Hi PeterB76
I bought a complete stainless steel exhaust from P D Gough about two years ago and I have a story to tell.
There are two things that you need to be careful about:-
1. The stud pattern on the bottom of the exhaust manifolds, and
2. Clearance between the sump and the right hand side downpipe where it passes under the engine.
I have a 1974 E-suffix chassis V8 automatic P6. The P D Gough flanges would not fit my manifolds. The PCD for the studs on my manifolds is 72mm; Goughs supplied flanges with holes at 55mm PCD. Goughs' files list 55mm PCD as correct for an auto; 72mm PCD may be correct for a manual gearbox car ( although I have not been able to get to the bottom of this issue). The strange thing is that both of my cars (1974 runner and a 1976 automatic spares car) have 72mm PCD manifold studs! Measure your stud centreline separation distance and state it clearly in your order.
The right hand downpipe as supplied by Goughs cleared the sump by only a few millimetres. I was unable to fit a U-clamp. I used a jubilee-type clip, but the exhaust kept leaking. Goughs' design length from the bottom face of the manifold to the centreline of the exhaust as it passes under the sump is 257 mm. The actual length on the exhaust supplied to me was 205 mm --- 52mm short. This was why I had insufficient space to fit a U-clamp. The left downpipe was 37 mm short also, but was less of a problem.
The issue of the manifold studs I took on the chin, but I pressed Goughs about the clearance problem under the sump, and they supplied both front exhaust sections again completely free of charge, and with flanges to suit my manifolds. I think the incorrect downpipe lengths are just down to human error. I have to give Goughs credit for standing over their product by supplying the replacement sections.
The new sections are being fitted early next week, and I look forward to a quieter car.
Notwitstanding the problems, the exhaust is extremely well made, and has a real feel of quality. It's nice enough just to hang on the wall to look at!
I corresponded with Tony Byard of Goughs and found him to be a gentleman. I can recommend them, and I would buy from them again. They are rightly proud of their product, and I reckon the problem of downpipe length has been sorted in their factory, but CHECK YOUR MANIFOLD STUDS before ordering!!!
Regards,
John Larkin