EFI For Big Blue

[85lebaront2]

Ok. Got it. Thanks.

Any comments on the fuel rail question? Or, maybe I should say the fuel pressure regulator question?

Gary, once you are back in a powder coating mode, I have spare late lower plenum and a fairly clean Chrysler "turbo" valve cover.

[Gary Lewis]

Gary, once you are back in a powder coating mode, I have spare late lower plenum and a fairly clean Chrysler "turbo" valve cover.

I'll email you when the time comes. My plans are really up in the air at the moment. We pick the kids up about midnight tonight and we'll see how things go in Nicaragua over the next few days.

[85lebaront2]

I'll email you when the time comes. My plans are really up in the air at the moment. We pick the kids up about midnight tonight and we'll see how things go in Nicaragua over the next few days.

Understood on that, I have no problem with family coming first.

[Gary Lewis]

Understood on that, I have no problem with family coming first.

Bill - The idle speed adjustment procedure is now here: Fuel Systems/Carburetors, Chokes, & EFI/EFI Idle Speed Adjustment

[Gary Lewis]

Bill - The idle speed adjustment procedure is now here: Fuel Systems/Carburetors, Chokes, & EFI/EFI Idle Speed Adjustment

Jim/ArdWrknTrk contacted me to say that he has the valve covers I need for Big Blue. They are the later ones with the screw-in PCV valve and large o-ring. Unfortunately they are somewhat corroded, so it looks like I'm going to use a new-to-me powder - Black Wrinkle. (Sorry Jim. I know you call it black crinkle, but that's what Eastwood calls it.) I know that's Jim's favorite finish for valve covers, so was pretty sure he'd agree.

I'm thinking that will hide the texture the covers will have due to the corrosion. And, it'll give some contrast to the Silver Lining (bright aluminum look) of the upper and lower plenums. In fact, I think I'll use that powder on the throttle body, fuel rails, and thermostat housing as well.

And, speaking of the thermostat housing, I spent some time filing the gasket surface this afternoon and still have some work to do as Huck's housing was pitted.

Also, you may remember that I twisted off one bolt in the lower plenum when removing the t-stat housing on Huck. I got to thinking about that today and decided I want to go with stainless when I put Big Blue together this round. So I sent Totally Stainless a note to see what they have for the EFI engines. Their web page says they have kits for Ford big blocks with "cast valve covers" as well as kits for them with "sheet metal valve covers". I'm pretty sure I know what they mean, but asked them to make sure.

I also asked about stainless exhaust manifold bolts. They list header bolt kits for the 460, but not kits for exhaust manifolds, which I plan to run. So I measured the existing bolts and studs and asked what they have. I'm thinking I may display them at the show.

 

[Gary Lewis]

Jim/ArdWrknTrk contacted me to say that he has the valve covers I need for Big Blue. They are the later ones with the screw-in PCV valve and large o-ring. Unfortunately they are somewhat corroded, so it looks like I'm going to use a new-to-me powder - Black Wrinkle. (Sorry Jim. I know you call it black crinkle, but that's what Eastwood calls it.) I know that's Jim's favorite finish for valve covers, so was pretty sure he'd agree.

I'm thinking that will hide the texture the covers will have due to the corrosion. And, it'll give some contrast to the Silver Lining (bright aluminum look) of the upper and lower plenums. In fact, I think I'll use that powder on the throttle body, fuel rails, and thermostat housing as well.

And, speaking of the thermostat housing, I spent some time filing the gasket surface this afternoon and still have some work to do as Huck's housing was pitted.

Also, you may remember that I twisted off one bolt in the lower plenum when removing the t-stat housing on Huck. I got to thinking about that today and decided I want to go with stainless when I put Big Blue together this round. So I sent Totally Stainless a note to see what they have for the EFI engines. Their web page says they have kits for Ford big blocks with "cast valve covers" as well as kits for them with "sheet metal valve covers". I'm pretty sure I know what they mean, but asked them to make sure.

I also asked about stainless exhaust manifold bolts. They list header bolt kits for the 460, but not kits for exhaust manifolds, which I plan to run. So I measured the existing bolts and studs and asked what they have. I'm thinking I may display them at the show.

Doing a lot of cleaning and putting away in the shop in an effort to get back on Dad's truck. But, as I find things I sometimes work on them a bit so they are closer to being ready to go when the time comes to EFI, which I think will be immediately after the show. One of those things that I worked on today was the thermostat housing. As said, Huck's was pitted and the one on Big Blue isn't to my taste, so I worked most of the pits out with a file and sandpaper. It isn't perfect, but it is plenty good enough.

And, while working on the mating surface I realized that there were some really sharp edges inside that would disrupt the coolant flow, so I used the Dremel to smooth them out. And, while the Dremel was out, I cleaned up the parting lines outside. Then, when the mating surface was good enough I put it away in a baggie in a tote - ready to be powder coated when the time comes.

Then I realized that the radiator support needs to be ready when the time comes, and it certainly isn't. If you don't remember, the "mechanics" that Vernon found in Florida hacked the core support up when they installed the engine oil cooler. It is just amazing that they did it the way they did it, but did it they did, so I have to replace the core support. Fortunately Jonathan brought me one last Sept, and the only minor problem it has is a few small cracks. I plan to weld up the cracks this week, and then take it up to John, my paint/body man, who will have it media blasted and then will paint it a satin black.

Now if I could get Core Tuning to call me so I can buy their package I'd just about be ready to DO IT!

[Gary Lewis]

Doing a lot of cleaning and putting away in the shop in an effort to get back on Dad's truck. But, as I find things I sometimes work on them a bit so they are closer to being ready to go when the time comes to EFI, which I think will be immediately after the show. One of those things that I worked on today was the thermostat housing. As said, Huck's was pitted and the one on Big Blue isn't to my taste, so I worked most of the pits out with a file and sandpaper. It isn't perfect, but it is plenty good enough.

And, while working on the mating surface I realized that there were some really sharp edges inside that would disrupt the coolant flow, so I used the Dremel to smooth them out. And, while the Dremel was out, I cleaned up the parting lines outside. Then, when the mating surface was good enough I put it away in a baggie in a tote - ready to be powder coated when the time comes.

Then I realized that the radiator support needs to be ready when the time comes, and it certainly isn't. If you don't remember, the "mechanics" that Vernon found in Florida hacked the core support up when they installed the engine oil cooler. It is just amazing that they did it the way they did it, but did it they did, so I have to replace the core support. Fortunately Jonathan brought me one last Sept, and the only minor problem it has is a few small cracks. I plan to weld up the cracks this week, and then take it up to John, my paint/body man, who will have it media blasted and then will paint it a satin black.

Now if I could get Core Tuning to call me so I can buy their package I'd just about be ready to DO IT!

Worked yesterday on the radiator support. There were several small cracks and I used a narrow cutting wheel on the Dremel to open them up for welding. I'm not sure that was a good idea as that made it even easier to blow a hole in the metal - and that metal sure is thin and easy to blow holes in. But I finally got the welder dialed in and have most of the cracks welded up and hope to finish them tomorrow. And then I'll take it up to John for him to have media blasted and then he'll paint it satin black.

And the valve covers came in from Jim/ArdWrknTrk today. I haven't had a chance to compare, but they look quite a bit different than the ones off Huck's engine. But tomorrow I'll run them through the parts washer and maybe get a chance to media blast them a bit to see how they'll clean up.

[Gary Lewis]

Worked yesterday on the radiator support. There were several small cracks and I used a narrow cutting wheel on the Dremel to open them up for welding. I'm not sure that was a good idea as that made it even easier to blow a hole in the metal - and that metal sure is thin and easy to blow holes in. But I finally got the welder dialed in and have most of the cracks welded up and hope to finish them tomorrow. And then I'll take it up to John for him to have media blasted and then he'll paint it satin black.

And the valve covers came in from Jim/ArdWrknTrk today. I haven't had a chance to compare, but they look quite a bit different than the ones off Huck's engine. But tomorrow I'll run them through the parts washer and maybe get a chance to media blast them a bit to see how they'll clean up.

As said, the valve covers that Jim pulled from the 1995 F450 came in last night. I ran them through the parts washer this morning to get the goo off, and they came out nice and clean. And then I put the more-corroded one in the blast cabinet to see how it would clean up. Here's a shot of it with its brother that hasn't been blasted. I'm quite pleased as there's enough texture for the powder to grab but not enough to show through the powder. I'm still going with wrinkle/crinkle black, but I'm not sure it would be necessary.

As for the differences between the early and late 460 EFI valve covers, here's a shot of the early ones above and the late ones below. Easily seen is the grommet for the push-in PCV valve on the early cover vs the screw-in PCV valve on the later one. There are at least two other differences. One that is visible in this shot is that the little "lands" that the wire retainers go into, shown in the top left of the shot, are bigger on the earlier covers. And, those holes on the later covers are tapped 8-1.25mm while the early ones aren't tapped.

Here's a shot of the other difference, although you really can't tell in the pic. Anyway, the groove for the o-ring is deeper on the later valve covers. Here are the measurements:

• Early Covers: .162" wide x .162" deep (E7TE-6583-EE & E7TE-6583-EE)

• Late Covers: .162" wide x .234" deep (F5TE-6582-BA & F5TE-6A505-DA)

[Gary Lewis]

As said, the valve covers that Jim pulled from the 1995 F450 came in last night. I ran them through the parts washer this morning to get the goo off, and they came out nice and clean. And then I put the more-corroded one in the blast cabinet to see how it would clean up. Here's a shot of it with its brother that hasn't been blasted. I'm quite pleased as there's enough texture for the powder to grab but not enough to show through the powder. I'm still going with wrinkle/crinkle black, but I'm not sure it would be necessary.

As for the differences between the early and late 460 EFI valve covers, here's a shot of the early ones above and the late ones below. Easily seen is the grommet for the push-in PCV valve on the early cover vs the screw-in PCV valve on the later one. There are at least two other differences. One that is visible in this shot is that the little "lands" that the wire retainers go into, shown in the top left of the shot, are bigger on the earlier covers. And, those holes on the later covers are tapped 8-1.25mm while the early ones aren't tapped.

Here's a shot of the other difference, although you really can't tell in the pic. Anyway, the groove for the o-ring is deeper on the later valve covers. Here are the measurements:

• Early Covers: .162" wide x .162" deep (E7TE-6583-EE & E7TE-6583-EE)

• Late Covers: .162" wide x .234" deep (F5TE-6582-BA & F5TE-6A505-DA)

Have been doing some searching for gaskets, and drilled down on the Fel-Pro site to this page for a 1995 Super Duty w/a 460. As it turns out, there's a different valve cover gasket/o-ring for trucks under 8500 GVW (VS 50067) as opposed to trucks over 8500 GVW (VS 50474 R).

I'm going to guess that the valve covers with the deeper groove take the over 8500 o-ring and the shallow groove take the under 8500 o-ring. Boy, it sure would be nice to have the 1990 - 99 master parts catalog so I could look these things up.

[Ford F834]

As said, the valve covers that Jim pulled from the 1995 F450 came in last night. I ran them through the parts washer this morning to get the goo off, and they came out nice and clean. And then I put the more-corroded one in the blast cabinet to see how it would clean up. Here's a shot of it with its brother that hasn't been blasted. I'm quite pleased as there's enough texture for the powder to grab but not enough to show through the powder. I'm still going with wrinkle/crinkle black, but I'm not sure it would be necessary.

As for the differences between the early and late 460 EFI valve covers, here's a shot of the early ones above and the late ones below. Easily seen is the grommet for the push-in PCV valve on the early cover vs the screw-in PCV valve on the later one. There are at least two other differences. One that is visible in this shot is that the little "lands" that the wire retainers go into, shown in the top left of the shot, are bigger on the earlier covers. And, those holes on the later covers are tapped 8-1.25mm while the early ones aren't tapped.

Here's a shot of the other difference, although you really can't tell in the pic. Anyway, the groove for the o-ring is deeper on the later valve covers. Here are the measurements:

• Early Covers: .162" wide x .162" deep (E7TE-6583-EE & E7TE-6583-EE)

• Late Covers: .162" wide x .234" deep (F5TE-6582-BA & F5TE-6A505-DA)

I’m glad Jim had the right valve covers for you Gary!