removed smog now ticking
 

I removed the smog stuff off the car over the weekend and I made a couple of plates out of some thin stainless steel. Im not really sure how thick it was but it was probably close to .050-.060 (maybe thicker). I put some bolts off the rearend into the upper hole to hold the cover in place. I started the car yesterday and I had a ticking on both sides. It sounds like a combination or valve tick and exhaust link. Were my plates the problem? Also If made them out of something thicker would it be enough to hold it back? I dont want to put bolts in the holes unless I have to. I dont think they are threaded.

RE: removed smog now ticking
 

These are the "thermactor plugs" that go in the
back of the head to plug those holes

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...p;autoview=sku

RE: removed smog now ticking
 

If I put something like that in there do I have to tap the head?

RE: removed smog now ticking
 

No there should be threads in the hole you probably just have carbon built up in there.

RE: removed smog now ticking
 

Read my write up on this subject. https://mustangforums.com/m_3101936/...tm.htm#3101936 I did the same thing you did, but used thicker plates. I came up with this as an alternative to using 5/8 bolts because there was so much carbon built up in the holes that there was no way I was gonna get them to thread in. I have been "busted on" about doing it the way I, did but I've have no problems with it and did that write up to give people another way of sealing those holes if they encounter heavy carbon in there and can't get the thermactor plugs to screw in.