Had a GP come over today to get a new Phenolic spacer installed. Putting it in was easy, but did have some problems after.

In the shop and ready to start.


Got the supercharger off and cleaned up the IC core a bit. Some snout oil was between the SC and the core.


Everything out and cleaned up. About a half hour at the most at this point.


First gasket in place.


Had to modify the spacer a bit. Cleaning it up here.


A little RTV.


Spacer is in place, put this in right after you placed the IC core in, then Chris says, wouldn't that be better under the core? Ahhh, ya, I was just testing the fit. :bonk:


Another gasket and more RTV


Got the core in place and ya, another gasket and more RTV.


Got it all back in and lined up.


And here she is, all torqued and running great, after a few little problems.


It all went back together easy. About a hour and a half and it was ready to start. But it didn't run right. A SES light came on, ran bad. What the heck? Shut it down. The code was MAF. All plugged in. Spent 2 hours checking things. Why wont this work. Got the computer and did a scan, MAF was reading zero, the TPS was saying 100%. I'm like, the plugs are idiot proof, they only go in one way. Chris finally noticed that his ICU wasn't on. So he'* poking around trying to figure that out. I check a few wires and re solder them. Then I pulled all the plugs out and started over. Hmm, what'* this? I think that'* for the ICU. This plug is exactly the same as that plug. Hmm, what'* this plug for, ahh The MAF. So I start plugging things in and right when I plug in the last one I here Chris say, it'* working. Really? What did you do? Nothing. Ahh, I think I just plugged it in. Start it up. Runs great, all readings look right. Who ever installed that ICU used the same plug at the MAF, real smart, then have both plugs within a few inches of each other.

may i ask what the spacer is used for? To make the SC stand out more?

It'* a heat barrier. It helps hold back a lot of the heat from the engine from heating up the intercooler core. That way the IC core is removing charge heat instead of engine heat.

Have you seen these hold up in the long run Dan. In industrial applications I have used them (for dielectric purposes) they work as good current isolators where heat resistant properties are needed. But dont last long. Heat was caused by high current amperage into stainless steel plating tanks. It may have been a little hotter than an engine block. Typically phenolic blocks would last us 9 months to a year.

This is actually the first one I installed. He has a throttle body spacer of teh same material that has been there for a while. But less heat. I will be keeping a close eye on it. My biggest concern is the differences in expansion.

A lot of people use them on 5.0L Mustangs with no problems. For those cars it fits between the Plenum and the LIM. They get used on naturally aspirated, super and turbocharged engines.

Nice job on the install. It seems like you know your way around 3800s pretty well.