Installing HFCM Upgrade plug, how?
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Pleasaton, CA
Installing HFCM Upgrade plug, how?
SO I got one of these upgraded plugs about 6 months ago. So its time to change the fuel filter yesterday, and I figure I'll replace the old plug with the new one.
So I get the jack and stands, remove old plug, replace filter. When its time to put the upgraded plug in, I can't put it straight in because of the front drive shaft. SInce it does not go in straight, I am afraid to start tigheting thinking I'll mess something up inside the HFCM. It almost gets there but not quite. After several minutes I just close it up with the old plug.
Any help would be appreciated. As I was crawling out I notice how the HFCM is mounted and figured I could unmount but figured I would just ask here. BTW, I think the old plug has one more time before it rounds out and I cannot remove it.
So I get the jack and stands, remove old plug, replace filter. When its time to put the upgraded plug in, I can't put it straight in because of the front drive shaft. SInce it does not go in straight, I am afraid to start tigheting thinking I'll mess something up inside the HFCM. It almost gets there but not quite. After several minutes I just close it up with the old plug.
Any help would be appreciated. As I was crawling out I notice how the HFCM is mounted and figured I could unmount but figured I would just ask here. BTW, I think the old plug has one more time before it rounds out and I cannot remove it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 0
From: Republic of Texas
Have at it . . .
I spent about 5 or 10 minutes jiggling (that is a very technical term, if you don't or haven't used it before you might want to see your tech manual) mine around before it found the right angle to slide in.I didn't take the shaft off but did mutter a few key phrases at it. Be persistant as it is a PITA. So now you can go get cold diesel on you while you try thi again eh?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 109
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From: LaPorte, CO
Jack up the left front of the frame. This will allow the drive shaft to drop down enough so you can get a straight shot at it. After I threaded mine in, I discovered that the flatted part will slip inside the housing one end first and then the other will slip in without threading that partial thread in.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 3
From: Eastern CT.
I just installed mine 2 days ago,,pulled stock plug,,let it drain,,finally stopped draining maybe 1.5 pints of fuel, (about 1" bottom of 1 gallon milk jug)changed filter, grabbed updated plug, came down from top of HFCM, inserted T-portion,,,was on a bit of an angel, but just started turning with fingers and it screwed right in.
Have heard of some having trouble, my truck is an 06' F-350, SC, S-bed, snowplow package,,maybe the F-250 has a slightly lower suspension making it more difficult to install the new (or LCF ) style plug.
Have heard of some having trouble, my truck is an 06' F-350, SC, S-bed, snowplow package,,maybe the F-250 has a slightly lower suspension making it more difficult to install the new (or LCF ) style plug.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 491
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From: Fort Fun
I can't believe you guys got through your posts without cursing whatever moron decided to put the HCFM where they did. On my '03, the transmission support/cross member, drive shaft and frame come together to make chaning the filter the most hateful thing you will do to this truck! I got my new LCF-style plug and new filters from the local Harvester dealer (OK. I just dated myself - International dealer), and was all set to replace them both. Getting that filter cap off was horrible. You can only turn your ratchet (with 36mm socket) about 1/32 of a turn. It took me a good half hour to get that thing changed.
Then I realized that the HCFM drain plug was rounded out. Had to JB Weld a 6 mm hex in there and have yet to try to turn it off. I just hope I can get it out without ruining it. Then it sounds like putting the new one in is next to impossible too. I guess I could just use the existing one with the JB Welded 6mm already on it. That is reason for replacing it anyway, right - better grip to remove it?.....
Then I realized that the HCFM drain plug was rounded out. Had to JB Weld a 6 mm hex in there and have yet to try to turn it off. I just hope I can get it out without ruining it. Then it sounds like putting the new one in is next to impossible too. I guess I could just use the existing one with the JB Welded 6mm already on it. That is reason for replacing it anyway, right - better grip to remove it?.....
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,362
Likes: 3
From: Hendersonville, NC
Originally Posted by Big
I can't believe you guys got through your posts without cursing whatever moron decided to put the HCFM where they did. On my '03, the transmission support/cross member, drive shaft and frame come together to make chaning the filter the most hateful thing you will do to this truck! I got my new LCF-style plug and new filters from the local Harvester dealer (OK. I just dated myself - International dealer), and was all set to replace them both. Getting that filter cap off was horrible. You can only turn your ratchet (with 36mm socket) about 1/32 of a turn. It took me a good half hour to get that thing changed.
Then I realized that the HCFM drain plug was rounded out. Had to JB Weld a 6 mm hex in there and have yet to try to turn it off. I just hope I can get it out without ruining it. Then it sounds like putting the new one in is next to impossible too. I guess I could just use the existing one with the JB Welded 6mm already on it. That is reason for replacing it anyway, right - better grip to remove it?.....
Then I realized that the HCFM drain plug was rounded out. Had to JB Weld a 6 mm hex in there and have yet to try to turn it off. I just hope I can get it out without ruining it. Then it sounds like putting the new one in is next to impossible too. I guess I could just use the existing one with the JB Welded 6mm already on it. That is reason for replacing it anyway, right - better grip to remove it?.....
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 491
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From: Fort Fun
You know when you keep banging your head against the wall because you don't know any better? Yeah, well that was me the other night. I was in a bit of a hurry so I thought I had to stay the course. Of course if I had stepped away and thought about it, I might (well maybe not) have realized the easier way. Thanks for the tip.
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 41
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From: MA
Big, I'm with you on the location of the HFCM. The people who design them don't fix them. A couple feet back on the frame there is plenty of room to get at anything. I changed out my plug about a month ago with the upgrade. PITA....with a little patience I managed to get the angle from above and slip it into place. I did end up wearing some fuel.
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,362
Likes: 3
From: Hendersonville, NC
The reason the HFCM is mounted where it is is because it is the lowest reasonable point on the frame rail, and therefore makes it capable of removing more water from the fuel since diesel has a lower specific gravity than water.
PITA, yes, but also helps to keep your injectors and engine alive longer.
PITA, yes, but also helps to keep your injectors and engine alive longer.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,799
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by PSD 60L Fx4
PITA, yes, but also helps to keep your injectors and engine alive longer.
Edit: I didn't know you worked with Jeremy!?! Sheesh, I HAD so much respect for you til now. J/K!! Tell Jeremy I got my engine out today finally and the fuel system should be on soon!
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,362
Likes: 3
From: Hendersonville, NC
Originally Posted by 6L PWR
Except in your case though, right? ROFL
Edit: I didn't know you worked with Jeremy!?! Sheesh, I HAD so much respect for you til now. J/K!! Tell Jeremy I got my engine out today finally and the fuel system should be on soon!
Edit: I didn't know you worked with Jeremy!?! Sheesh, I HAD so much respect for you til now. J/K!! Tell Jeremy I got my engine out today finally and the fuel system should be on soon!
Yeah, I've worked with Jeremy doing 6.0 tuning ever since the "Smokin in the Smokies" Dyno event at Gatlinburg TN a while back.
