Monday, August 10, 2015

Exhaust Header Heat Wrap

Thermal tape, Heat Tape, or Header Tape. Do not use on mild steel headers.

In Theory:

Header wraps are designed to keep the heat in the header which reduces radiant heat around the engine bay.
There is a slight, if any, performance gain.

Header manufactures or even custom header makers will void any warranty claims if header wrap is installed.

Facts:

Insulating the header with any type wrap will increase the surface temperature to molten levels causing metal fatigue and the tubing to crack. It will also trap moisture and a quick way to destroy mild steel headers.

Conclusion:

Heat wraps can be used on starters, fuel lines, or wiring in the engine bay.

Below:

These headers are destroyed after applying heat wrap within two months time. The tubing nearly crystallized
preventing any welding repair. All the tubing would need replacement.


Thursday, June 25, 2015

Kent engine oil dipsticks / timing covers

Three types of dipsticks for the Kent series front bowl oil pan. They should have the part number stamped on the end of the dipstick.

Anglia 105E/123E, Prefect 107E, Capri 109E, Cortina 1200.

P/N: 105E-6752 ( 997 / 1198 / 1340 engines )
Length: 17" to 19"
Full mark to center stop: 9.5"
Note: Error in Anglia 105E parts book:  listed 105E-6752 as 105E-6752B

Cortina MK1/2 1500, Capri 116E 1500.

P/N: 105E-6752B ( 1500 pre-crossflow )
Length: 18.5"
Full mark to center stop 9"

Cortina MK2 1600.

P/N: 2737E-6752A or DORY-6750B.
Length: 20.5"
Full mark to center stop: 9.5"
Note: 105E-6752 will interchange with DORY-6750B

Timing cover

P/N: 105E-6059B EnFo and DORY-6019A FoMoCo. Interchange.
Note: Only difference is the tube boss is slightly beefier on the later FoMoCo cover.

Dipstick tube

P/N: 105E-6754 or DORY-6754A
Tube length varies: 3.5" to 4"
Tube length inserted into timing cover: 3"

Dipstick notches and tubes wear out, in some cases, nearly 1/8" worn off the dipstick notch.
Causing an inaccurate oil quantity reading on the dipstick. A way around this is to apply 3/8" thin walled shrink tube around the notch. Cut length 1" and adjust 1/4"-1/2" below the notch.
Note: Will also help seal the dipstick tube preventing blow by from a worn engine.