Gumball
09-02-2015, 11:37 AM
As part of my recent debugging and tuning work, I addressed some additional issues, including persistent leaks from the valve covers (big block covers on adapter plates). In my recent post on debugging, I talked about fixing some minor issues with the distributor, plug wires, and carburetor as part of squeezing better performance out of my car.
Although I really liked the big block appearance, the adapter plates were nothing but a seepage and leak headache for me and I was tired of the process of pulling it all apart, cleaning it, and reinstalling – only to have the upper or lower gaskets start leaking again within a few hundred miles. The method of bolting the adapter plates in place makes it hard to retighten them without removing the covers – which in my opinion is too much for something that is just an appearance mod and not a functional. So, for both convenience and reliability, I decided to replace those covers with the traditional small block “Cobra Powered by Ford” version. Since I lost the big block look when I swapped the covers, I decided to chuck the turkey pan, too, and go with a small block appearance – complete with a 289 air cleaner decal. Shelving the turkey pan also allows the carb to be accessible for future adjustments, especially helpful since I plan on taking it to a dyno for the next step in final tuning. Another challenge was presented by my interest in switching from a fully open crank vent arrangement to a more traditional PCV set-up that allows the fumes and vapors to be recycled and burned through the engine – which you can see in the after pic below.
Although not correct for the body style here in the US (AC did sell the wide body with a small block in England and Europe), I tried to keep the engine looking old-school. Here are a couple before and after pics showing the changes.
Big Block Style:
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173411451_zpsmdmlffgn.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173411451_zpsmdmlffgn.jpg.html)
Small Block Style:
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/IMG_20150901_195632386_zpsqsrhx6gy.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/IMG_20150901_195632386_zpsqsrhx6gy.jpg.html)
Although I really liked the big block appearance, the adapter plates were nothing but a seepage and leak headache for me and I was tired of the process of pulling it all apart, cleaning it, and reinstalling – only to have the upper or lower gaskets start leaking again within a few hundred miles. The method of bolting the adapter plates in place makes it hard to retighten them without removing the covers – which in my opinion is too much for something that is just an appearance mod and not a functional. So, for both convenience and reliability, I decided to replace those covers with the traditional small block “Cobra Powered by Ford” version. Since I lost the big block look when I swapped the covers, I decided to chuck the turkey pan, too, and go with a small block appearance – complete with a 289 air cleaner decal. Shelving the turkey pan also allows the carb to be accessible for future adjustments, especially helpful since I plan on taking it to a dyno for the next step in final tuning. Another challenge was presented by my interest in switching from a fully open crank vent arrangement to a more traditional PCV set-up that allows the fumes and vapors to be recycled and burned through the engine – which you can see in the after pic below.
Although not correct for the body style here in the US (AC did sell the wide body with a small block in England and Europe), I tried to keep the engine looking old-school. Here are a couple before and after pics showing the changes.
Big Block Style:
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173411451_zpsmdmlffgn.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/Graduation/IMG_20150614_173411451_zpsmdmlffgn.jpg.html)
Small Block Style:
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/IMG_20150901_195632386_zpsqsrhx6gy.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/IMG_20150901_195632386_zpsqsrhx6gy.jpg.html)