heads/crossover pipe

settled4automatic · 04-20-2006, 08:51 PM

i'm looking to take out my crossover pipe that goes to the backs of my heads -- has anybody done this?? if so, what did you stick in there to plug it?? i did a search on here and found -- "grade 8 allen bolts, 3/8 in diameter, not fine thread" -- well, i went by the hardware store and didn't see any allen bolts that were grade 8, they just had grade 2...

i guess my main problem is, how do i know that sticking a bolt in the back of my head won't go too far and make nasty, nasty love to one of my valves in there?? cause honestly, that'd piss me off purdy good.

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settled4automatic · 04-20-2006, 11:05 PM

bump...

ricepatrol · 04-20-2006, 11:42 PM

Supposedly there's a part number for a ford part, called "thermactor plugs", did you see that in the search? I tried using the bolt sizes that I found on our board, but they were so carboned up, that no matter what I did there was no way I was getting a bolt in there. With that said, you can take an easier route. Cut the crossover pipe up. Take the ends that actually mate up to the holes in the heads, and cut those pieces out (they're thick, shaped like camshaft lobes) And simply flip them over, so that the side that doesn't have a hole, is blocking the port. This way you don't actually need to find a bolt, you just reuse the one's that existed beforehand.

settled4automatic · 04-21-2006, 11:05 PM

so i cut the pipe that leads into the heads, and flip them around??? did you weld them to cover the holes from the bolts or what?? i don't understand how you cut/flipped the pipe here i guess.. something simple i'm not understanding

Tims 88GT · 04-21-2006, 11:06 PM

i tried to get the plugs from ford. they said they dont make anything like that. you need a 5/8 11thread bolt. cut the bolt so there is only 4 or 5 threads and put it in the back of the head.

ricepatrol · 04-22-2006, 12:27 AM

Yeah it's really hard to convey by words, check out this microsoft paint picture I drew for you

This is free, and you don't have to worry about the carbon if that's an issue

[IMG]local://upfiles/15172/D4B1DF02A83A49298CC2A525029526F5.jpg[/IMG]

settled4automatic · 04-22-2006, 04:04 AM

haha, ok i think i've got just a little bit better idea of what you're talking about. BUT, i think i'm just gonna have to pull that crossover pipe out and see what i'm dealing with, maybe i'll take your lil picture out with me :P

Liquid_02 · 04-22-2006, 04:36 AM

4 or 5 threads? I put a 3/4 inch long bolt in there and put silicone on the threads. I don't remember what size it was, i did this when it was on a stand last fall. Grade doesn't matter either, you aren't going to be putting 100lbs of torque on that bolt, just make it fairly tight, mine's probably around 20lbs. Didn't even look at the grade of the bolt when I got them, just walked down the street and picked 2 up and walked back and put them in. I would suggest running a tap through the holes to clean out all the carbon though.

settled4automatic · 04-22-2006, 04:43 AM

i haven't had the valve covers off my heads, but do you know how long of a bolt i could stick in there safely?? i don't wanna hit a valve

Tims 88GT · 04-22-2006, 01:59 PM

it does not need to be that long. if the motor is in the car its going to be hard to get a 3/4inch bolt in the back of the heads. you could stick a bolt in there as far as it would go and u will never hit a valve.