Road draft tube gasket???

[emorrison96]

Hey guys - simple question that I have not been able to find an answer for so far; if your FE was originally equipped with a road draft tube, was there a gasket between the tube and the intake manifold?  If so are they available anywhere or is a "make your own" the only option available?

Thanks in advance!

[thatdarncat]

Most FE's had a cast iron intake and the road draft tube just pushed into the back of the manifold, similar to the dipstick tube pushing into the block. It was the aluminum intake manifolds that used a bolt-on road draft tube or cover, and yes they did use a gasket. Just for reference ( in case you stumble across one ) the gasket part numbers were C0AE-6A632-A ( for '60 352 HP ) and C1AE-6A632-A for all the other aluminum manifolds from '61 on. They are long obsolete from Ford.

I've never tried to see if NAPA or any parts house carries the specific part, they may. What I have found is a Gates 33624 thermostat gasket is a pretty close fit and available at the local auto parts store. Not exact, but close. I can't comment on if the material it's made of is appropriate. The FE thermostat gasket would also work in a pinch, although the bolt holes are off. Here's a link to the Gates part:

http://www.jegs.com/i/Gates/465/33624/10002/-1

I'll add here that originally there was a little basket that went in that hole before bolting down the tube or cover, filled with something that looked like coarse steel wool designed to keep all your oil from being sucked out, make sure you have that.

I believe I've seen Barry at Survival Motorsports carry that part, he may supply the gasket too if you want to try for the correct part. Blue Thunder may make one too to go with their manifolds, if you don't try Barry you could try Carl's Ford Parts. I also see Dearborn Steel Tubing lists the gasket on their website.

And finally I'd say I think you'd probably be fine with just something like the Motorcraft TA-31 sealant.

[bn69stang]

The blue thunder intakes come with a cover and a gasket , don t know if they would sell them separate or not ..  sealant .. Bud

[Qikbbstang]

your oil from being sucked out,"

     I was surprised to see an original iron draft tube FE intake at a machine shop and really appreciated the engineering that went into it way back in late 50s early 60s when the road draft tubes were in use prior to PCV systems.  The steel wool was actually a woven rectangular bronze/brass pad in a stamped steel tray riveted to the manifolds underside. It was located on the underside of the intake above the valley tray and situated so the mist/vapors in the still air chamber between the valley tray and the intakes bottom would pass through the pad on their way toward the draft tube.  The use of a large pad remotely located is far superior to a small pad inside the tube due to the gas/vapor/mist velocities and coalescing draining off the oil.
   Of course the last thing is the road draft circuit is never under suction/vacuum so nothing gets "sucked out" it's pressure system
   

[ScotiaFE]

I think the way the road draft works is with a very small draw on the hose.
The opening of the hose is lower than the connection point and there for will draw down with even the slightest
air movement.
You have to do a bunch of math on it, but it should create a draw. All be it very small.
And unless you are going for they way it was back in the day.
PUT a proper PCV system on the engine.

[cammerfe]

I don't remember ANY hose having to do with the road-draft set-up on my new '64 8V 427/Custom. My '65 K-Mustang came with a PCV in the back of the passenger-side rocker cover. Within several weeks I'd put on all the Shelby stuff including a road-draft tube from the parts department. There was no hose associated with that system either.

KS

[jayb]

I think Howie was just talking about the end of the tube, which is down below the engine in the airstream on most road draft tube setups.

[ScotiaFE]

Yes Jay I was just going for a general description of how a road draft tube worked.
As we all know the automobile has evolved over the last few years.
Now we get a little wrench light that comes on when even a small leak is detected.
So I opened the hood with my wrench in hand and saw nothing wrong and closed the hood a drove on.

[rockhouse66]

Rear counter shows one of the C1AE gaskets at a place called NOS Only in San Jose, CA.  I never heard of them.  They do have a phone number.

Nos Only
Address: 414 Umbarger Road, San Jose, CA 95111
Phone:(408) 227-2353