Hello Everyone,

Newbie here. I have a question that I am looking for help on. I have a 1979 F-250 with a big block 460.

Last week I experienced what I thought was a sticking lifter. However, after I inspected it, I found it was a vacuum leak. It appears as though the previous owner bypassed the California emissions by removing the fresh air intake and hot air tube.

He used a rudimentary plug (and screw) which failed. Every parts catalogue I have looked at only shows the tubing etc. I am looking for help identifying the plate and any recommendations as to where I can get a replacement. I have looked at parts suppliers but cannot find what I am looking for.

Thanks,

 

I have a 250/400, full california emissions, but i have no idea what that picture is showing. But im not the sharpest tool in the tree...

 

The line shown, and the hole, both lead up to the carb. This shows the plate, cross-over?, that I am looking for.

 

What you are looking for is:
Tube assy., thermostatic choke control
Fits: 74-up F150-350, M450-500 w/ 460
C8VY-9C869-A
I'll do a search and see if I can find any.
This is what it looks like:

 

I found 1 dealer that has it.
Christian Brothers Ford, Crookston, MN shows one in stock (218) 281-1338.

 

I don't know how familiar you are with what this is, but it is commonly called a heat stove or choke stove. It's function is to heat the air that is supplied to the automatic choke to help open the choke.
This choke is an electrically assisted choke meaning that the choke uses both exhaust heat and 12 volts to operate.
The tube that connects this part to the carb has a slight vacuum that draws air through the tube. This tube has a loop in the exhaust crossover in the intake manifold. This warms the air and helps operate the thermostatic spring to open the choke as the engine warms up.
The screw in the picture is blocking the intake side of the stove. Instead of the screw there should be a tube that goes to the carbs vent tube so it draws filtered air into the stove.
What you are dealing with is an exhaust leak, that's why you heard what you thought was a noisy tappet.
I see you're in Canada so you probably need the choke. If for some reason you can't get the part, you could probably fabricate a block off plate to cover the hole in the manifold and convert (assuming you've got a Holley carb) to a full electric choke. There are also kits available at the auto parts store to replace the tubing when it's burned out. Its a universal kit and only includes the tubing not the bolt on plate and that's your main problem, the mounting plate itself is burned out.
If I was going to fab one I would consider using thicker metal for the mounting plate and using stainless steel for the tubing. Fix once and done.

 

Mike, you are awesome!

 

Thanks .

 

Gas weld up the hole and put a manual choke kit on. And never look back.

 

That's another solution to the problem, and probably the easiest/cheapest one too.

 

Passenger Cars: 1968/73 429 & 1968/78 460.

Econoline 460: 1975/79 E250/350 / 1980/91 E350.

 

Thank-you Mike. You're a big help.

 

Glad to help.
BTW, welcome to FTE, there are lots of good people here.

 

JB Weld and a manual choke set up are your friends.

 

My choke stove tubes were all rusted out. I found 2 or 3 at a junkyard from 78 or 79 Lincolns or Grand Marquis. That might be another route too.