Phenolic Spacer Hood Clearance

[JasinC19]

Hey guys, I'm looking into ordering a phenolic spacer to solve clearance issues with TFS top end kit and my fuel injector connector wires.

Seems like no matter how I twist them, the intake sites right on top of the #6 & #7 injectors.

Is anyone running a 3/8" spacer with a BBK 75mm throttle body and the Street Heat intake? One guy on another forum said that the breather tube coming out the top of the TB made contact with the hood.

I am running convertible style mounts, which I am told lowers the engine a bit. I measure best I could with clay, and it was pretty damn close, but looks like it will be ok.

Also, will adding 3/8" to the runner length negatively affect performance?

Thanks!
Jason

 

[Chuckman]

im running a 3/8 with a 65mm bbk, no issues. its got a 1.5" cowl on it atm, but i ran this same intake combo with the stock hood as well with no problems.

in theory, a little extra runner length should get you a bit more low end torque, but its so marginal you wont even notice it, people do it more for clearance than for performance.

 

[JasinC19]

Thanks Chuckman.

Are you using stock fuel rails? I have the aluminum BBK rails. I'm wondering if they are contributing to the clearance problem.

They look great, but have crowded things up a little too much for my liking... :/

 

[Justin81]

I'm using the spacer on mine and like Chuckman said you want even notice any change in performance. I needed it to clear my fuel pressure gauge on my regulator.

The raised upper plenum also makes it look good. If you're using a strut tower brace you may run into a clearance problem with that. I have a 3" hood and can see my intake through the holes in the cowl when sitting in the drivers seat and it's pretty close but does'nt touch.

 

[JasinC19]

I didn't think about adding a strut tower brace.... I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

 

[JasinC19]

Is there a way to lower the engine any more than with the convertible style mounts?

This would help with handling and clearance. Not sure if it would tilt the trans/driveshaft at a bad angle though.

 

[RangerJoe]

You can buy spacers that go between the k-member and the frame. I think you can get them up to 3/8" thick, but thats a lot of hassle for 3/8" of an inch. But, if you need it, you need it.

 

[JasinC19]

Heh... that's like the reverse of a body lift kit on a truck.

 

[Chuckman]

Thanks Chuckman.

Are you using stock fuel rails? I have the aluminum BBK rails. I'm wondering if they are contributing to the clearance problem.

They look great, but have crowded things up a little too much for my liking... :/

stockers, have you run the bbk's yet? i know the ones that come with the ssi intakes are pretty much crap for sealing, dunno if theyre special for that intake or not. theres really not any need to go to bigger rails anyway until past the 400-500 mark afaik.

 

[JasinC19]

Funny you say that. I saw a leak last night from my feed line fitting into the rail while I was testing fuel pump. I had to take everything back apart... I'm becoming a real pro at doing things multiple times.

It turned out it was my fault... the fitting was way too loose and I had not used any thread sealer. So I tightened them up real good and used some ARP teflon paste. Tonight I'll test it again for leaks. If I see any, I will be going back to stock rail.

I went a little crazy when I was ordering new parts and just figured I wanted as much new stuff as possible. Seems like half the "nice to have" parts I got either don't fit or are < OEM. Pretty sad... but like I said they do look really cool. I definitely did not buy them out of necessity.

The rails I have are these:
http://www.latemodelrestoration.com...Mustang-50L-BBK-High-FLow-Aluminum-Fuel-Rails
View attachment 183849

 

[JasinC19]

UPDATE:

The 3/8" spacer raised the manifold enough to clear everything sufficiently.

Everything clears the hood when it is closed, including the breather tube on top of the throttle body.