Ford 460 water neck

Jeri · #1 (**permalink**) 07-06-2010, 02:54 PM

Need help again,

I put a D.U.I. Performance Distributor on my engine and found out that the water neck will not line up with the bolt holes anymore. It is off about an 1/8of an inch. I was wondering if any of you have run into this problem and have any suggestions on a new water neck?

As always your help is appreciated.

Jeri

STL Mark · #2 (**permalink**) 07-06-2010, 04:03 PM

I had a chrome one. It warped.
The guy at the auto parts store said they all do.
He sold me a cast iron one.
It will not warp.
I painted it silver.

Jeri · #3 (**permalink**) 07-07-2010, 01:53 PM

Thanks, Mark. I appreciate the info.

Jeri

PANAVIA · #4 (**permalink**) 07-07-2010, 02:05 PM

I remember some heavy grinding on a setup we had to do. --

jetsbaby · #5 (**permalink**) 07-08-2010, 04:12 PM

I have the same distributor and you need to buy an offset thermostat housing..Is the distributor hitting the water neck?? Mine does..I went to NAPA and got the offset housing which is recommended by Performance Distributors..Part # BK6051090..Should take car of your problems..

Jeri · #6 (**permalink**) 07-13-2010, 12:15 PM

Problem solved. I took your advice and went to Napa Auto and got one of their water necks. I still had to do a little grinding on the offset area, but all went well. It fits!

Thanks for all the input.

ebustin · #7 (**permalink**) 07-13-2010, 02:47 PM

Try this link www.meziere.com. I had a problem, they had a fix

Jeri · #8 (**permalink**) 07-14-2010, 04:03 PM

Thanks, Ed.

I went to the Meziere's web-site and checked out the housings like you suggested. They look great, just what I am after.

After the grinding and taking the flaws out of the one I bought from Napa Auto parts the other day, I was going to take it and have it powder coated. But from the looks of what Meziere has to offer I can scratch that idea.

One question. Can you tell me the over all deminsions of the one you have?
You know the standard thing such as: height, length, width, and depth. Espcially the height. That's where I ran into my problem.

I look forward in hearing from you. Thanks again.

Jeri

KrAzEcJ · #9 (**permalink**) 09-15-2010, 10:10 AM

Withdrawn, misunderstood the OP's problem

Jeri · #10 (**permalink**) 09-15-2010, 02:26 PM

Hi Ed,

I was just down your way two weeks ago. I forgot how great it is in San Diego.
The distributor I have is a Davis Unified Ignition (D.U.I.) system, distributed by Performance Distributors. This distributor has the coil and dyna- module built into the cap. When I placed the Meziere into place I have the same old problem as I did with the other necks, 1/4" off. The problem is the back of the housing hits the bottom of the distributor, preventing, the bolt holes from lining up properly. It's driving me crazy. I'm beginning to think I might have to design my own water neck and have it machined from a block of aluminum. It probably will cost me an arm and leg.

I just talked with the guys at Mez and they said there was nothing they could do. You're right though, nice guys.

Well, I'll let you know what's next.

Jeri

Jeri · #11 (**permalink**) 09-15-2010, 02:35 PM

Hi Ed,

I was just down your way two weeks ago. I forgot how great it is in San Diego.
The distributor I have is a Davis Unified Ignition (D.U.I.) system, distributed by Performance Distributors. This distributor has the coil and dyna- module built into the cap. When I placed the Meziere into place I have the same old problem as I did with the other necks, 1/4" off. The problem is the back of the housing hits the bottom of the distributor, preventing, the bolt holes from lining up properly. It's driving me crazy. I'm beginning to think I might have to design my own water neck and have it machined from a block of aluminum. It probably will cost me an arm and leg.

I just talked with the guys at Mez and they said there was nothing they could do. You're right though, nice guys.

Well, I'll let you know what's next.

Jeri

Jeri · #12 (**permalink**) 09-16-2010, 12:17 PM

Ed,

I gave CSR a try. Nothing there. But,tomorrow night, we have a bunch of car guys that meet in the Sears parking lot for a get together, and I'm hoping this one cobra shows up. I've been told he has exactly what I'm looking for. I'll let you know what I find out.

Jeri

kitcarbp · #13 (**permalink**) 09-16-2010, 12:28 PM

Here are the three OEM "style" cast iron water necks I know of to fit the 429/460. These are aftermarket examples from "4 seasons". Made in China.

The (# 84859) with the single threaded port in the top is for 1969-1977 carb, car and truck applications. The chrome ones (that all warp) in the aftermarket are designed with this same single port.

The one without the threaded port (# 85185) (pictured here) is for the fuel injected 95-97 truck 460's.

There is another one used (pictured here) on the 78-94 that is a bit longer and has 2 threaded ports. This is 4-season part number 84860.

I also attached the pic of my OEM (GM... ooh bad word) air bleed valve I use on the top of the therm housing to bleed air out of system when filling. Makes my life a ton easier.

There are a few more that were used in production I think but these are the popular ones. The 351C therm outlets have same flange and bolt pattern but are straight up.

kitcarbp · #14 (**permalink**) 09-16-2010, 01:30 PM

Jeri, Have you investigated using the 351C thermostat housing, it has a lower "profile" and may clear your distributor ? Same flange and bolt pattern but I have not tried this personally. You would need a molded 90 degree elbow hose to come off the 351C housing which is a vertical outlet, but a 90 deg. elbow is easy to find at a local parts store in 1.5".