Just changed plugs - question on getting more room.

[alchemist]

Had almost forgotten from the days owning my 83 CV. But on this car, the damn left side SHOULD be easy except there's that fool bracket (supported by THREE nuts over the exhaust manifold studs) that is way overkill for what the air cleaner box really needs for support. I was half tempted to cut off the bracket piece that runs right beside the #5 plug so i could get clearance. Went ahead and pulled the bracket anyway. Another trick is to just disconnect plug at distributor then the plug boot has room to rotate.

Honestly, #1 wasn't that bad. But #2 and #3 were BIOTCH! I'm guessing folks on this forum might pull the air diverter valve (if that's what ford calls it) from the two screws that hold it onto its bracket?? After that, those plugs would be a breeze. But I only removed the rear most hose from the AIR check valve. Gave me a little room on #3, but was still a pain. #4 was easy.

Does anyone here w/the 5.0L rip off the AIR system? I know for the 94/95 GM's, you could simply unplug the electric AIR pump and get away with it (no CEL). In fact, there was a tech bulletin on the fact that removing the fuse that ran the AIR pump was NOT an emission violation. The cars would pass smog tests anyway. My 95 and 96 no longer have their AIR pump's or crossover pipes or any other of that crap that gets in the way of working on the cars.

But all in all, these plugs are way easier than those on an LT1...

[tjc78]

Does anyone here w/the 5.0L rip off the AIR system?

I think the question should be "Does anyone here w/the 5.0L LEAVE the air system?" All kidding aside, from what I understand if emissions testing (the visual part) isn't an issue rip it out. Someone more knowledgeable than me will have to chime in, but I know there are a few lines that need to be capped off after removing the smog pump.

[alchemist]

I know you'd have to plug the pipe going to the CAT/exhaust pipe. I would say you would have to leave the PCM connector going to the AIR diverter valve, though, as the engine would throw a code if it doesn't see that activate. Can you remove the AIR belt driven pump itself and go with a shorter serpentine belt?

Is there a write-up on this forum about the best practice for doing all of this?

thanks-

[tjc78]

Some good info here: http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthre...ight=smog+pump

[gadget73]

you can remove all of that. It sets a code 44 and a code 94, but that doesnt really matter any. the check engine light will not come on, and it will not run any differently. I got rid of that BS years ago and it passes emissions just fine.

[alchemist]

That stupid-a$$ air box bracket is useless! Like 20 gauge steel, maybe heavier. It fits onto three exhaust manifold studs (1,2, and 3) and secured by nuts. I would propose cutting the bracket right behind where the SECOND nut secures. That way it still is secured by two nuts and at the same time it lets #1 plug wire get manuevered. I'm just pissed at what Ford did to the driver side. My old 83 was so easy on that side!

[1990LTD]

a popular swap is to the 92-97 panther air box and washer fluid tank, with a 1990 town car fan shroud and coolant overflow tank. it helps things, and when you pull the air box out that stupid bracket isn't there.



I own all of the parts for the swap, just haven't done it yet cuz the fan shroud and coolant tank are in Pennsylvania

[86VickyLX]

Upgrade the air box. Go to the junkyard, get an airbox from a 1990, 91 TownCar or any other panther from 92+ Get the air box, install it on your fender. Get a fanshroud from a '90 TownCar, and a washer bottle from a '90 towncar or later panther. Get an air intake tube from a '98+ non towncar and plug the holes. Problem solved. And what's nice is that those air boxes use the same air filters as the stock box on the 5.0 panthers.

I don't have an issue with the Air pump stuff. Mine is all hooked up except for the pipe that goes between the heads (because there's no holes in the back of my heads). Unless you're doing exhaust manifold gaskets, or headers, that stuff really isn't that bad. I like the smog pump because I don't have to think about the length of my a/c belt, I can just order it, there aren't any belts getting thrown off or any crap like that.

[86VickyLX]

a popular swap is to the 92-97 panther air box and washer fluid tank, with a 1990 town car fan shroud and coolant overflow tank. it helps things, and when you pull the air box out that stupid bracket isn't there.



I own all of the parts for the swap, just haven't done it yet cuz the fan shroud and coolant tank are in Pennsylvania

I found another shroud that isn't broken, I'm gonna pull that one for you. Then I'm gonna have to find a box big enough for that bastard.

[mcninetyone]

I ripped all that air pump crap out long ago, everything, now using a shorter belt!

And if an air box upgrade is what you want, go all the way. Get the fan shroud and overflow tank from the 90TC.
But get the Marauder style air box and zip tube from a 05+ CVPI.

I've done all this on my box, how sweet it is!!

[gadget73]

Not a 1990 towncar airbox. The tube and airbox is much smaller than the 91+ part.

[1990LTD]

I found another shroud that isn't broken, I'm gonna pull that one for you. Then I'm gonna have to find a box big enough for that bastard.

no way! that's awesome. thank you thank you!

honestly forgot about it until today when i saw this thread, then took the 95 rear end to my basement and saw the air box and washer tank layin' there.

[P72Ford]

I have all the emissions crap on my '90 351 car.

And none of the emissions stuff on my '87 302 car.

Its much nicer without it.

Also... I'd love to see pictures of your Impala.

[alchemist]

Also... I'd love to see pictures of your Impala.

Will try to post soon. I waited till I was mid 40's, and then in 2004 went and bought a low mileage SS, the dark green grey metallic color, and never looked back. I told the wife I would compromise buying a fast car, yet one that I could haul kids and stuff around in. The General stopped making full size RWD cars way before Ford, but then, I do prefer pushrod engines. So...there are no more large RWD cars w/pushrod engines. GM has 'em, but not in larger cars. Ford has larger RWD cars (as of 2010), but all OHC.

Yeah, I'm old....

[P72Ford]

That was the most uncommon color for the SS cars, was it not?