Topic: 68 FE smog system

[Bob Gaines]

Good point. Maybe I will turn it around so the brace doesn't hit the snoot of the coil. I'll wrap the end to keep it from accidentally getting scratched. I'll let you know how it works out.

i think I have the alternator belt issue figured out. marti auto works shipping two new belts today so hope to have them by weekend.

Yes ,turn the coil around before adjusting. I meant to say that. Bob

[68 S Code]

Bob thanks for the words of wisdom and direction on getting the smog tube correctly aligned. Used the hose across the top as a guide to getting it positioned correctly. It had a small bend in it and I bought the tube and check valve up to the hose end. Thanks again.

[Bob Gaines]

I am glad I could help. I hesitate to use the word perfect but the tubes orientation looks typical (a good thing) to what I have observed on other unmolested cars. Bob 

[68 S Code]

Thanks Again.
I'm a little closer to firing it up now.

[TLea]

Rich, tube looks good now but wanted to point out a couple other items that stand out

BB Holley throttle spring is usually black
BB distributor primary wire usually has white boot
Coil has a specific orientation of terminals, look at assembly manual
Distibutor hold down natural, bolt cad
Water neck ported thermal fitting brass and anodized not painted

[68 S Code]

Tim thanks for the comments much appreciated.
When I ordered the spring from Bill at Mansfield initially I asked for a black one as manual called it out black. Bill said black was for a CJ but green was correct for a 390. I have to send back some belts so I could exchange the spring. Question is what is correct for an S code.

Regarding wire it was replaced during rebuild by Tim O Conner because the original lead had a break in the insulation. I too am bothered by the green boot. Tim didn't send it back.

I thought I oriented the coil with terminals stacked along carb side as Bob G had suggested. Gave it a turn of degrees off vertical (not much though) to show stamp on coils. Member here did a nice job stamping it. Regretfully I sent him possibly an NOS one versus the original because it had a dent in it. I see some small letters/numbers on the yellow top so I may fix the dent and have that one stamped. I don't have the engine assembly manual.

Regarding distributor hold down the clamping bracket is natural steel? the blue looked out of place but I thought it might be black?

[68 S Code]

Forgot one.

I cleaned up the vacuume fitting as you mentioned but the restorer who built the engine for me painted it blue so good
Catch as I haven't filled the cooling system yet. I'll strip it tomorrow.

Thanks and keep the comments coming. I'd rather fix it before I fill it full of fluids.

[Bob Gaines]

The vacuum switch is not painted as Tim indicated however it was installed when the engine was painted and some kind of mask was used to keep it from being overall painted . The bottom threads and maybe partially on the brass would have a soft feathered blue paint transition line from my observations on unmolested cars. Bob

[68 S Code]

Bob thanks for the tip i will see what i can do to make it look a little more original once I clean it up. I Promise not to take a wire wheel to it.

[TLea]

I'm sticking with black for all holley equipped big blocks. If you are getting stuff from Bill, he has leads with white boots. Coil terminals are stacked but on the valve cover side.

[68 S Code]

Ok Tim I will give bill a call and get the distr lead and spring. Jeff mentioned that vacuume strap may be brass and not alum on a Dearborn car so I can swap that out also. Can't believe ESC decal kit is so expensive and does not include aircleaner decals. Who makes the best repop of the 390 lid decal and the airfilter decal? Does it get a FRONT decal?

Does anyone know if the aircleaner snorkel on an S code is to has an external vacuum motor to operate the flapper? The shop manual shows a generic illustration of a vacuum motor hanging off the side of the dropdown where the door is. Checked eBay last night and S code snorkel but Andy at mag mustang had a J code and x code snorkle. The J code has a bracket and motor. The X code has neither. My S snorkle does not have evidence of a mounting tab ever being there. I have another S and X snorkle in my collection and no tabs either. The vacuum diagram book I have refers to a hose w/ blue stripe going to vacuum motor on LH side aircleaner body  and a hose w/ black stripe going to snorkle side. Is this only on small blocks or maybe just J code? Do I need to look for a vacuums motor and tab?

Thanks

[Bob Gaines]

I'm sticking with black for all holley equipped big blocks. If you are getting stuff from Bill, he has leads with white boots. Coil terminals are stacked but on the valve cover side.

I have seen the coil index both ways in the field. The assembly manual shows towards the valve cover. Perkins had it index towards the carb side in his 94 MM article which may have biased my opinion. Bob

[Bob Gaines]

Bob thanks for the tip i will see what i can do to make it look a little more original once I clean it up. I Promise not to take a wire wheel to it.

If you want a more accurate look for the vacuum tree ,the gray pot metal finish of the vacuum tree is supposed to be the same gold finish used on the Holley carb body's. If you lightly dust the gray part with some of the Eastwood Carb renew it looks much closer to original gold look then the faded gray used potmetal look. FYI I see the NPD has come out with a repro of the vacuum tree just minus the Ford engineering number and date. Bob

[TLea]

I've seen aluminum and brass used but brass is more common. Jeff can probably better answer the air cleaner questions

[J_Speegle]

............. Does it get a FRONT decal?

NO

Does anyone know if the aircleaner snorkel on an S code is to has an external vacuum motor to operate the flapper?

No

The shop manual shows a generic illustration of a vacuum motor hanging off the side of the dropdown where the door is. Checked eBay last night and S code snorkel but Andy at mag mustang had a J code and x code snorkle. The J code has a bracket and motor. The X code has neither.

You're just going to get confused by looking at other applications


Not sure what a "mounting tab" is