[Bob with the 66]

I have a 98 Ford C.Vic, 4.6 v8 with a leaking thermostat cover.

Can someone tell me the correct torque for the 2 bolts that are used.

I ask because it looks like the bolts might also hold the intake to the head on the driver side. I can't tell for sure, I figured someone might be able to confirm this.

I was hoping to just replace the gasket and replace the thermostat while apart.

Have to keep the old girl running, sure can't afford a car payment right now.

Thank you in advance.

[mechanickeith]

IIRC it is 18 lb ft. Not too much due to the plastic/rubber intake gaskets. Thermostat seal is an "O" ring. Rub a bit of grease on the o ring before reassembly. No big deal, just snugg everything up & run it.

[salem1912]

pix

[Bob with the 66]

Thank both of you for input and information.

Grease and 18 ft. pounds helps me out, and the picture really makes life easy.

My weekend to do list just got a little bit longer. (lol...)

[68gtoMN]

Remember also that these were the first-gen intakes that tended to crack in this area an leak into the intake. The later revision has the aluminum water passage instead of phenolic like the rest of the manifold.

Good luck!

[Bob with the 66]

OK, I replaced the o ring and put a new thermostat in, started it up and once it got hot it leaked more than before. It wasn't due to a dirty surface, I cleaned everything like new.

I diassembled and reassembled with some orange sealant, and now it leaks just like it did before I started.

I did find a crack in the intake where the t-housing sets (cracked at the rim). I also see that I have a leak where the intake mates to the block/head too (coolant seeping at the gasket area).

Anyone have any idea what I should pay for a used intake?

Any input on what I should look for when purchasing?

Thank you in advance,

Bob

[mechanickeith]

Check the coolant passage at the thermostat area for corrosion. Check where the manifold bolts to the head. These manifolds are not hard to change. Use some brake kleen & an air blow gun to clean all the areas where the manifold meets the heads. When the manifold is off, check the head where the intake/thermostat bolts up for corrosion also.

[salem1912]

http://www.partspros.com/intake-manifolds.html

[Half-Inch Stud]

My 95 Lincolns' 4.6L T/Cs were all aluminum Intake & water crossover.
My 96 Lincoln 4.6L T/C has the "plastic" intake with aluminum water crossover.

I have seen & heard of the 1996 having "plastic" water crossovers and they crack-out in a way that totals the engine when it leaks. Seem leakers in the junkyard with "bad engine" I dunno if antifreeze finds its way into the sump or over-heating causes the demise.

Point is: If you got a "plastic" water crossover then you would be well-off to find an aluminum water crossover (with Thermostat HSG all there) in the U-Pull-It for like $15 and put that metal log on.

[INJUNTOM]

Buy the newer upgraded one. You already have a used one, and it was good the day before all this started..

[PunchT37]

They like to crack behind the alternator. Take a look there to verify.