whole lot to bits, sanded it down and repainted it.

Those pipes are pretty rock solid and not likely to fall to pieces anytime soon but having said that I'm paranoid that the pipe will pull out of the existing swage, dig into the ground and fly off down the road.

Hopefully this repair piece, will sort out the problem, while the GF's dad is making me a system from Stainless Steel, which has been on the back burner owing to pressure of work.

Not sure what you meant by 'Covered Space?'

 

OB
Somewhere to repair the exhaust out of the rain! AKA garage...
Greg

 

I've got a Treble Garage, with only one of my XJS's in it at the moment and so I could have done it under cover but I thought that I would work outside, as I am also planning to 'Black Wax' the Chassis. (using a spray)

Turned out to be a 'Big Mistake' for as soon as I jacked Her up, the only time it stopped Raining, was to allow for a 'Hailstorm!'

But looking on the Brightside, the repair piece is 'Spot On' at 54mm!
(Well done 'Grant!')

Although the other end is such a tight fit, that once I hammer it in there, I will never get it out.

At the moment, rain has now stopped play.

 

After getting Paranoid that the Exhaust was about to fall off, last Summer I wired it together to try and ensure that it didn't hit the Tarmac if it did.

And while I'll admit to bodging it up, this year I decided that I would try and do a better job.

So first I obtained a 54mm repair piece with a Swage at one end, then cut it to length and hammered it into the Silencer.





Then Trimmed up the Straight Pipe to ensure a perfect fit, using a hose clip, as a cutting guide.

Together with my Caliper which I used to measure the length, which was only a Tenner from ebay and has now proved so useful for all sorts of things, that I'll never know how I ever managed without one.



Using a Hose Clip as a cutting guide.



After which I bolted it back and then made some final adjusments, before clamping it together with two 60mm Exhaust Clips.

Job Done, good to go!

Before:



After:

 

Well done

 

That's a Proper pipe now, OB!
Ya wanna come and fix mine?

The front of the cat is all scared up from the PO hitting things. I have to be *Really* careful about driveways and speed bumps are Completely out of the question.
(';')

 

Send me a Ticket and I will be down!

Anyway you don't need me, you are an 'Expert Welder' now, or should that be 'Welderess?'