FE intakes

[timmytim]

On the bottom side of the FE intakes there is this cover, I believe for smog. If that cover is rusted out can you remove it and still run intake?

[6Delta]

I could be wrong as I have never spoken to a Ford engineer, but I always believed the cover was to protect the oil valley from the extreme heat resulting from the exhaust crossover. The exhaust crossover helps heat the manifold in cold times so the fuel vaporizes better. The combination of extreme heat and condensation from temperature extremes will cause oil to be baked on it and rust to consume it. I do not think it wise to eliminate it completely. I do recall removing one once and seem to recall it had some kind of thick "steel wool" stuffed in there I suppose to slow down the exhaust gasses between the heads
.
I have seen some that were repaired by brazing thin metal onto what remained of the original one. Not pretty but effective If you block off the exhaust cross over it would not be needed. Also I do not know if any gasket makers make one with a "shield" that fits between the heads like on a 351 Cleveland. Since the bottom of some the cast aluminum intakes for the Cleveland are made differently some guys toss the "turkey pan" part of the gasket and only seal the china walls and actual intake ports for the heads to the intake manifold. You might look for a similar gasket. Sorry I don't have a how to fix it idea. Good luck

[davelj]

Check that intake closely. Unless it's been sitting in the dirt somewhere, it's likely that the exhaust crossover passage is burned out. This can happen when the exhaust heat riser valve stuck closed. The intake gets too hot, trashing the iron and burning out the heat shield you asked about.

[timmytim]

Thanks