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Topic: Rehabbing Explorer intake (Read 3394 times) previous topic - next topic

Rehabbing Explorer intake

Got myself an Explorer upper and lower.  It's been setting for a while and is lightly covered in that white corrosion that aluminum gets....but it easily brushes off by hand. But since I'm putting together a ncie ride I want to rehab it to look good but be easy to maintain.

The plan is to scotchbrite pad it to clean it up, wipe down with grease/wax remover, prime with etching primer then paint a satin color.....likely grey.

Your thoughts??
1988 T-Bird Sport Coupe--5.0 HO, MAF swap, 1-5/8" shorties, BBK/Flowmaster exhaust, Explorer intake, 70mm Edelbrock TB, T5, B&M short throw, Centerforce clutch and PP, disc brake TC rear w/ 3.55's, TC front brakes, '98 Cobra springs, DIY SFC's, other misc .  14.05 @ 98mph with launching too low and shifting too high.

Rehabbing Explorer intake

Reply #1
That is what I plan on doing.  Sounds like you got it nailed.
Mike

Rehabbing Explorer intake

Reply #2
The uppper, lower and valve pans are in primer...not sure of the final color...likely dark drey to match the car.  Also got the HO painted...Ford Blue!  Hope to get the accessory drive swapped over this week...lots of cleaning to do there.  That will have the motor pretty well done.  Then just need to do some rehab under the hood with the couple holes I found around the frame rails.
1988 T-Bird Sport Coupe--5.0 HO, MAF swap, 1-5/8" shorties, BBK/Flowmaster exhaust, Explorer intake, 70mm Edelbrock TB, T5, B&M short throw, Centerforce clutch and PP, disc brake TC rear w/ 3.55's, TC front brakes, '98 Cobra springs, DIY SFC's, other misc .  14.05 @ 98mph with launching too low and shifting too high.

Rehabbing Explorer intake

Reply #3
I've done a few Explorer intakes. getting ready to start another one as soon as I install the Cobra intake on the Sport. My first Explorer intake.....

'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Rehabbing Explorer intake

Reply #4
Hey Jerry !!! Those are your valve covers  on the pic above !!!!!
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Rehabbing Explorer intake

Reply #5
Very nice!!  But I'm looking to make have mine be a little more daily driver friendly....so getting caught in the rain won't require detailing the entire engine bay for hours!  I'd also rather spend time prepping the top side for some rally stripes or something.
1988 T-Bird Sport Coupe--5.0 HO, MAF swap, 1-5/8" shorties, BBK/Flowmaster exhaust, Explorer intake, 70mm Edelbrock TB, T5, B&M short throw, Centerforce clutch and PP, disc brake TC rear w/ 3.55's, TC front brakes, '98 Cobra springs, DIY SFC's, other misc .  14.05 @ 98mph with launching too low and shifting too high.

Rehabbing Explorer intake

Reply #6
I understand. After polished intakes for the last many years, I'm stepping down to a stock (but new) Cobra intake......although with a custom top plate.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Rehabbing Explorer intake

Reply #7
Quote from: Dan B.;369690
Got myself an Explorer upper and lower.  It's been setting for a while and is lightly covered in that white corrosion that aluminum gets....but it easily brushes off by hand. But since I'm putting together a ncie ride I want to rehab it to look good but be easy to maintain.

The plan is to scotchbrite pad it to clean it up, wipe down with grease/wax remover, prime with etching primer then paint a satin color.....likely grey.

Your thoughts??


That should work fine. I did the same thing except I used 800 grit sand paper to scuff the intake up.

88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Rehabbing Explorer intake

Reply #8
Wow....I LIKE that blue.....didn't think I would, but DANG, I like it!
1988 T-Bird Sport Coupe--5.0 HO, MAF swap, 1-5/8" shorties, BBK/Flowmaster exhaust, Explorer intake, 70mm Edelbrock TB, T5, B&M short throw, Centerforce clutch and PP, disc brake TC rear w/ 3.55's, TC front brakes, '98 Cobra springs, DIY SFC's, other misc .  14.05 @ 98mph with launching too low and shifting too high.

Rehabbing Explorer intake

Reply #9
I used the grey high heat engine paint that autozone sells on my intake and it just looks like aluminum without the upkeep. If you get gas on it, it will discolor though :(

88 Turbocoupe: Coast High Performance 331 kit 28oz balance, Comp XE264HR14 cam, 58cc 185 afr heads, 1.7 roller rockers, Mass-Flo EFI (was POS to setup and their techline is a joke at best)
Full 1 5/8 primary equal length headers, 2 1/2 exhaust, Full manual reverse VB c4 and baked off clear coat "BECAUSE RACECAR"

 

Rehabbing Explorer intake

Reply #10
I'd use the Duplicolor engine paint. It's gas and oil resistant.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.