[slipp1229]

A little help please, I'm lost

I just replaced my Ford valve covers with
polished ones. Also removed and painted the intake and throttle body. Everything seemed to go back smoothly ... Tried to start her up... uh oh! Motor just revs real high for a split second and then stalls out.
1) I tried disconnecting throttle cable thinking it was holding open, still no luck.
2) Checked all vacuume lines and electrical was hooked back up correctly
I'm stumped.. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance
Slipp

 

[jshrake]

Aftermarket "Cobra" valve covers are slightly taller than the stock valve covers. If you're running a 5.0 EFI motor and installed "Cobra" valve covers then the upper plenium of the intake will rest on the passenger side valve cover and cause vacuum leaks between the upper and lower intake pleniums. Remedy by installing a plenium spacer or just grind down where the plenium is hitting the valve cover.

 

[Todd Buttrick]

I also had to modify and move the throttle cable bracket that mounts to the EGR spacer which could cause the manifold from seating on the other side. Check this and the vacuum tee port on the other side as jshrake suggested. I ground a 45 deg edge on the tee connector to clear the cover. Let us know.

 

[slipp1229]

Thanks guys.. this might be it!

I just checked my intake plenum clearance....
the passanger side is fine but the DRIVER side looks like there is some contact...
Did you mean the driver side..not "passenger"?

Slipp

 

[weendoggy]

Yes, the driver's (left) side. The plenum will hit unless you use the EFI covers and even then I'd put a short intake spacer in. I'm using the Cobra intake with a 3/8" spacer.

 

[slipp1229]

Thanks! Got it!
Now some maybe stupid questions.. What's a "spacer" ??
1)Is it better to use a spacer or grind down the valve covers (can't see the grinding under the intake ...right?)
2) If I go the spacer route, where do I purchase them? Summit-JEGS ?
Thanks guys
Slipp

 

[Wayne Presley]

The spacer is a block between the upper and lower manifold to reduce the heating of the upper manifold and to give clearance for the tall valve covers.

 

[Russ Thompson]

Slipp, Summit has them.

 

[teamfour]

There are two different kinds of spacers: with or without the EGR port hole. Make sure you get the right one for your application.

 

[jshrake]

Thanx to ToddButtrick for clarifying potential contact problems. The passenger side valve cover tends to hit the throttle cable bracket and the drivers side valve cover tends to hit the vacuum tee bracket. Looks like you've checked clearance on both. Great advice from all on this issue. Forums like this make the build a great experience.

 

[cobramd]

You can get away with either the 3/8 or the 1" spacer. I run the 1" and find it opens things up around the area and solves alot of clearance issues. no problem with top clearance either.

 

[Ophitoxaemia]

the throttle bracket can hit the valve cover. most people slot the holes so it can slide up.

check you can slip a piece of paper between the bracket and valve cover.

-james

 

[slipp1229]

Thanks problem solved,
Last questions... Those who have ground down the valve covers, What did you use (cutoff tool etc), and how deep did you grind?
Would you do it again, or buy the spacer?...
3/8" or 1" ?
Thanks
Slipp

 

[RacingRob]

Don't grind the valve cover, grind the vacume fitting on the bottom of the upper intake. I belive there's enough meat on it. I ended up going with a 3/8 spacer.
Rob

 

[slipp1229]

Any successful valve cover or upper intake grinders out there?...
Is grinding down for clearance a viable option OR is the Summit $50 spacer the only solution?
Thanks
Slipp

 

[David Santi]

Grinding works just fine, I did the same thing.

Dave

 

[Todd Buttrick]

slipp,

Just in case you may have missed the easier solution here. You can do this mod for zero dollars and little effort. There is a small "T" vacuum line on the driver side under the upper plenum. All you need to do is grind it down a little (pic1) and it will clear the valve cover. The passenger side will interfere with the throttle bracket. Drill or elongate the holes (pic2) on this bracket to reposition it upwards and you're done.

 

[Gatorac]

Nice work Todd. A picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[dpmac]

Wow Todd! You carpeted the underside of your intake! Looks great. Is it ScotchGuarded? What kind of pile? What are the expected HP gains?

 

[slipp1229]

All Clear and DONE!
Thanks all for the help...
Gotta love this!
Slipp