Examining the head.

[RPMustang]

Ok, the head has arrived. While we're waiting on some of the other parts to come in I've been examining the head and have a question...

What are the are there 5 tapped holes in the head below the exaust ports? They go into the water jacket. Am I supposed to do something with them or should I just plug them? Obviously the front one by the water neck will be where I attach the heater hose.

Thanks,
Lance

 

[Mustang_Geezer]

Lance,

The 5 tapped holes do indeed go into the water jacket. You will need to go to the hardware store and get 5 threaded plugs to screw into them. Make sure to dab a bit of pipe dope on them to prevent leaks.

Later,

 

[AzCoupe]

Most aluminum heads use pipe plugs, because they have less chance of leaking. However you can have a machine shop punch out the holes and install freeze plugs if you prefer. To my knowledge this has been done only once. The owner lives in an apartment complex (no garage), in the extreme Northeast, so he felt it was good insurance in his case.

 

[Broncitis]

I used recessed hex brass plugs, looks nice and doesn't ever rust with permatex # 2 for sealant, I have always felt if anything is that hard to get off of anything as that stuff is, it has to be good, been using it for 35 years. Victor or felpro, follow torque pattern, get to final spec and call it good, I have heard the wait time between sequence to redo final torque the next day, I can assure you beyond a doubt that the most important thing is the true of both surfaces coming together and put nothing on either of these gaskets. Mike hows it looking for some MLS in the future, besides 10 grand just to get started.

 

[Ronbo]

Quit lookin' at it and get 'er done!!!

Sorry. its Friday

 

[RPMustang]

Thanks Mike, I'll run to the H.W. store this weekend and pick up some pipe plugs that fit.

Ronbo, I'd LOVE to stop looking at it, but I'm still waiting on Mike to ship me out the gasket set for it. (head, intake, exhaust).

The Autolite 2100 from Pony carbs arrived a couple of days ago. I'm going to have to fab something up for the kickdown cable since the carb doesn't have a place to attach the kickdown cable to.

I'm thinking I can use a Mr. Gasket # 1523 universal bellcrank. Run the lokar accelerator cable & kickdown cable to it, then run a threaded rod with heim joints at each end from the bellcrank to the carburetor.

Anyone have any better ideas?

Thanks,
Lance.

 

[Ronbo]

Heh heh, I just sent Mike an e-mail this morning and its ironic that I'd said "I'd rather just look at it on the bench" (Oz head, worked over). I want the moment to last I guess. Good luck with yours and I'll be watching (as I'm sure many others will) for the end results!

Take care,
Ron

 

[RPMustang]

Thanks Ron,

I'll be sure and keep everyone posted when we get to the install (hopefully) next weekend if the gaskets arrive by then...

(Hint.. Hint.. Mike, you listening? I have Friday the 3rd off and it would sure be nice to fire up that engine on the 4th of July! :USA: arty: ).

I plan on including LOTS of pictures of every step of the installation from multiple angles.

I'll try to include everything from removing the old head, to hooking up the carb on the new intake manifold.

Lance

 

[Ronbo]

That would be an awesome post! My son (10 years old) wants my car but really has no desire to work on it (yet ).


Ron