You will have to pardon me but I have never owned a Ford FE before. I just recently purchased a 75 Ford F-250 with a 390.

I was wondering about the routing of the heater hose. It looks like the heater hose is coming from the firewall and into the spacer between the carburetor and intake manifold. It then comes out the front of the spacer and into the front of the intake manifold. I have seen pictures of other 390 engines and I have never seen a spacer like that. Is it normal and what benefit would it be to change it out for one that does not route the coolant through the carb spacer?

 

The spacer is typical and factory. Not sure if it was an option or std equipment. Some people have had them rot out and leak. Most just unhook it and don't worry about it.

It will run fine without it. If you are in a warm climate, all the more reason NOT to have it. No need to warm the carb up.

Larry

 

It is normal. My understanding is that it helps with cold starts or cold weather performance. The way it's setup, it only flows through the spacer when the heater valve is open.

Many of us run without them.