Plugging Hole in Throttle body butterfly

[TWRViper]

Hey guys,

Anyone try to plug a hole in the throttle body butterfly? I don't feel like getting a new 70mm throttlebody or butterfly. I was thinking of using JB weld to plug it. JB weld is rated to 500 deg. I think the tb should only get to about 200 deg, right? Any other suggestions?

---background---

I am working with PAS to tune my car. They were having troubles getting the idle perfect. It seemed to idle at about 900 when they were trying to get it a little lower.

I took the car home and noticed there was a small hole in the butterfly of the tb that allowed too much air to get through causing the idle to be too high. I called them and they told me that that hole is probably causing my problems.

Thanks
Tom

PS right now i have 353 rwhp @ 103 deg outside with a pegged Pro-M 75mm MAF

 

[5.0 con-vert]

I think it can be done as far as temperature goes. If the little piece of JB weld broke loose and got sucked into the motor I can't see any positive outcomes. The only thing is that it might upset is the airflow...unless, of course it's ground down. Other than that, I can't see a huge problem

 

[TWRViper]

Yeah, I want to avoid stuff falling into my engine. I wouldn't think a tiny piece of JB weld would hurt tho. Seems JB weld would be better than using a screw...???

 

[OL' WHITEY]

TWR, If you don't think a piece of JBweld can hurt your engine's internals, you're wrong. It can. It may stay in there forever and never come loose, but if it does come loose, you could have a mess on your hands. Being small can actually be worse. If it's small enough to make it through the pickup screen, it will recirculate, wreaking havoc all over the place. Have someone mig up the hole in the flapper. One little Zap with a mig welder will fill your hole in and you won't have to worry about ruining your engine.

 

[Mustang5L5]

I would use a regular welder to fill the hole in.

But i don't think the hole would be your problem. All Throttle bodies have this hole except for a few aftermarket throttle bodies. On those cars that expeirence idle probs, it was cured by adding the hole or enlarging the hole.

 

[Daggar]

I don't think I've ever seen anyone other than one track only car actually plug that hole (doesn't mean other haven't done it). In that one instance, a small machine screw was put into the hole with high heat hardened sealant on the threads on the backside. No idea it will get you what your looking for or not. It's my understanding that the hole is there to prevent the butterfly valve from siezing closed under vaccum, collapsing, or worse. I see you're running a Vortech... I might be a little wary of plugging that hole... even with a bypass valve.

 

[TWRViper]

So, I'm hearing that I should get it welded rather than JB welded.

I have the 5.0 IAC bypass kit which should allow me to adjust how much air goes in.

Don't Ford Racing throttles seal completely?

Tom

 

[vristang]

JB Weld would probably get the job done.

However most TBs I have seen allow the plate to be removed. If you pull the plate out you may be able to fab a new one without the troublesome hole. The bolt idea is good as well, but I think I would torque it on with a nut AND hi-temp thread locker.


Good Luck

 

[TWRViper]

Yeah I should be able to unscrew it. I've got a friend with a welder. I'll see if he can do it....

Otherwise I might try JB weld since I've done alot with it before. It is suppost to be strong enough for inside an engine, so it should be able to plug a small hole in the tb. hot weld first choice tho.

Kevin at Performance Autosport said that I should get rid of the hole and he should be able to adjust my IAC bypass and tweak the chip to control idle with the IAC.

Does this sound right?

 

[TWRViper]

Thanks for all your help. I ended up using JB Weld. I did it carefully and it dried very strong.

I am taking the car to Performance Autosport today to get it retuned.

BTW Anyone have a problem with pegging their 75 ProM bullet MAF? PAS thinks that my meter is being pegged. It is calibrated for my 36# injectors
I am getting 353rwhp.

 

[TWRViper]

I just got the car back from PAS! Idles at about 500rpms and sounds really mean. They retuned it and got 393rwhp!!!! Thanks for the help