ConcoursMustang Forums

Restoring - General discussions that span across many different groups of years and models => Drivetrain => Topic started by: fast66 on August 11, 2014, 05:40:59 PM

Title: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: fast66 on August 11, 2014, 05:40:59 PM
what is the thread size and is there a preferred plug, or does any plug with the correct thread do?
Thanks,
Claes
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: J_Speegle on August 11, 2014, 09:55:03 PM
Ford had available in their part system a plug made for this purpose with a tapped end to match the base of the hole in the head the same way the smog tubes and those fittings did.  IMHO not very attractive. These plug show up on Ebay from time to time like now. Don't know anything about the seller


(http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/2/6-120814144157.jpeg)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-C6AZ-6052-A-Ford-390-428-Thermactor-Emission-Port-Plugs-Smog-Port-Plugs-/221512806755?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3393313163&vxp=mtr (http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-C6AZ-6052-A-Ford-390-428-Thermactor-Emission-Port-Plugs-Smog-Port-Plugs-/221512806755?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3393313163&vxp=mtr)

Always found I had more issues when I removed a thermactor system on a 66 - so after a few times I just left them alone if they were already there in the day. But that is likely just me
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: jwc66k on August 12, 2014, 12:20:05 AM
Go to either Google or Yahoo search and put in "c6az-6052-a". We got a set of 8 for a friend under $40 plus about $6 shipping.
Jim
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: fast66 on August 12, 2014, 03:24:13 AM
Thanks for the info, guys! Appreciate it.

Any idea of the thread if I should not succeed in finding the original plugs?

br
Claes
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: fast66 on August 12, 2014, 03:43:23 AM
Well, I just found almost 2000 of these plugs through www.rearcounter.com
Maybe you all know about this search engine, and if not, it seems very useful.
thanks
Claes
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: Texas Swede on August 12, 2014, 12:24:51 PM
Hej Classe,
When I removed the Thermactor system on my 66 Coupe in the 70's I bought
the plugs in a hardware store in Vällingby. Wish I had kept the complete system
as they are difficult to find nowadays.
Texas Swede
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: dave6768 on August 12, 2014, 02:17:07 PM
I know they are a fine thread and from memory I believe are 1/2"-20.
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: lancelot66 on August 12, 2014, 04:09:10 PM
Feel like I'm late off the dime here but I'll try and have a definitive answer for you on thread size tonight, after I get home from work. Someone may just beat me to it...1/2 -20 sounds right though.
The ones I have are identicle to the ones Jeff's Link references. They're a perfect fitting part and representation of the original threaded nut and ferrule on the tube ends of the smog system.
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: lancelot66 on August 12, 2014, 10:26:50 PM
Yep, dave6768 is right on the money. Thread size of C6AZ-6052-A thermactor plugs are 1/2"-20. Got out my die set to be sure and that size die screws right on it, no issues.
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: fast66 on August 13, 2014, 03:16:52 AM
Thanks for the input - would that be a conical thread such as NPT?
//Claes
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: lancelot66 on August 13, 2014, 10:03:04 AM
Good question. On the plug, yes, it appears to be that way. Die threads up about halfway, then tightens and stops. On the threaded nut that slides over the tube, butting up against the ferrule at the end, appears to be a straight thread with no taper. Sounds like you won't be going this route though and staying with the plugs.
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: jwc66k on August 13, 2014, 12:27:08 PM
I "inherited" several small block smog heads from a friend who was going to toss them. Two with hardware store plugs had a few of the plugs frozen in place making the heads junk, I couldn't get the plugs out. The ones with the Ford plugs were salvageable and several were reused. Bottom line, use the Ford plug. I found many priced under $4 using Yahoo search.
Jim
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: jwc66k on August 13, 2014, 12:33:59 PM
Thanks for the input - would that be a conical thread such as NPT?
//Claes
No, standard thread. Use the Ford plug.
Jim
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: fast66 on August 14, 2014, 05:50:08 AM
Thanks Jim, and all - I will buy the ford plugs.
br
Claes
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: fast66 on August 14, 2014, 09:40:57 AM
ok, one final question - the packages in the pictures above are of 6 plugs each - isn't there one hole per cylinder (that is I need 8 plugs) or are there any more holes to plug that I have missed?
Maybe these kits fit several engines (i suppose)...

/C
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: J_Speegle on August 14, 2014, 01:38:42 PM
ok, one final question - the packages in the pictures above are of 6 plugs each - isn't there one hole per cylinder (that is I need 8 plugs) or are there any more holes to plug that I have missed?
Maybe these kits fit several engines (i suppose)...

/C

Correct for your application and style of Thermactor one hole per cylinder. Guess they had to choose a number to put into a box so they didn't have to package each one separately (though many dealerships would sell them that way) or inventory them that way. Lots of hardware parts came in boxes of 2-20 pieces not always designed around just a single application. Though 6 does work out well for a 6 cylinder car.
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: fast66 on August 14, 2014, 06:02:18 PM
Perfect, I hopefully have a set of eight plugs ordered and shipped to Texas Swede with a personal delivery to me in Sweden :-) Thanks again !
Claes
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: lancelot66 on September 17, 2014, 09:42:42 AM
Yes, exactly. You'll just need 8 of them - 1 for each cylinder :)
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: fast66 on September 18, 2014, 02:13:53 AM
... and got them about 2 weeks ago from "Texas Swede" when he was visiting the "old country" - Thanks Bo!
Funny though - never trust a shipping calculator - the quotes  I got was between $64 - $231 for that tiny little box ???

cheers!
Claes
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: J_Speegle on September 18, 2014, 02:43:51 AM
... and got them about 2 weeks ago from "Texas Swede" when he was visiting the "old country" - Thanks Bo!
Funny though - never trust a shipping calculator - the quotes  I got was between $64 - $231 for that tiny little box ???

Looks like a grenade or horseshoe estimate. Just a wild a** guess.

Can never figure out shipping. Sometimes it almost cheap other times its unbelievable.  Shipped a couple of Ranchero taillights (things are almost a foot long)  and frames to Australia a while back. Cost only $20 and they were there within two weeks
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: krelboyne on September 18, 2014, 02:18:09 PM
For shipping small items at 4 lbs or less internationally, and if tracking doesn't matter, the least expensive is UPS Mail Innovations. I think it is $5-7, per pound to almost any country, even Australia.
Title: Re: Want to plug air supply holes in CA -66 289 heads
Post by: J_Speegle on September 18, 2014, 05:48:11 PM
You guys would certainly know :)   And yes it was the US Postal service which sort of surprised me. Can't recall the package weight