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Viperwolf1

Contributor
electron whisperer
Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
24,316
In keeping with the lo buck/recycled theme, a Crate GT40 block that I scored from the Curt LeDuc swap meet is going in. Low mile long block for $200! It came with a carb intake minus accessories. When opened up for inspection, it showed really clean internals. New seals were installed throughout. Im not certain what the application is on the aluminum oil pan but its a ford part number and it fits the Hi pinion D44 at full stuff perfectly. Im runnin' it!

A visit to the local boneyard turned up an Explorer upper and lower that will be used with a mass air harness and EECIV for this conversion.
That's an explorer pan. Explorer heads too. It might just be an explorer engine.
 

BajaBronco

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Apr 30, 2003
Messages
3,931
Yay for the thread! Cool build man! I was lucky enough to stand next it and see in person. Pretty awesome.
 

toddz69

Sponsor/Vendor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 28, 2001
Messages
10,080
X2! What a great looking build, Mike!!

Todd Z.
 

mattt

Bronco Guru
Joined
Sep 23, 2006
Messages
3,810
Sweet build there Mike. Stay after it. The inner fender ventilation job is really clean...nice work.
 
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builtfords

builtfords

Jr. Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2003
Messages
81
That's an explorer pan. Explorer heads too. It might just be an explorer engine.

The seller claimed it was a 345 HP Ford crate engine in a prerunner'd Explorer used in two races. The Vbelt crank pulley, standard rotation water pump, carb intake and dealer tag riveted (Daimler?!) on the block all point towards a crate. I didn't feel like tearing into the timing chain for cam markings but fingers crossed its what was advertised. If not an Explorer 5.0 is perfectly acceptable.

The one hangup may be that I ordered a custom torque converter from Continental matched to the GT40 crate cam specs. Might not play well with a stock Explorer cam but I'm up for the upgrade should it be necessary.

I still had the EB C4 left over from my trail rig rehab. A good friend built the C4 for me with mild shift kit, upgraded servos and clutches.
 

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builtfords

builtfords

Jr. Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2003
Messages
81
Yay for the thread! Cool build man! I was lucky enough to stand next it and see in person. Pretty awesome.
X2! What a great looking build, Mike!!
Todd Z.
Sweet build there Mike. Stay after it. The inner fender ventilation job is really clean...nice work.
The skills you all have embarrass and humble me. I really like this build.

Thanks so much for the kind words fellas! I was hoping the "DIY" aspect would buy some forgiveness on perfection and still deliver a kewl functional rig. Assembly started by bolting on axles, engine and trans.

Trail Worthy Fab on Pirate delivered some hard to get 16.5 x 37" military takeoff MTR's for the steelies so I could get back to roller mode. I know the 16.5's aren't the best since they have no safety bead retention but they're gonna do for now. I also bought a set for my crewcab's 16.5 slots. 95% percent tread MTR's for $200 bucks each got me ordering...
 

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builtfords

builtfords

Jr. Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2003
Messages
81
Thank you gents!!!

I scored an Explorer Serp setup from my bud Scott (thanks brotha!). I've read it to be okay by some but the lower idler pulley and engine crossmember were too close for me. I notched the frame for peace of mind while everything was accessible.

Fuel System: Ive found the working combination of rear exit Explorer fuel rails and mid 80's F250 fuel lines to be affordable, clean and easy with only minor tweaking. After the frame mounted F250 pump and filter it changes to push lock/AN and EFI rated fuel hose to the tank.

I also ponied up for some JBA Wild Horses shorties as the headers I was trying to fit would not allow use of a stock Auto column shifter (which is in the plans). Building of the exhaust followed using mandrel bent aluminized tubing and a buddys take off dual in single out Flowmaster 70 series RV muffler.
 

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builtfords

builtfords

Jr. Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2003
Messages
81
Originally the stock EB track bar and (Dana30 robbed) lower axle mount located the full width HP Dana 44. As the rig was coming together I decided I want to shift gears and try a full size track bar and mount on the outside of the radius arm. I cut off the stock bolt, built a custom axle mount and bought an adjustable full size Bronco track bar to perfectly center the axle. A Ruffstuff steering linkage and GM tie rod ends complete the front geometry with eye pleasing, minimum slope, parallel results, lets hope it drives right.

Currently the rig is being set up on stock coils and de-leafed 5 1/2" leaf packs to start at a "stock" height and close to 50/50 travel on the shocks. The rear deaver spring packs retain the military wrap but been reduced to 8 leafs for now.
 

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builtfords

builtfords

Jr. Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2003
Messages
81
Picked up some single stage Poppy Red/ Calypso Coral and shot the engine compartment so I could reunite the tub and chassis. Painting in a plastic walled shop is a challenge... Im keeping expectations low as I am certain this one will get wheeled.

I also graduated to an electric hoist which easily allowed tub placement.
 

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builtfords

builtfords

Jr. Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2003
Messages
81
Super pleased with engine bay paint. The polished intake looks killer but I'm thinking more along the lines of a factory appearing engine compartment.

After cutting out the door jamb supports I leveled and fastened the tub spending lots of time getting the door jambs square as possible. I found a decent set of doors, stripped 'em down, rebuilt the hinges and began prepping for paint along with the rest of the body.
 

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BajaBronco

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Apr 30, 2003
Messages
3,931
I did not... they were brittle AF, cracked and came apart on the few I tried to save. Pretty much assumed they were unusable.

Don't tell me...:cry:

No biggie. If they were crumbly there was nothing to do! I have a small stash of them and almost a set.

I gotta box a dash pad tonight!
 

nutter3

Full Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2005
Messages
302
Very nice build! And I would mention as well that I love your crewcab. Do you have a build on it anywhere? I have a 75 crew project I'm collecting parts for.
Getting your kids to help is so awesome. Is this build for the boy? I have a bronco project for my oldest boy (currently 8yo), with the expectation from him that he will be helping with it or it won't be his.
 
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builtfords

builtfords

Jr. Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2003
Messages
81
Very nice build! And I would mention as well that I love your crewcab. Do you have a build on it anywhere? I have a 75 crew project I'm collecting parts for.
Getting your kids to help is so awesome. Is this build for the boy? I have a bronco project for my oldest boy (currently 8yo), with the expectation from him that he will be helping with it or it won't be his.

Thanks guys! Unfortunately no online build for the Crewcab, sorry. Its basically a bone stock '79 (still passes CA smog!!!) with upgraded Snowfighter Dana 60, 37" MTR's on slot mags, 2" suspension, rear airbags, 4.88 gears and front/rear powerlocks. The interior, factory A/C and 98% of the XLT chrome is all still there. Someday a frame off restoration will happen but I've been using it regularly for the time being and making updates and repairs as needed.

My kid earns his gas and insurance money for his '65 Ford Falcon by working in my shop (I pay him top $$ haha). He is a GREAT son and has access to any of our Broncos and trucks. The day he stops helping me is the day he pays his own way and rent :) Next series of pics show his hard work in block sanding the Bronco...

Thanks for the compliment!!
 
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