Phenolic spacer ?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Warren, NJ
Phenolic spacer ?
I have a 289 in my 53 PU with a edel. Aluminium manifold and a 1405 carb. I have a couple FE engines that i have to run phenolic spacers on for the heat. Is the spacer a good idea for the small block 289? Was thinking going with about a half inche spacer???
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,013
Likes: 205
From: SoCal
A spacer of just 1/2" should not affect the engine performance very much, and if if insulates the carb from the intake manifold, I would go ahead and use it. But I would also try to find out why the intake manifold is getting so hot. Did you install the intake manifold? If so, did you punch out the exhaust passage hole in the intake gasket? This puts hot exhaust gasses into the intake manifold for heating it up faster when cold. You might consider installing new gaskets, with one side or both sides blocked. Then the intake manifold won't heat up as much.
New User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Different types of phenolics spacers, depending on heat, or how hot its getting. Looks like they can range from 265F to 465F. Thermoset Plastic Phenolic Laminates
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,013
Likes: 205
From: SoCal
The aluminum spacers are usually for supplying a manifold vacuum port, not for heat insulation like those phenolic spacers.
A spacer 1 inch tall may actually affect the flow enough for you to measure. It's like increasing the plenum size and runner length.
A spacer 1 inch tall may actually affect the flow enough for you to measure. It's like increasing the plenum size and runner length.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 36
From: British Columbia
Spacers
I had mentioned the stock spacer as a point of information, not necessarily recommending one. The early engines (1964 and prior in Canada) still had them even though there was no PCV port or other port in them, so Ford must have designed (or tuned) the engine assembly with an inch spacer in mind.
Depending on the carburetor and manifold, there can be interference between the carb linkage and manifold if a spacer isn't used. Of course a non-stock manifold may be designed with the carb boss higher, thus in effect have an integral spacer.
Although a phenolic spacer is a much better insulator, an aluminum one with a paper gasket on each side probably does a fair job as well, or more correctly the two paper gaskets do.
Depending on the carburetor and manifold, there can be interference between the carb linkage and manifold if a spacer isn't used. Of course a non-stock manifold may be designed with the carb boss higher, thus in effect have an integral spacer.
Although a phenolic spacer is a much better insulator, an aluminum one with a paper gasket on each side probably does a fair job as well, or more correctly the two paper gaskets do.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rechinca
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
14
May 26, 2017 11:01 AM
Santiagoeford
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Sep 18, 2015 03:06 PM
BossFan
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
3
Aug 17, 2014 07:21 PM
