installing a lintel into fireplace help

[vik2001]

i need to install a lintel into a fireplace on the ground floor chimney.
plan is to install a plasma onto the chimney.

at the moment the fireplace is opened up and there is a arched row of bricks supported by a curved iron strip. this needs to come out as the lintel needs to be lower down...

whats the best way of installing the concrete lintel?? i dont have a acro, can i use timber supports? if so how?
obviously the plan is to have the iron strip out, lintel installed without the above bricks falling down

thanks guys

 

[noseall]

It is likely the bricks will stay once the iron former is removed.

 

[Chukka63]

ditto nose.there should be ample brickwork in there to hold itself up with no problems.

 

[vik2001]

thanks guys
when installing the lintel, do i have to use any sort of engineering bricks, or can i just place it onto the existing bricks?

 

[gday2uk]

this needs to come out as the lintel needs to be lower down...

If you are in fact reducing the opening then why don't you just stud it out and plasterboard it up? A lot easier / cheaper / quicker.....

 

[vik2001]

gday a good idea, but as i want to put a plasma behind it, i want it to be solid, hence i want to brick it up.
otherwise a stud wud have been good

 

[gday2uk]

Just put studs / noggins where the tv bracket screw holes will be.
As for taking the existing lintel out I don't see why you need to?
Just cut out and put new lintel between cheeks of breast and build up off of that to meet existing arch, cut bricks and fill with mortar as required.

 

[vik2001]

gday the exisiting iron lintel is coming out, because its been built out as a arch in front of the chimney. imagine the chimney hole and then another small extension of the chimney hole in front of it made of bricks.
so it sits forward in front of the chimney and not in line with it, if that makes sense. i want the chimney to be flush, and get rid of the fireplace made in front of the chimney as it protudes forward.

the original chimney arch behind this, has no irorn strap support, so thought it be a good idea to place a lentil in

i will do as u say place the lentil where i want and build up from it
thanks

 

[gday2uk]

Ah - I see