plugging the EGR crossover holes

[bourbon]

talking about the holes in the ends of the heads next to the firewall. the pipe that goes from one head to the other has ends that sit flat against the head with one bolt per side holding them on. i dont understand how cutting them off and flipping them around would help as it would still have a big hole in it?

[bailey_57]

ok on the back of the heads there is a pipe, its held by one bolt in each head on the back of the head (toward the firewall). I believe the tube is called the thermactor tube. Unbolt that from the heads and cut the blocks from the tube. because they are symmetrical, the will fit the opposite head when reversed. on there back side they are flat so when bolted fast to the head cover the hole. i did this with my car and drove it like that for a year and a half with no problems. does anyone see a problem with my advice? if so please chime in. let me know if this helps. good luck.

[bourbon]

i'll have to look for that tube and see if that would work. it just doesnt seem like its a very airtight seal. at least when it went somewhere there wasnt that much pressure but im sure there will be more there if its actually blocking the path. i had heard a while ago someone said they had plugged theres and i havent had a warm enough day to work on my engine but it did look like there were threads in there.

thanks for reply, ill let ya know what i do (if i remember)

[bourbon]

****had to edit this for correctness****

yep your right bailey it is the thermactor crossover tube im talking about not the EGR. i still never looked at the tube i took off.

today i did go out and clean the threads in the holes (yes there are threads). and i would rather have something in there than something just in front of it. i found out that a bolt size 5/8-11 will work. Or, if you have holes in the front of the heads, Ford sells a plug that has smaller threads inside it for an accessory to bolt into, part number F4ZZ-6E086-A. took forever and a day to find this out.