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2.3L ('83-'97) Questions about cylinder head dowels 2.3L


ForgedCrank

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 30, 2024
Messages
185
City
Indianapolis, IN
Vehicle Year
1994
Engine
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
I got myself in a pickle (again) and wanted to draw on advice if anyone has any to share.
I've lost one of the cylinder head alignment dowels for this thing and I'm full stop again and can't put this head on now. I've torn the place apart and it's not revealing itself. I could have left it stuck in the head when I sent it to the machine shop but I can't be sure (they returned the head with one dowel tied to the head). I'm pretty sure I just lost it here in the shop or something, it may have even gotten accidentally dumped in the trash weeks ago for all I know.
Anyway, none of the box auto parts stores have them and they can't even look it up. I found a Felpro part number, (ES 74011), but I can't find any verification that it is the correct one since they don't list the dimensions.
Do you guys happen to know if this is a common Ford part used on other engines, info that I can use to see if anyone might happen to have these in stock?
I do have one of them that I can measure, but it looks like I have to order this thing and I can't even find the part in the Ford shop manual to get a Ford part number.
I've never installed a head without using the pins, so I'm guessing it is ill-advised to not use them.
Anyway, any advice on cross referenced part numbers or engine applications?

1994 2.3L
 
Per "Fel-Pro Expert" via https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fel-es74011:



Per RockAuto listing for dowel pin for this engine (but not available):



Both OD and length fit into range according to those numbers. You can measure your remaining stock one to compare.

Dang, if it was a snake, it woulda bit me. I read that summit description before and didn't scroll all the way down, the dimensions are right there.
Thanks!
 
I've made them out of CO2 cylinders for pellet guns before, just cut tubes and trimmed the diameter with a file until they fit tight... pretty sure that's what I'm running in my '90 now...
 
I've made them out of CO2 cylinders for pellet guns before, just cut tubes and trimmed the diameter with a file until they fit tight... pretty sure that's what I'm running in my '90 now...

I didn't think about that. Not sure what size they are. I was digging around here looking for some sort of tubing that would work as a stand-in but couldn't find anything close enough. I'd buy a small lathe and mill for times like this, but I just can't justify the space and expense for the rare occasions that I need something like this. It makes me itch sometimes, we always had a lathe and mill in dad's farm shop back in the day. It was nice to just be able to walk in there and make what you needed on demand. My workshop is way too small for anything like that, and I just plain wouldn't use it often enough to make it worth having.
 
For what it would need to work some short pieces of 3/4" copper tubing would work fine with some hack saw and file trimming... believe me, I'm with ya, I have room for some things and do have a bench top lathe but also am into pellet guns so had some CO2 carts around that were empty and that was way faster than anything else I could have done...
 
I thought I had a couple come with a gasket set once, not sure as its been about 7 years.
 
i accidentally dropped mine down the oil or coolant passage on the top left corner, thought it was where it went and nooooo it fell all the way down. tried to fish it out with a magnet and inspection camera but no luck.
i left it in there. whats the probability of it becoming an issue? lol
 

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