Learn from my mistake

[Daniel Black]

To anyone in the middle of or thinking about a V8 swap, open up the heater plenum far enough to get the valve cover off if you ever need to. At the very least cut the plenum mounting stud closest to the head off flush with the nut. I know, it's exciting getting the motor in and getting it ready to run, tidying everything up. It's really coming together and you're burning through your checklist but take a step back and think about anything you might need to get to or take off in the future. I spent nearly 45 minutes with just a hacksaw blade cutting the stud off so the plenum could come out. I read all about the oil filter trick and patching the box but never thought anything about removal. Maybe this will save someone a headache in the future.

And yes I know I'm an idiot but I can't be the only idiot with a V8 Ranger.

 

[racsan]

Still not as bad as ford with their diesels (6.0?) that had egr/head gasket issues and you have to lift the body off the frame to pull the heads-and on a 3/4 ton truck.

 

[19Walt93]

Still not as bad as ford with their diesels (6.0?) that had egr/head gasket issues and you have to lift the body off the frame to pull the heads-and on a 3/4 ton truck.

That was the 6.4, not the 6.0. My diesel tech didn't think lifting a cab was a big deal- unless the truck had a bunch of aftermarket wiring and/or hydraulics and no bulk head fittings.

 

[19Walt93]

To anyone in the middle of or thinking about a V8 swap, open up the heater plenum far enough to get the valve cover off if you ever need to. At the very least cut the plenum mounting stud closest to the head off flush with the nut. I know, it's exciting getting the motor in and getting it ready to run, tidying everything up. It's really coming together and you're burning through your checklist but take a step back and think about anything you might need to get to or take off in the future. I spent nearly 45 minutes with just a hacksaw blade cutting the stud off so the plenum could come out. I read all about the oil filter trick and patching the box but never thought anything about removal. Maybe this will save someone a headache in the future.

And yes I know I'm an idiot but I can't be the only idiot with a V8 Ranger.

You're not an idiot, ever hear "hindsight is 20-20"?

 

[adsm08]

Still not as bad as ford with their diesels (6.0?) that had egr/head gasket issues and you have to lift the body off the frame to pull the heads-and on a 3/4 ton truck.

That was the 6.4, not the 6.0. My diesel tech didn't think lifting a cab was a big deal- unless the truck had a bunch of aftermarket wiring and/or hydraulics and no bulk head fittings.

Having played the role of junior assistant weekend diesel tech, and having had the opportunity to service heads on both engines, and having done the 6.0 both ways, I will say this:

If I only have to do one head (failed head casting or some such), I will leave a 6.0 cab on. Especially if it is the driver's side.

If I have to pull both heads (doing gaskets and what not) I will pull the cab every time. UNLESS there is some issue of rot/rust that has me concerned about getting the cab bolts out intact.

 

[svtcards]

To anyone in the middle of or thinking about a V8 swap, open up the heater plenum far enough to get the valve cover off if you ever need to. At the very least cut the plenum mounting stud closest to the head off flush with the nut. I know, it's exciting getting the motor in and getting it ready to run, tidying everything up. It's really coming together and you're burning through your checklist but take a step back and think about anything you might need to get to or take off in the future. I spent nearly 45 minutes with just a hacksaw blade cutting the stud off so the plenum could come out. I read all about the oil filter trick and patching the box but never thought anything about removal. Maybe this will save someone a headache in the future.

And yes I know I'm an idiot but I can't be the only idiot with a V8 Ranger.

So the bottom bolt and nut that holds heater box your talking about?bottom right corner of box? Im pretty close on dropping my v8 in.i might have to take a close look at that

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Body lift FTW

Then I had to change the water pump. Had to pull the grill to pull the Efan to pull the radiator to get the pivot bolt out to pull the alternator. Decided this is freaking stupid and had to fix that too (later)

 

[Daniel Black]

So the bottom bolt and nut that holds heater box your talking about?bottom right corner of box? Im pretty close on dropping my v8 in.i might have to take a close look at that

Yeah, if you're standing in front of the truck it's the bottom right stud.

 

[svtcards]

You cut it right off?

 

[Daniel Black]

You cut it right off?

As close as I could get it to the mounting nut with the valve cover in my way.

Mind the mess. After all the frustration getting the plenum off I took a seawall to it then threw some fiberglass on it. Looks terrible but it works, and the valve cover clears now.

 

[svtcards]

So u did all this because u wanted to take the heater box off after the engine was installed? or was it all for Valve cover clearance issues?

 

[Daniel Black]

With it all put together I couldn't get the valve cover off. Then with that plenum stud sticking out so far the plenum couldn't come out far enough to get it off because the plenum was hitting the valve cover. Everything was stuck.

 

[Daniel Black]

I should also add that everyone should go ahead and spend the money on a nice oil filter relocation kit. I'm on cheap filter housing #3 and it still leaks around the oil filter gasket, like the flange itself isn't flat.

 

[svtcards]

What brand relocators have u used so far?trans dapt?

 

[Daniel Black]

What brand relocators have u used so far?trans dapt?

I had the TransDapt kit first but it leaked around the threads. Maybe I cracked it or it's a fluke deal because I still have the TransDapt block adapter and it doesn't leak. Next was a Summit brand housing and now a Perm-a-cool housing and they both leak around the filter gasket. I'd guess after 3 kits and switching to hydraulic hoses I could've bought a really nice kit.