Gbranham's MkIV 427/IRS/TKX Build Thread...Spark Plug Shenanigans

[gbranham]

Yep, I used studs and Gasgacinch, and torqued them several times day one, then retorqued after it sat overnight. Even retorqued after a few heat cycles. Oh well, all's well now.

[BornWestUSA]

The Ford racing instructions say to re-torque the intake bolts after 10 heat cycles... I will report what I find this week.

The intake bolts moved about 45 degrees to reach 17 foot pounds, some a bit more. It took 4 passes thru the torque sequence before the bolts stopped moving.

Initially it also took about 4 passes.

The header bolts moved less than 5 degrees.

This after about 12 full heat cycles.

[Blitzboy54]

I had the exact same thing happed on my 306 SBF. Had the same leak and it was the same culprit. I found the head bolts to be fine but that and the exhaust manifold to need attention more than once. You should be good going forward but a real good reminder for SBF folks.

[gbranham]

Happy Saturday, everyone! Today was oil, filter and tranny maintenance day, since I'm approaching 800 miles. Everything went smooth, easy peasie.

I decided to recover my trans tunnel cover, because it was a bit too 'puffy' under the vinyl covering. I put some batting under it when I covered it, but it was too much. So, I redid it this AM with less batting. While I was at it, I measured the cup holder hole centers, lest anyone needs them for their MkIV. I measured these about a 100 times before I cut the holes, because I was worried I'd hit the 3/4" bracing.

Anyway, here's the dimensions. I have 2.5" diameter cup holders. Hope this helps some of you!

Have a great weekend! I'm tired of the 90 degree, dry weather here in the midwest. It's supposed to rain Monday and Tuesday, then remain in the 70s and down into the 60s in a week or two. That feels a lot better for October!

Greg

Trans Tunnel Cover Cup Holder Location.jpg

[gbranham]

Got the car on wheel dollies and put a battery tender on it for the winter. Next step...bodywork and paint when it's my turn with Kleiner. Had a great 1st driving season and racked up just shy of 800 miles. Looking forward to warm driving weather in a painted car one day down the road!

Greg

[JMD]

It's a sad day...but it's been a good summer for driving. Mine is going to the painter next week, already looking forward to having it back on the road in the spring!

[gbranham]

Looking for opinions on my new hood ornament. I think it fits juuuust right!

Greg

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[Mike.Bray]

Uh, no.....

[gbranham]

Too small, Mike?

[PMD24]

If you have your mirror mounted on the top of the windshield, I think hanging it off that would be so cool!

[Mike.Bray]

Too small, Mike?

Yeah, that's it Greg.

[gbranham]

If you have your mirror mounted on the top of the windshield, I think hanging it off that would be so cool!

Yes! Good call!

[gbranham]

Beautiful weather here in the Midwest, 60 degrees, so I snuck out for a drive. It was great getting back in the saddle after the car sat for a month and a half! Happy Holidays, everyone! 74 degrees here on Christmas day!

Greg

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[danmas]

Looks awesome!

[gbranham]

Beautiful weather here today on Super Bowl Sunday! 64 degrees, light breeze...perfect for a short cruise. Was nice to be back in the saddle again! Have a great weekend, everyone!

Greg

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[Cobraman]

Similar temp here but still in go cart stage, body going on this week this is going to be very exciting I'll post pictures as I go.

[TrackDay17]

Beautiful weather here today on Super Bowl Sunday! 64 degrees, light breeze...perfect for a short cruise. Was nice to be back in the saddle again! Have a great weekend, everyone!

Greg

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It was a nice day, I didn't get any garage time in today unfortunately, had to do a brake job on my niece's car before she headed back to college.
Waiting on a couple of parts this week to get started again moving forward.
Sure wish I had some gas tank straps.........

[gbranham]

Thanks to TrackDay17 (Greg) for ordering us a couple of sets of Forte's new sidepipe heat shields. Painted them this morning, and installed this afternoon. They look great!

Greg

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[TrackDay17]

Thanks to TrackDay17 (Greg) for ordering us a couple of sets of Forte's new sidepipe heat shields. Painted them this morning, and installed this afternoon. They look great!

Greg

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Those really look good on the car !
That's the look I was going for, painted to match the pipes and not detract from the looks of the car but protect my passengers from serious burns.

[gbranham]

Happy Saturday, everyone! I hope your weather is as good as Kansas City today. 70 degrees and no wind. Tomorrow's a different story...ice storm.

This past weekend, after installing my Forte sidepipe heat shields, I thought I'd check my spark plugs, now that I have 850 miles on the car, with quite a bit of time idling in the driveway while working out kinks. They looked pretty good, but thought I'd replace them anyway. The gap seemed kind of small, so I measured. .025". In a 427SBF. No idea why I would've gapped them that way. The car ran fine, but a little 'snotty' as Kleiner would say when idling through my small town at 30 MPH in 3rd gear, despite having a mild cam. So, I swapped the plugs today, and left them gapped at .040" right out of the box. Sure enough, it ran great, no snottiness, and it sure feels snappier and pulls quite a bit better. What a concept...gap your plugs the way they should be, and the car will run the way it should. Duh.

Anyway, have a great weekend, everyone!

Greg

[Mike.Bray]

So many people miss this small step.

I'm sure it's a lot more crisp.

[gbranham]

So many people miss this small step.

I'm sure it's a lot more crisp.

In my case, I must've consciously gapped my plugs DOWN to .025", because the plugs I bought the first time (and the 2nd time) were gapped at .040" out of the box. Brain flatulence, apparently!

Greg