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MG TD TF 1500 - Douglass Exhaust Manifold

Good Day Everyone,

I wonder if anyone has knowledge about Douglass exhaust manifolds? The one is question arrived at the shop on the 1955 TF 1500, it's a 2 piece unit, cast iron probably and says DOUGLASS vertically on the center.

I've searched the internet several times and cannot bring up anything. I'd like to know if this was an accessory of the car's vintage or something much newer.
I wonder how these might sound, a bit sporty I would think.

If we choose to use this on the restoration it's looking like we will have to use the old front pipe (which isn't degraded) or just custom make a new one. I have seen neither another manifold like it or a front pipe to fit it.

When we started this project the client just wanted a nice driver. Now that he has turned us completely around and is dead-set on everything authentic I could sure use some input on this one. How would this be accepted at judging?

The client has expressed a great deal of concern that the MG not sound like a VW. I certainly understand that but I would think this header set up would change that MG sound.

If it were my car.......I'd probably keep the little header set on it. Hmmm, if I could build them all for myself....LOL

I appreciated reading the posting regarding the stainless steel exhaust systems, most helful info.

Thanks to all and have an enjoyable weekend,
Killer
Kelley Purdum

Kelley,

Yes it is actually a piece of vintage "speed" equipment. All the Douglas manifold really did for you was allow you to use twin tail pipes and make the car sound different. If you want it to function like a header add a "Y" connection under the car and run one tail pipe this way it will actually scavenge properly. Another popular manufacturer of split manifolds was a company called HUTH. I've seen a few of these and the Douglas manifolds kicking around the swap mets lately.
Good luck with your project.

Ben T.
Ben Travato

Other then putting in a VW engine, I can't think of anything one could do to an xpag to make it sound like anything else... it can be quiet, it can be loud, but it ain't going to sound air cooled!!!!!
gblawson - TD#27667

Kelley,

If the owner wants original, you could probably sell the Douglass on eBay. You could also find a stock manifold there.

The stainless exhaust systems available will bolt right up to a stock manifold. The twin Douglass will require custom fabrication.

Good luck!
Evan
Evan Ford - TD 27621

To Kelley -- Hank Rippert <fairwind@carolina.rr.com> has one of those manifolds on TD 8888. I didn't notice that it sounded much different but he said it had a bit better get-up-and-go.
Cheers,
Bob
R. K. (Bob) Jeffers

Hello all and thanks for your comments.

I should further expand on the clients concerns the mgtf would sound like a VW. I don't think the Douglass header changed the sound all that much alone, but the car did have the custom head pipe and a muffler looking like an old Cherry Bomb (remember those?).

It did sound different and not too pleasing. I have heard many MG's that sound well, wrong. Maybe a mix of VW and just a bad exhuast sound. Experiments like cheap Cherry Bombs or any off the shelf resonator for a muffler don't always work out.

I agree you can't really replicate that air-cooled sound of a VW even if you put effort into it. A warm and comforting tone however, reminding me of childhood trips in the bug.

We'll have to turn this decision over to the client and see if he'd rather spend the money on another manifold or to customize a head pipe into a stock style exhaust system.

If it were me, I'd keep the spunkier Douglass on it.

Thanks Folks,
Killer
Kelley Purdum

This thread was discussed between 17/11/2006 and 21/11/2006

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