Jumped off into the 3.0

[88workcar]

I keep getting error codes due to a broken bolt on the exhaust manifold. It is either blowing out or sucking air in and showing a lean code. I have been dealing with it until last week. I have a injector or two that have failed or plugged up. I tore this thing down, I have ordered new Ford injectors. I pulled the head to drill out and repair the broken bolt. Come to find out I have one on each side broken. While it's down I decided to port the heads, intake and exhaust manifolds. I am not keeping this motor so I did not order headers.
I have come to the understanding that not much improvement will be made. I will say upfront that the lower intake and exhaust manifolds are more of the lack of power issues than the heads are. The heads are hopeless by design. If a guy was really determined replacing the valves to a race style would also help. I am simply entertaining myself with this and I will also wrap these manifolds to help to keep head down under the hood till I do my replacement swap. I have ET and speed numbers from when the truck was running it's best. I will check for improvements when done. I will also post pictures of the porting work.

 

[Dirtman]

Did they measure your ET with a sun dial?

 

[88workcar]

A step above that lol, it's called a V-Box

 

[19Walt93]

Don't wrap the manifolds, they already hold too much heat. The key is a freer flowing exhaust to get the heat out quicker. I'd make sure the face of the manifold is flat, if it's warped the fix will be temporary. Stainless steel manifold bolts stand up to heat better- that's how Ford fixed the 302/351 manifold bolt problem in the 80's and the 5.4/6.8's in more recent years. Unfortunately if a stainless bolt ever breaks you'll need a cobalt bit to drill it out.

 

[88workcar]

Just cause we are in the moment with this, I think I saw where gutting the cats was useless? What's the thought here? Also in factory form, the passenger side manifold is less restrictive.

 

[Dirtman]

The stock exhaust flows better than the heads ever can. So the only thing gutting the cats will do for you is cause a constant check engine light.

 

[8thTon]

From what I have read the heads have decent ports, and they look appropriate in pictures I've seen, so I'm not sure where the restrictive heads idea comes from. They're only 2-valve so there are certainly limitations. My 3.0 makes exactly 3/4 the power of an SOHC 4.0, so it's hard to imagine the heads are a restriction.

 

[88workcar]

A few before it's final