Vintage racer manifold

[Robotstar5]

I've got these on my van, sizes 3/4"-1" and 2". We call them Mat unions.

I've always known them as navy unions they look the same?.

 

[cardiffrob]

Ouch! £200+.

 

[Pete.]

I think that when this car was being re-built and racer the owners would have used anything that came to hand, whatever the unlikely source. If you're going to fit a modern pipe union at least it would have the cast 'period' finish that would be fitting for the vehicle but you could equally make a part to suit. I think that the thread on a pipe fitting might be a trifle coarse for that screw coupling and prone to vibrating loose. If you were after true authenticity but had no details of the actual vehicle it would be worthwhile researching some of the competitor's cars to see what methods and materials they employed. It's very likely they would have all used similar techniques.

 

[dannyp]

what would have been used on steel water pipes at that time ?

 

[cardiffrob]

After some aggro deciding the dimensions and angle I've finally cut the templates out. I didn't realise that O-level Maths was ever going to be of any use, otherwise I would have bothered to remember some of it. Trying to scale it all from one solitary photo didn't help, either.

Tonight is cutting and welding night (Wife and kids going out!)