Team Chepsk8
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- November 7, 2010
- Messages
- 114
- Reaction score
- 1
- City, State
- Easton PA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2001 Explorer Sport Trak
HOLY FREAKING $*$*%$*$ *(&&^ @#%^#$# &*)^)*&^ :thumbdwn: 
:thumbdwn:
What rocket scientist at Ford designed that?????
F'in A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What appeared and described as a straight forwards job turned into a major production. One of the three 6mm bolts that holds the housing to the intake manifold was frozen to the plastic housing, and would not budge. The head ended up entirely rounded, I even cut a slot into it, nothing would budge it.
I finally had to remove the alternator and bracket to get good access to that area, and using a small Dremel, grind off the head of the bolt. From there, had to slice the lower bypass hose, so I could then bend down the housing and the offending bolt, and finally got the housing off. DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As it turns out, the lower "gasket", or rubber band was leaking, as there was crud everywhere, and probably rose up the offending bolt, freezing it in the housing. Also ended up ruining the thermostat housing, so one on order. Also, there appears to be minor degredation of the aluminum material at the sealing point on the intake manifold. So, more smoothing with scotch-brite to get that smooth for a good mating surface. I will add a film of form-a-gasket to assist there, not trusting it.
Why could not Ford just go with a traditional housing? Yeah, I know, aluminum, non-mating materials, yadda yadda company bunk. Even just use traditional gaskets instead of that stupid lower rubber band. SHEESH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, the truck is all apart, dead for the overnight until the parts come in. I think I'll go work on Factory Five Cobra, it's so bloody simple, I wish I could drive that year round. It only breaks when I race it hard.
ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH to Ford.
OK, venting and spewing done, thanks for listening. I'll get it put back together, and give you the results.
I need a beer.......
:thumbdwn: What rocket scientist at Ford designed that?????
F'in A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What appeared and described as a straight forwards job turned into a major production. One of the three 6mm bolts that holds the housing to the intake manifold was frozen to the plastic housing, and would not budge. The head ended up entirely rounded, I even cut a slot into it, nothing would budge it.
I finally had to remove the alternator and bracket to get good access to that area, and using a small Dremel, grind off the head of the bolt. From there, had to slice the lower bypass hose, so I could then bend down the housing and the offending bolt, and finally got the housing off. DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As it turns out, the lower "gasket", or rubber band was leaking, as there was crud everywhere, and probably rose up the offending bolt, freezing it in the housing. Also ended up ruining the thermostat housing, so one on order. Also, there appears to be minor degredation of the aluminum material at the sealing point on the intake manifold. So, more smoothing with scotch-brite to get that smooth for a good mating surface. I will add a film of form-a-gasket to assist there, not trusting it.
Why could not Ford just go with a traditional housing? Yeah, I know, aluminum, non-mating materials, yadda yadda company bunk. Even just use traditional gaskets instead of that stupid lower rubber band. SHEESH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, the truck is all apart, dead for the overnight until the parts come in. I think I'll go work on Factory Five Cobra, it's so bloody simple, I wish I could drive that year round. It only breaks when I race it hard.
ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH to Ford.
OK, venting and spewing done, thanks for listening. I'll get it put back together, and give you the results.
I need a beer.......
