In the intake valley, at the back, there is a machined area where Ford drilled down to connect the two oil lifter galleys. Is this supposed to be capped with a freeze plug, covered and sealed with a gasket, or left as is? My gasket set did not make accomodations for this, nor did my machinist plug this with a freeze plug, nor does my rebuild book nor Chiltons address this.

Thanks

Randy

 

It uses a frost plug.
I think it is a 3/4"

 

Thanks TMI!!

 

Roger that, it's a 3/4" plug, and you will not be able to build oil pressure unless it is plugged. -Courtesy of Ford Motorsport tech line. Good thing I decided to call and ask, or I would have been mighty dissapointed when I fired up my new 5.0 this winter.

 

Definately don't forget it. You'll get about 25 psi oil pressure at cam break in speed and essentially none if you let it idle down. Due to the location of the plug in question there will not be enough pressure in the lifter galleys to pump up the lifters. I'm speaking from experience here. The builder of the engine is ultimately responsible to make sure everything is there on assembly- and in this situation that was me. BUT-the machinist had agreed (actually insisted) to install all the plugs but when I got it home and unwrapped the block it was obvious he hadn't. So, I was left up to my own resources to do this and followed my 302 rebuilders book. It talked about the number and location of frost plugs, oil galley plugs on the front and back but made NO reference to the one needed under the rear of the intake. Maybe most machinists don't pull this when tanking the block but this one did. So far- on tearing down of the top end I'm not finding anything indicating damage. I'm confidant the lower end received adequate lubrication and I also think the cam lobes are OK since they are splash lubed. Everything I'm seeing on the top end has a nice film of oil on it so I'll complete my inspection and reassemble.

Randy