Spring and flap on exhaust manifold?

[XP29]

On my passenger side manifold there is a flap connected to a heat sensitive spring. I'm presuming it's to keep the heat in the area for warm up. Mine has been fine but last couple of times I have taken it out the spring does not seem to be doing its job anymore and the flap is just rattling around making a hell of a racket! Everything seems to be in place and the only recent thing that has happened in that area is I replaced the exhaust gaskets that broke up. Do these coil springs just stop working? I tried turning the spring round a turn to tighten it up but this seemed to close the flap inside up restricting exhaust flow. This is just a google pic I found but it's the thing at bottom of the photo.

[XP29]

This is mine, this is what's making all the noise rattling around. For now I was going to some how fasten/bolt the thing in the open position.

[latil]

Most generally chop it out and get rid,either weld up the holes or tap out and put in stubby bolts.

[XP29]

Most generally chop it out and get rid,either weld up the holes or tap out and put in stubby bolts.

Ah, thanks for letting me know. It's not serving much purpose other than making a horrible noise at the moment

[MilesnMiles]

Stubby bolts that's what I did in the past.

[MattH]

I took mine out before fitting headers. i thinkit diverts the exhaust gasses across the inlet to warm it up, but from your valley pan thread you have blocked the inlet so this flap will have too much pressure on it now, as the exhaust gases cant get across to the other side. Keep it wired open or remove entirely.

[XP29]

Cheers guys, I'm going to figure a way of holding it open, looks like I could put a bolt in that thing on the outside that will hold it put without needing to put any holes in anything or taking bits off