Hi all,
Last year, while driving down to SUNI, I broke the air cleaner stud with a
couple hundred miles to go. I had previously jam-nutted the stud (which was
a piece of 1/4" threaded rod) in place, and it broke right above the jam
nut. Fortunately the top nut and washer didn't let the upper stud fragment
go, and I was able to pitch the whole air cleaner in the trunk until I got
to the hardware store at big sky.
I think part of the reason was just the ongoing steady vibration, and the
second reason is that there wasn't anything otherwise retaining the air
cleaner (I don't have the PCV breather hose connected there).
Anyway, be warned... Don't know what you're gonna do about it, but there it
is. I replaced my threaded rod with a Loc-tited machine bolt (grade 5).
Maybe the right thing is a bolt with a reduced-diameter shank so as to move
the stress concentration away from the threads, and then some kind of
vibration damper (the PCV plumbing?) on the air cleaner bottom itself.
Regards,
Theo
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Wright, Larry [SMTP:larry.wright@usop.com]
> Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2000 1:17 PM
> To: National Corporation (E-mail)
> Subject: inquiry 042700m
>
> Following up on the discussions on air cleaners, take a look at
> this. I lifted it (shame!) off a Cobra website (names deleted to protect
> the
> innocent):
>
> >Hey Gang:
> >3 weeks ago I literally grenaded my 460 crate motor while
> > backing up the driveway. Tear-down revealed I ingested
> >one of the air-cleaner studs---piston shatters--parts exit via
> >hole in side of block and oil pan.
>
> A fluke? Well, read on:
> >S____:
> >It must be catching!! 2 weeks ago, I destroyed my 351 stroker
> >starting it in the morning. Apparently the lock nut from
> >said stud had come loose the previous day and was laying on
> >the secondary butterfly. Primed the engine, hit the starter, and
> >BOOM. #8 piston, head, cracked block. Hey guys - Check your
> >air cleaner studs - or replace them with machine bolts from the top.
>
> Sheesh! I _think_ I Loc-Tited my air cleaner stud in (plus a
> locknut) back when I installed the engine -- but I don't remember. Just
> one
> more thing to worry about! My 302 "crate motor" has just enough cam in it
> to
> shake a fair amount at idle.
> Larry Wright
> "I can't get no-- Satis-Traction"
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