460 Smog Delete and Oil Cooler Delete for a 78 Bronco Swap

[Gary Lewis]

I've had plenty of core plugs fail, and they fail from the inside out.  One minute they look new and the next they are leaking.

Since you don't know how good the coolant has been for the last 30+ years...

[ArdWrknTrk]

Fel-pro makes one with the 4 front washers bigger.

You just need to order for an EFI truck.

[viven44]

On the 302s and 351s, the ones by the exhaust air diversion valve on the driver side seem to rot out from too much heat. My understanding is .. More heat = faster rate of reaction for the corrosion. This 460 manifold doesn’t have the diversion valve… did the 460s have a different intake hot air recirc heater setup ?

[ArdWrknTrk]

There's a port that crosses from one head to the other directly under the carb plenum.
You can get gaskets or intake manifold that block this off, but if you have cold weather you really want it

[viven44]

How is the exhaust redirected into the intake on the 460 ? There is no provision for that on the manifolds.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Through the thermactor ports in the heads.

[viven44]

Dang. Didn't know that. I used the Ford Racing 1 piece gasket last time.

Would it be this one ?
Fel-Pro Oil Pan Gasket OS34507R

[ArdWrknTrk]

I don't know the numbers.
I know it's a blue Perma dry gasket.

The timing cover changed when they moved from a front dipstick.
But a lot of the gasket applications are for the '70s cars and stuff with the front sump and the stick in the cover.
Those used all the same size pan bolts

[viven44]

So, the thermactor port in the head is an always-on setup ? or was it vacuum actuated ? .. the 302/351 setup ran only under certain conditions until the coolant reached temp if i recall correctly... If i was to block off the hot air riser on the intake, I would have to remove the exhaust side valve on the 302/351.. Trying to figure out what I need to remove if i decided to block off the intake heat riser ports ?? I have too many questions

[ArdWrknTrk]

The holes in the exhaust ports are always open!
When the engine gets to temp the air pump diverter valve opens, and forces air through the crossover check valve into the back of the heads.

But three and seven or two and five I don't know.... they never fire at the same time, so hot exhaust gets pushed back and forth underneath the carb.

If you have an aluminum intake do not use the turkey pan gasket...

[viven44]

Gary, I totally agree. If these didn’t look brand spanking new I would as they are easy to replace. Just don’t think these are very old at all. Some of them have paint on them.

[viven44]

Noted. I have no plans to use aluminum intake at this point. Just don't believe it would buy me a lot for what i'm trying to achieve here. This bronco will be far away from its natural habitat.. will frequent costco parking lots, and maybe basketball practice. That's why I think the oil cooler will be an overkill.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I don't have an oil cooler, and I towed heavy, at speed, over distance. (or used to)

An aluminum intake will save you about 65 lb, just for starters....
And Edelbrock performer non EGR or the old version of the Weiand stealth are worthy upgrades without losing too much velocity or charge ram effect.

[viven44]

Yes I will definitely keep the edelbrock non EGR one in mind... I had seen on another post that it would need re-curving the distributor etc. I haven't done that before, so will need to know how to do that.

Lack of oil cooler would mean slightly higher temp and the oil would varnish a bit quicker as well. I think the oil cooler would help increase mileage intervals between oil change if you had a Hotshot rig that you racked up thousands of miles in a week.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Get real about oil operating temps.
Use diesel oil with a decent detergent package.
Too cool is WAY worse than too hot.
It takes forever for condensation and blow by to cook off.

You need a Crane adjustable advance and the six pack of MrGasket springs.

I'll link Scotties instructions..

[ArdWrknTrk]

https://www.reincarnation-automotive.com/Duraspark_distributor_recurve_instructions_index.html

https://www.reincarnation-automotive.com/Duraspark_distributor_recurve_instructions_page-2.html

[viven44]

Perfect !!

And for all the reasons you mentioned, I'm happy to not use a cooler.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Go to jegs and look up the advance.
Find 'technical documentation ' or somesuch and there's a link to the Crane PDF.
Remember, it's NOT a mustang 1/4 miler car (but it IS a Bronco, so maybe?)
I guess it depends if you drive it like you stole it.

[viven44]

In laymans terms, If I didn't do this re-curving and installed an Edelbrock intake, what would be the downside ? I drive slow enough that people usually pass me or honk at me. My wife is even slower. Just never been a fan of gunning it.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Spark knock at cruise and tip in because you have so much advance and no exhaust to richen the mixture under high vacuum.