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Hello. New here. I recently purchased a 1985 Ford f350 with a 351 Windsor and I have a couple questions regarding something I found on the engine. I'll attach the picture to this post that I took with my phone along with anything surrounding it.
Does anyone happen to know what this might be? I would like to replace it or get rid of it I'd I dont need it. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you.
EDIT: Realized I didn't explain what I'm asking about. The spark plug that's in the hose, what is that connected to? I imagine it's an airline of some sort.
Last edited by Charlesg; Mar 29, 2019 at 08:33 PM.
Reason: Better discribtion.
That's the hose for the AIR Injection Pump, aka the Smog Pump that somebody removed.
The check valve will keep exhaust from flowing back towards the engine, the spark plug is more for aesthetics than anything.
[JOKE]Looks like more of that emissions crap that just needs to be cut out. Doesn't work if not hooked up. That spark plug is supposed to be run off the coil, through a vacuum solenoid. When the engine is at temp and accelerating it burns off excess hydrocarbons in the exhaust. Used on some models in place of catalytic converter.[/JOKE]
Ford actually has a part number for the plugs as well, although I have no idea if they're available anymore. The holes are 5/8 thread as noted on the JEG's page above, and I've read where guys have simply plugged the holes with short bolts.
The threads in those holes will be dirty and/or have some exhaust soot in them, so if you DO plug them, make sure you clean them out as best you can or run a tap in there and vacuum the loose dirt out. If you coat the tap in grease it will capture most of the debris and bring it back out with the tap.
You will find with no air flowing through the piping, the check valve and the piping will develop holes. So if you leave it like it is, in several more years you may develop a mysterious exhaust leak. Then you will have to pull the piping and plug the holes in the heads.