New Truck - Intake Manifold and Other Maint
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Joined: May 2015
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New Truck - Intake Manifold and Other Maint
Hey everyone,
I'm new to the forums and proud new owner of this:
A couple weeks ago I bought an '03 F150 with 130k on it and didn't know it at the time, but the intake manifold was cracked on the passenger side where the coolant crossover connects. There was no visible crack, but the leak was obvious when I saw a pool of coolant sitting on top of the block. Once removed, I flipped the intake manifold over and the crack was obvious.
Intake Manifold:
I spent 10 hours on Friday (5/22) swapping it out for a new Dorman manifold and did laser iridium plugs at the same time. I also cleaned everything in sight, looked like the previous owner only opened the hood to check fluids. Note: If you do this swap, make SURE you put the O-Ring on the elbow connector. The instructions don't mention an O-Ring, nor do they mention putting one on during installation.
Other Maint:
The next few things planned are:
Clean Interior - It's a fleet vehicle, so it's got rubber mats and hard plastic floors like a police car, easy to clean but looks like it's never been done.
Headlight Restore - The headlights are in horrible shape, very yellowed and oxidized.
Interior LED Swap - The more practical part of this is the map lights/festoons, the 'fun' part is a brighter gauge cluster.
Brake Light LED Swap - This is important for me because my current LED illuminates my tool boxes and lights up my mirror, the effect means I can't see anything in my rear-view while braking.
I'm looking for practical, easy, and cheap. If there is anything I'm missing here, please let me know.
I'm new to the forums and proud new owner of this:
A couple weeks ago I bought an '03 F150 with 130k on it and didn't know it at the time, but the intake manifold was cracked on the passenger side where the coolant crossover connects. There was no visible crack, but the leak was obvious when I saw a pool of coolant sitting on top of the block. Once removed, I flipped the intake manifold over and the crack was obvious.
Intake Manifold:
I spent 10 hours on Friday (5/22) swapping it out for a new Dorman manifold and did laser iridium plugs at the same time. I also cleaned everything in sight, looked like the previous owner only opened the hood to check fluids. Note: If you do this swap, make SURE you put the O-Ring on the elbow connector. The instructions don't mention an O-Ring, nor do they mention putting one on during installation.
Other Maint:
The next few things planned are:
Clean Interior - It's a fleet vehicle, so it's got rubber mats and hard plastic floors like a police car, easy to clean but looks like it's never been done.
Headlight Restore - The headlights are in horrible shape, very yellowed and oxidized.
Interior LED Swap - The more practical part of this is the map lights/festoons, the 'fun' part is a brighter gauge cluster.
Brake Light LED Swap - This is important for me because my current LED illuminates my tool boxes and lights up my mirror, the effect means I can't see anything in my rear-view while braking.
I'm looking for practical, easy, and cheap. If there is anything I'm missing here, please let me know.
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Joined: May 2015
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Did the Dome and Map lights last night. Here are some befores of the dome light (Looking in from passenger window, in from interior, then at dash from interior):
And After (just dome):
This is with the dome and both maps on:
Last edited by personmans; May 29, 2015 at 06:55 PM.
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Post Moderation
Apparently my last post is awaiting moderation.
Short version: I did interior lights and I don't think the Dorman is entirely bad.
The Dorman definitely has a better gasket design and is a thicker plastic. The lack of threaded inserts was annoying, I definitely would have paid another $10 to have the brass inserts.
Short version: I did interior lights and I don't think the Dorman is entirely bad.
The Dorman definitely has a better gasket design and is a thicker plastic. The lack of threaded inserts was annoying, I definitely would have paid another $10 to have the brass inserts.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,522
Likes: 6
From: Utah
I've used a doorman intake with no issues. Allot of the bolts that in the OEM intake has metal sleeves are self tapping screw that go straight into the plastic. Thats the only"cheap" issue. They work just fine and some thing about it do seem better.
