Question about my 5.0

[superdave1984]

I know I have seen this on here somewhere, but I have gotten brain damaged from looking. My 5.0 is out of an 85 Grand Marquis. Has the AOD trans. My question is about the piece of tubing that connects the heads in the rear of the engine. What's it for? It looks like it might cause a clearance issue.

 

[fordmike1]

Its a thermactor tube and its used to inject fresh air into the exhaust ports to help clean up the exhaust emissions.You can plug them off as it wont cause any driveability problems.

 

[superdave1984]

Best news I've heard today.

 

[Mac]

Same question comes up a lot of the Mustang sites. Some say they have used a spark plug, others said a pipe plug to block the ports off. The correct size is 5/8"-11, regular bolt will work, at least with my AFR heads.
Dave

 

[Psychopete]

Same question comes up a lot of the Mustang sites. Some say they have used a spark plug, others said a pipe plug to block the ports off. The correct size is 5/8"-11, regular bolt will work, at least with my AFR heads.
Dave

A friend of mine said that he used a spark plug in the back of his... (E7TE)

So I went to the hardware store with an old old spark plug, and got a bolt that matched. (For my GT40s)

Wrong size. I don't recall what mine ended up to be, but I found a bolt lying around that fit. 5/8" Sounds about right.

And on top of that, I thought that I'd be able to get the bolts/"plugs" in with the engine installed. Once I got to the driver's side plug;

Wrong again.

Pete

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

A friend of mine said that he used a spark plug in the back of his... (E7TE)

So I went to the hardware store with an old old spark plug, and got a bolt that matched. (For my GT40s)

Wrong size. I don't recall what mine ended up to be, but I found a bolt lying around that fit. 5/8" Sounds about right.

And on top of that, I thought that I'd be able to get the bolts/"plugs" in with the engine installed. Once I got to the driver's side plug;

Wrong again.

Pete

There are different sizes of spark plugs, and they are tapered so they won't screw into a regular tapped hole like a bolt will.

 

[Mac]

I know the ones in the AFR's are 5/8"-11 cause I had to buy thead adapters to get one head down to 7/16-14 to mount the front brackets. AFR wanted $15 apiece, picked up five for $15 from FastenAll. Ford wants $22 (I hope for a pair) for the plugs.
Dave

 

[baddad457]

If you need to retain that tube to pass emissions, get one from an E series Van. It doesn't wrap around the head like the Stang and Vic motors. The inlet is in the center between the heads.

 

[Mudhound]

After I screwed the bolts in tightly, I cut the head off to get a little more space on the back of the head. IF I ever have to mess with the "plug" I will most likely be throwing the heads in the scrapheap anyway, for a better head set. I am currently running the 6S heads, since the motor was free.