Hi All,
This weekend, we installed the Apten aux cooling kit for the blown 4.7. And while the kit looks like it will perform as advertised (improve cooling on the #7 & #8 cylinders) there are a couple of items that could stand a bit of improvement.
When installed, the kit adds another path for the hot water trapped at the back of the driver’s side cylinder head. The kit is comprised of a length of hose, 4 hose clamps, a PVC barbed "T" fitting, a set of instructions and the fitting (the same Ford item located at the back of the passenger side cylinder head) which connects the drivers side head to the passenger side head (see the photo).
Before I get into the specific areas of improvement, I just though I would state the following. I was told by Apten that this kit could be installed while the engine was in the car, but the trans would have to be removed. I guess it could be done, but I would not want to fight with the installation of this kit while the engine was in the car. If you doubt me on this one, just look at your engine and imagine attempting to remove the freeze plug at the back of the driver’s side head while the engine is in the car. It can be done, but I imagine it would be quite an ordeal. Also, the aluminum heads are quite soft and nicking the inner race while removing the plug is a real possibility.
As far as the actual kit, the first area of improvement would be the assembly instructions. They are very "sparse" giving you the minimum amount of info necessary to complete the job. For example, the molded fitting you have to cut for the insertion of the barbed “T” has a small flow restrictor crimped inside. There is no mention of this item in the instructions and we just disposed of it when we made our cuts. This is just one minor item, but the instructions leave a lot of room for interpretation in many areas. I know that most who will attempt the installation of this kit will have the skills to install it, even if no instructions were included. After all, who reads the instructions anyway?
The second area of improvement would be replacing the PVC barbed "T" fitting with one more suitable for the job. THIS IS BY FAR MY GREATEST CONCERN WITH THE KIT. Schedule 80 PVC is only recommended for service up to 140 degrees F and the engine will reach temps of at least 180 or more. This does not mean that the fitting will fail at 140 degrees, but its life expectancy will be greatly reduced. The material will soften over time and suffer from stress fractures, etc... Also, a single barb instead of the multiple barb fitting supplied will be less prone to leaking in this type of application. We replaced the PVC fitting (about $1.00) with a 316 SS fitting. There were other options. CPVC is good up to 180 (about $2.00). PVDF is good above 200 (about $12.00). Aluminum is available (about $18.00). But we went the indestructible route with the 316SS at $27.00. The 316SS is a bit pricy, but we thought it was money well spent. Especially when considering what you would have to go through if you ever needed to replace this item.
The third area of improvement is in the "Ford" fitting supplied with the kit. It is designed for the passenger side of the car. While it is true that you could install the item just as described in the kit, we made two minor modifications that just seemed to make sense to us. We drilled a hole in the fitting to allow the re-installation of a bracket and also to positively seat the fitting and keep it from possibly working its way free in the future. We then ground off some of the unnecessary area of the tab just because it looked like a more professional installation.
Also, you are going to have to make a modification to your EGR connection. The SS line runs right over the new fitting and is also extremely close to the rubber hose connected at the top. The instructions state to "bend" this line for clearance. We have not "bent" ours yet, because there is a lot of debate as to the best way to do this. I will be posting photos when we complete this section of the installation.
If you make these (or similar) modifications, I am sure you will be happy with the installation. While I think that a company like Apten would supply a more thoroughly engineered product. The peace of mind I now have knowing that I have improved one of my engines problem areas is priceless.
Catch you all later.
SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/
This weekend, we installed the Apten aux cooling kit for the blown 4.7. And while the kit looks like it will perform as advertised (improve cooling on the #7 & #8 cylinders) there are a couple of items that could stand a bit of improvement.
When installed, the kit adds another path for the hot water trapped at the back of the driver’s side cylinder head. The kit is comprised of a length of hose, 4 hose clamps, a PVC barbed "T" fitting, a set of instructions and the fitting (the same Ford item located at the back of the passenger side cylinder head) which connects the drivers side head to the passenger side head (see the photo).
Before I get into the specific areas of improvement, I just though I would state the following. I was told by Apten that this kit could be installed while the engine was in the car, but the trans would have to be removed. I guess it could be done, but I would not want to fight with the installation of this kit while the engine was in the car. If you doubt me on this one, just look at your engine and imagine attempting to remove the freeze plug at the back of the driver’s side head while the engine is in the car. It can be done, but I imagine it would be quite an ordeal. Also, the aluminum heads are quite soft and nicking the inner race while removing the plug is a real possibility.
As far as the actual kit, the first area of improvement would be the assembly instructions. They are very "sparse" giving you the minimum amount of info necessary to complete the job. For example, the molded fitting you have to cut for the insertion of the barbed “T” has a small flow restrictor crimped inside. There is no mention of this item in the instructions and we just disposed of it when we made our cuts. This is just one minor item, but the instructions leave a lot of room for interpretation in many areas. I know that most who will attempt the installation of this kit will have the skills to install it, even if no instructions were included. After all, who reads the instructions anyway?
The second area of improvement would be replacing the PVC barbed "T" fitting with one more suitable for the job. THIS IS BY FAR MY GREATEST CONCERN WITH THE KIT. Schedule 80 PVC is only recommended for service up to 140 degrees F and the engine will reach temps of at least 180 or more. This does not mean that the fitting will fail at 140 degrees, but its life expectancy will be greatly reduced. The material will soften over time and suffer from stress fractures, etc... Also, a single barb instead of the multiple barb fitting supplied will be less prone to leaking in this type of application. We replaced the PVC fitting (about $1.00) with a 316 SS fitting. There were other options. CPVC is good up to 180 (about $2.00). PVDF is good above 200 (about $12.00). Aluminum is available (about $18.00). But we went the indestructible route with the 316SS at $27.00. The 316SS is a bit pricy, but we thought it was money well spent. Especially when considering what you would have to go through if you ever needed to replace this item.
The third area of improvement is in the "Ford" fitting supplied with the kit. It is designed for the passenger side of the car. While it is true that you could install the item just as described in the kit, we made two minor modifications that just seemed to make sense to us. We drilled a hole in the fitting to allow the re-installation of a bracket and also to positively seat the fitting and keep it from possibly working its way free in the future. We then ground off some of the unnecessary area of the tab just because it looked like a more professional installation.
Also, you are going to have to make a modification to your EGR connection. The SS line runs right over the new fitting and is also extremely close to the rubber hose connected at the top. The instructions state to "bend" this line for clearance. We have not "bent" ours yet, because there is a lot of debate as to the best way to do this. I will be posting photos when we complete this section of the installation.
If you make these (or similar) modifications, I am sure you will be happy with the installation. While I think that a company like Apten would supply a more thoroughly engineered product. The peace of mind I now have knowing that I have improved one of my engines problem areas is priceless.
Catch you all later.
SN65
Come see this WIP at
Julian's Collision Center
http://www.julianscollisioncenter.com/
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