It is important to install the exhaust pipe support brackets, items 22 and 23. The short strap will be horizontal and attaches to the nearest bellhousing bolt. The longer strap runs upward tothe next bellhousing bolt above the short horizontal strap. The two straps attach to the welded "L" bracket on the exhaust pipe with 1/2-inch bolt, flat washer, lock washer, and hex nut.

The shorter horizontal strap is very useful in keeping the pipe in correct relation to the engine when the engine shakes about on the rubber mounts. Without this strap it is common to break the bottom flange of the iron manifold (see following articles). Even if it doesn't break the flange, constant shaking of the pipe will eventually loosen the donut seal resulting in exhaust leak at this joint (and possibly losing the attachment nuts).

I have experienced short life (frequent breaking) for the short horizontal strap in original configuration. Doubling up on the short strap (using two in place of one) seems to solve that problem. Otherwise make a new one from 1/8-in (3-mm) thick steel strap, good forever. The longer strap may or may not help, but only if it is in tension. In compression the longer strap buckle. I delete it and use a thicker short strap.

Notice below that the new fabricated short strap is both thicker and wider than the original one.

Photo below is original style parts. The short strap is 3/4" wide x 2-3/4" long x 0.075" thick (same 14-gauge steel used for most of the MGA chassis frame) with 11/32" holes 2" center to center. The long strap is 3/4" wide x 7-5/16" long x 0.075" thick with with 11/32" holes 6-9/16" center to center. The slotted hole is to allow for mislignment of the welded bracket on the pipe.