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"The Nightmare" - '73 Explorer Father & Son Build Thread!

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JGbronc

JGbronc

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Got a box of goodies from Jeg's today. New Ford Motorsports double roller timing chain, new Ford oil pump, and Ford Motorsports B303 cam.

I also stopped by the machine shop to check on the work. It's going to be .040 over. I was hoping we could get by with .030, but they said it didn't clean up there. We had them order new Clevite bearings and Federal Mogul hypereutectic pistons. They were working on the balancing when I stopped by. The crank was turned .010/.010. I was hoping we could get by with just a polish, but it would've been out of tolerance.

I ordered and picked up a Fel-Pro complete gasket set, and had to order the Fel-Pro GT-40 intake gaskets separate since they are different. The intake gaskets are at the machine shop so they can be gasket matched to the heads..

I'm excited to get this engine built. It's my first actual build, although I've helped on a couple other brand rebuilds. We have most of the parts to build the long block now, so it's time to round up the front dress and a few more pieces.
 

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JGbronc

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Bought a NOS Explorer glove box emblem off Ebay. I know it's a long way from needing it and this is one little detail, but hey, its NOS and the opportunity was there! ;D

Second pic is compared to an old one I had.
 

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JGbronc

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Got a call this morning from the machine shop telling me that they were done. I'll pick it all up sometime next week.
 
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JGbronc

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Dad left a deposit on a frame with disc brake Dana 44 front end and 9" rear today. We plan to pick it up Friday. I'll be sure to post pics of it after we get it home. Plan is to use the disc parts to convert the '73 front end to discs.

I plan to pick up the Engine parts from the machine shop tomorrow morning. I may try to paint the block and do a few more things tomorrow night after I get home.
 

sellitall

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Bought a NOS Explorer glove box emblem off Ebay. I know it's a long way from needing it and this is one little detail, but hey, its NOS and the opportunity was there! ;D

Second pic is compared to an old one I had.

I've been guilty of that too many times to count. Consider it the trophy you award yourself when it's done. You're definitely kickin' butt so far.
 
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JGbronc

JGbronc

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I've been guilty of that too many times to count. Consider it the trophy you award yourself when it's done. You're definitely kickin' butt so far.

Yeah, I find it very hard to pass up anything that cool that can be used on a Bronco. I always feel like it's the little details that make one special anyway.

Thanks for the compliment! I hope we stay in butt kickin' mode all the way through! :cool:
 

fordfan

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Dad left a deposit on a frame with disc brake Dana 44 front end and 9" rear today. We plan to pick it up Friday. I'll be sure to post pics of it after we get it home. Plan is to use the disc parts to convert the '73 front end to discs.

I plan to pick up the Engine parts from the machine shop tomorrow morning. I may try to paint the block and do a few more things tomorrow night after I get home.

Sounds like you are about to need the "Bronco".!....New engine, Disc brake front and these other parts all need a place to be "Unified"! We should be close by the weekend, the only negative is the forecast is for rain Friday and Saturday....but that might change. I will try to post a few pics soon! Ole' Dad is going to have a great Bronco!!;D;D
 
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JGbronc

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Sounds like you are about to need the "Bronco".!....New engine, Disc brake front and these other parts all need a place to be "Unified"! We should be close by the weekend, the only negative is the forecast is for rain Friday and Saturday....but that might change. I will try to post a few pics soon! Ole' Dad is going to have a great Bronco!!;D;D

If we was at home working on the Bronco, we might not have went and bought the stuff. So technically, add that and the fact that there is engine parts scattered across the garage, it's good the Bronco isn't home yet. :p

I have a feeling I'm gonna be jealous of him when it's done. ;D
 

JDJ

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sweet Jimmy, keep up the good work and keep us posted.

and you know the drill, post pics too!
 
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JGbronc

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Gonna have to pick up the engine parts another day, maybe tomorrow. Had some unexpected things occur.
 

stout22

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So, when should I plan the next cruise and hope to have 2 Jackson Co Broncos show up?
Looking good!
 
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JGbronc

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So, when should I plan the next cruise and hope to have 2 Jackson Co Broncos show up?
Looking good!

It may be a while, but I hope soon! Let me know when!

JD, thanks for helping me stay motivated!

Engine parts are home minus the crank. Having them put a new seal sleeve on the rear. Might do some painting tonight after class, so stay tuned for more updates.
 

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JGbronc

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Got the block primed, painted the oil pan, and sprayed some clear on the lower intake since it was bead blasted. Nothing too fancy with the paint, just some high temp. rattle can.

Have a pretty full day tomorrow, so I probably won't do much else till Friday.
 

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JGbronc

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We picked up the '76 disc brake donor frame today. It also happens to have Warn hubs on it!

Tonight, I may start prepping the heads for paint and do some parts cleaning. I painted the block today, but I'm not happy with the results so I'll be working on it some more. I may try to prep it better tonight as well.

I got the dash pieces that we bought from lonesouth in the mail yesterday. We are going to convert a later model dash into a '73 dash (Hazard switch on dash, with indicator).
 

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fordfan

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Looks like you are getting your "ducks in a row" there JGbronco!......Seems like you have found most of the parts you needed, already!!! We have been really busy....so not much Bronco Time. I pulled the trans-transfer case from the silver '77 on Memorial day, and that has been it for working on Broncos. Hopefully, tomorrow afternoon, I can make a little progress on a Bronco! Keep posting your progress, and maybe I can chip in before long!
 
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JGbronc

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Looks like you are getting your "ducks in a row" there JGbronco!......Seems like you have found most of the parts you needed, already!!! We have been really busy....so not much Bronco Time. I pulled the trans-transfer case from the silver '77 on Memorial day, and that has been it for working on Broncos. Hopefully, tomorrow afternoon, I can make a little progress on a Bronco! Keep posting your progress, and maybe I can chip in before long!

I understand, no biggie. I still have an engine to build and a garage to clean. Thanks for keeping me updated! :cool:


I haven't made any further progress tonight since I got home later than expected, but we were out looking at some other Broncos, so I declare it excused. ;D
 

fordfan

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I understand, no biggie. I still have an engine to build and a garage to clean. Thanks for keeping me updated! :cool:


I haven't made any further progress tonight since I got home later than expected, but we were out looking at some other Broncos, so I declare it excused. ;D

Lol!!!...Maybe that's my problem....Instead of working on the ones already here, I'm out looking for/at more!! By the way, I noticed one off in the distance in the field of one of your last pic posts.... Is it for sale???? ;D;D
 
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