Progress Thread The Ragged Gt Thread-little To No Progress Made-Garage Art

So I didn’t set the car on fire.
What I did do was-I found a step bit,and drilled out the bolt holes on both headers. They went in flawlessly afterwards. I hung the X pipe and the mufflers. Changed the spark plugs and put on my new cheapy chrome valve covers.
It was all going very well until I tried to put the dip stick tube back in. Literally 4 different sets of headers have been on this car,all with the factory dipstick. Will it work with BBk’s- Nope.
I went to the local AZ, they have a much shorter chromy dipstick tube for all sbf windsors,I buy it and take it home,it fits perfectly through the headers-but won’t fit into the hole on the block,the tube is bigger.
Trying to tap into the inner fabricator that I’m not-I cut up the stock dipstick tube and bend it to the shape of the new one-problem solved (maybe.)
I ended up removing the metal heater hose tubes in an attempt to fix the coolant leaking from the fitting in the intake.ill know more about it once I fill the cooling system up.
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She’s close guys-hopefully I can get one more good day and this car should be up and running/driving
 
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I had a similar issue with the stock dipstick tube on my Cobra with my long tubes. I ended up using a Crown Vic/Grand Marquis 5.0 dispstick and tube. The bracket needs some lengthening to reach the header bolts, but it fits perfectly in the block and is in a nice location that doesn't interfere with anything else in the engine bay.
Vk6tSHr.jpg
 
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I had a similar issue with the stock dipstick tube on my Cobra with my long tubes. I ended up using a Crown Vic/Grand Marquis 5.0 dispstick and tube. The bracket needs some lengthening to reach the header bolts, but it fits perfectly in the block and is in a nice location that doesn't interfere with anything else in the engine bay.
Vk6tSHr.jpg
I like that setup-what year crown Vic tube did you use?
Here’s what I made/am working with
F161B8B6-5D2D-492B-82EC-DF5AFFE42F9C.jpeg
 
I like that setup-what year crown Vic tube did you use?
Here’s what I made/am working with
F161B8B6-5D2D-492B-82EC-DF5AFFE42F9C.jpeg
I used the tube from my 1990 Grand Marquis. I was running a Motorsport chrome dipstick in the Cobra but swapped it into the Mercury. Not sure how far back it goes, but any 5.0 Town Car, Grand Marquis, or Crown Vic from at least 1985-1991 should have that same style.

You don't have much space to work with, that's for sure.
 
The stamped steel chromed valve covers in the past had problems sealing do to cork gaskets and ham fisted mechanics that tighten em down too much and distorting the bolt holes. The new style gaskets have a small metal (maybe aluminum not sure) inserts that are supposed to keep from squashing the gasket (I'm guessing on that one)
 
Why the switch to the chrome valve covers over stock? I’ve always heard chrome ones are hard to keep sealed.
I wish I had a profound,well thought out deep explanation for you-but the true answer is-‘cause I like chrome :shrug:

Edit: I thought of a more profound answer-
The Plenum,intake,Tb,the block and any bracket or pulley I could take off-is painted black now,so in a sea of black,the chrome valve covers will stand out :D
 
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So I didn’t set the car on fire.
What I did do was-I found a step bit,and drilled out the bolt holes on both headers. They went in flawlessly afterwards. I hung the X pipe and the mufflers. Changed the spark plugs and put on my new cheapy chrome valve covers.
It was all going very well until I tried to put the dip stick tube back in. Literally 4 different sets of headers have been on this car,all with the factory dipstick. Will it work with BBk’s- Nope.
I went to the local AZ, they have a much shorter chromy dipstick tube for all sbf windsors,I buy it and take it home,it fits perfectly through the headers-but won’t fit into the hole on the block,the tube is bigger.
Trying to tap into the inner fabricator that I’m not-I cut up the stock dipstick tube and bend it to the shape of the new one-problem solved (maybe.)
I ended up removing the metal heater hose tubes in an attempt to fix the coolant leaking from the fitting in the intake.ill know more about it once I fill the cooling system up.
85586995-2927-4570-9CD8-75F2E3929F0B.jpeg
6E102387-7D05-4891-A3BA-BFE047742143.jpeg
0B59A0DE-82CD-40D3-BEB0-94C5AF177A6C.jpeg
ED73E09A-7D9F-4125-ABDF-AFA35A700130.jpeg
BA669DFA-78AC-4ABA-80FE-2EBE5FE4E2D5.jpeg

She’s close guys-hopefully I can get one more good day and this car should be up and running/driving
Why does it look like the mufflers have seen one too many close calls with the road?
Have they been drug?
 
Update with a couple Pics-
It Runs-Transmission Goes into gear-Pig Rich and randomly Dies,but Runs :D

Little back story since there has been an absence of updates.
The Direct replacement no modification needed chrome valve covers, Yeah they hit the plenum.
Ordered a 3/4 intake spacer. Moves plenum enough to clear valve covers-New hardware to long-bolts must be for a truck intake..
Spacer comes off . Valve covers come off.
Stock valve covers back on-plenum back on.
Things are moving along nicely-break out my brand new oe direct replacement Packard wires-don’t fit. Mix match the non broken old mustang wires with others I have in the cabinet. Put all the accessories back on,break the nipple off the power steering pump again.
In the interest of progress,I continue.
And finally-she starts and runs- damn near choke you up in the garage,but she runs
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