Well, got the upgrade parts today and was able to get the installation done today as well after work. The install took me about 2 hours because its the first time I have wrenched on the F250 and the fitment of the pipe, given that its comprised of 4 parts each of which can rotate and need adjustment, took some time.
Its also the first time that I have needed Vaseline and window cleaner when working in an engine compartment. Stop giggling Jim and Chris. The Vaseline is for the lubrication (ok, now just Chris stop giggling) of an o-ring that gets removed from the old intercooler tube and placed into the new bad-assness part (beautiful CNC-machined aluminum piece) on the top of the engine. The window cleaner allows the boots to slip onto the pipe and will dry so not as to allow slippage later.
I used the H&S Intercooler kit and it comes with very good installation instructions. Even though the instructions provided are online and in color, I believe a couple of things are missing from them:
1 – There should be more detail about the fitment of the high quality bead-rolled stainless steel pipe to the boots. The pipe itself has raised ridges and I had some question about where the clamps should be placed in relation to the ridges on the pipe. I had seen a picture during my research showing the correct fitment but alas I did not bookmark it. I figured it out however and placed the clamps to the outside of the ridges on the boots so that any pressure created inside the boot would end up pushing the boot against the pipe and not OFF the pipe. That’s what we are trying to avoid in the first place…. well that and the pipe exploding. I don’t think this stainless steel pipe will explode like the plastic one did on Mike’s truck but I digress.
2- There should be a better picture showing the correct position of the air temperature sensor connector on the CNC machined aluminum part which fits on the throttle body assembly. I could not find a way to have the H&S logo on top as stated in the instructions as this would rotate the air temperature sensor connector right into the fan shroud. I still have not found a way to make two items occupy the same physical space thus my rotation solution.
3 – For those of us who are new to wrenching on our F250’s there should also be a mention of the “gold wrench”. Upon reconnecting the battery and jumping in the truck to start it, I was confronted with a nice golden wrench on the display on the dash. I assume this is the trucks way of telling you “hey someone disconnected my battery” as after I started the truck, turned it off and put the key back in – no more golden wrench. I am sure there is a better description of this on the Powerstroke forum.
4 – The instructions should also state that small children and those with sensitive hearing should not be present during the installation as foul language will most certainly be used and at increasing volumes.
So here are the pictures:
Kit:
Before:
During:
After:
I then took a vigorous test drive and threw some turbo pressure at the new parts and they did very well, didn’t blow up or off and got me home. There was a slight hiss on the long boot and a spray of windex while the turbo was spun up did show some bubbles so I tightened that clamp a bit more.
Time will tell but I now will feel more confident when towing or carrying some good weight in the truck. And if anything fails it will be my fault and I will know how to fix it.
This experience also has given me an idea for the trucks name. Yes, I name my vehicles but they must earn the name. Since the truck did draw blood and it has a blue logo, I was thinking that “blueblood” might work. Then I decided to extend that to some noble blueblood name, so I am thinking Alfred or something like that. Ohhh – how about Frederick the Ford? He was a pretty calm monarch. Plus Pixar does not have any hip white truck names and I will not call the truck “Mater”. I will have to run the idea past the naming committee (Linda).