I hope someone can answer this question.

1988 E350, 460EFI

I need thermactor (air pump) tubes that go from the air diverter valve to the cat. Tried to find them on line and gave up and went to the Ford Dealer(s).

Problem is all of the Ford documentation shows only a single air tube to the cat for my year vehicle. I have 2 air tubes. One goes to the front of the cat and the other to the rear (or close to the rear) of the cat.

So, if Ford doesn't even have my configuration on file how in the world will I ever get this thing fixed. The check valves are leaking a little (plugged cat must have fried them) and it is impossible to replace them without new air tubes.

Any leads to air tube manufacturers would be greatly appreciated.

 

What is the production date of your van? What year is listed on the emissions sticker on your engine (87 or 88)? What calibration code is on your door jamb sticker (7-98A-R01, 8-98A-R01, etc.)? How many check valves do you have and where are they located?

The first EFI 460's (87.5 to "before Feb 88") had a different thermactor setup than later ones. The early ones had both TAD and TAB solenoids (just like the 300, 302, and 351W). When the engine was revised for Feb 88, one of them was eliminated. This change may be why your dealer wasn't able to look up the part number.

Tell me your exact configuration and which parts you need. I can look up the part numbers you need to ask for.

BTW, blown check valves resulting from the plugged cat is quite believable.

 

Try another ford dealer. My old service truck (88 F250 460, C6) had 2 air tubes also, so your is not the only one built like this.
Good luck

 

ludis -

Since this is a motorhome the production date is listed a 6/88 by the motorhome manufacturer but I don't know when "Ford" actually manufactured the vehicle.

There is a sticker under the hood that says the vehicle conforms to US EPA and California 1988 Emissions blah, blah, blah.

There is also a sticker on the door jam that reads "Vehicle noise emmission control 1988". There is a vacuum hose routing diagram on the left valve cover but I don't have the dog house off at the moment. Do I need to look at that sticker or is the Emissions sticker somewhere else?

The calibration code is 8-98A-RO2

I have 2 check valves that are located under the vehicle . There are 2 metal air tubes that run from the cat to the check valves. On the other side of each check valve there is a short rubber hose that connects the check valve to the black metal tubes running up to the engine. One black tube goes directly to the air diverter valve.

If I disconnect rubber hose at the air diverter valve there is air coming from the diverter valve (normal) and air coming out from the end that goes to the cat (not normal I think).

I found the check valves and a wide variety of air tubes on the web at Pollution Control Inc. but I can't tell which air tubes to buy.

Thanks in advance for any additional help

 

The drawing the dealer has is just a generic drawing meant to suggest the part type number.

Have the dealer look up exhaust parts list number 240. The numbers for the tubes are E8UZ-5F298-A and E7UZ-5F235-A.

If you have the E4OD (an 88 wouldn't have it), the parts list number is 246. The tubes are E9UZ-5F298-A and E9UZ-5F235-A.

You may need some clamps: E7UZ-5A231-A or E3FZ-5A231-C.

The check valves are E7TZ-9A487-E aka CX-1207.

The (circa 2001) list prices (in the order I listed the numbers) are: $63.35, 50.58, 42.42, 50.58, 2.95, 4.67, 30.91. The dealer gets the tubes for 40% off, the clamps for 42% off, and the valve for 55% off.

 

ludis - YOU ARE THE MAN!!! THANKS A TON!!!!