I used the gaskets that came with the OBX's. Also the only hardware that is included is the EGR tube and the two bolts and nuts to attach the two parts of the driver's side header. There are NO manifold bolts or collector bolts included. Fortunately Kris had a set lying around for use on his extra set of TM's that worked perfectly. They are a PITA to get on, fortunately I didn't have to put them on INSIDE the engine bay.
What is a little maddening is that this engine has been through 3 intake manifolds. First one an upper intake bolt broke off in it last year during diagnosis, the second had the wrong bolt put in the fuel rail tab and it snapped off in that one too. (too long, found out it was the same bolt that is used for the CPS,
), tried to use an EZ out but it just wound up splitting the boss. Fortunately Kris had another spare in his cavernous shed of Explorer parts (I'm not kidding, they have a whole 50 foot cargo container full of parts. There is so much in there they even
they don't know what they have!) so out came the old one and I de-greased and painted the new one.
If there is anything I have learned from this whole debacle is that you must LABEL EVERYTHING!! (kind of have that playing in my head like the Nero character in the Star Trek movie reboot, "FIRE EVERYTHING!!". Yes I am a total geek
)
A hell of a lot of time was wasted finding the right bolts and parts in my giant bin labeled "Engine Stuff". Another big time sink is parts prep (clean, wire brush and paint). I spent
hours doing that to nearly every bolt, bracket and part you see in the pics.
I should have had everything vatted and powder coated...well at least vatted, powder coating is
expensive!
I am heading back up there this weekend to finish the install. I broke some vacuum lines on removal that I needed to replace and I still have to install the upper intake and get a battery. Then this beast will roar to life... or I will send a rod into space. Either way it will be worth the memory used in the video.
