Sanderson 2BBLFC Copper Adapters for Ford 351C/M and 400 Engines

Background:

All Sanderson headers for the Ford 351C, 351M, and 400 engines are made with the 4V (four-barrel) flange for the larger port cylinder heads. If using 2V (two-barrel) cylinder heads, the Sanderson #2BBLFC copper adapter plate set is required.

Is high-temp silicone sealer required when using these adapters?

Many applications require a thin smear of high-temperature silicone on both the cylinder head and header side of the adapter plate. Do not apply the silicone directly to the copper adapter. It is best to apply the silicone to the raised flange on the header and around the exhaust port on the cylinder head. Annealing the adapters can remove this recommendation. 

Annealing the adapters is a heating/cooling process for copper that makes the material slightly softer. Most DIY (do-it-yourself) builders do not have access to an oven or balanced heat source that will properly heat the copper adapter. Perform a Google search for more information on annealing copper and what it involves. Do not trust the shortcut methods that recommend a torch.

Annealing copper is a heat-treating process used to restore its malleability after it has become brittle from bending, hammering, or use. When we bend, hammer, twist, or clamp copper, its internal crystal structure compresses, causing "work hardening." This makes the metal stiff and brittle, which can lead to cracks or fractures. The annealing process forces the molecules to relax and form new, unstrained grains, allowing us to easily shape the copper again without breaking it.

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