Project: 76, Orange Special Decor

[gnsteam]

Some more good progress was made in the last couple of days. Dave (Bruners4) and I, installed the upper intake and induction unit. Hooked up the last few hoses. Such as the charcoal cannister and vent at the oil filter tube to the induction port before the throttle. The pvc valve to the upper plenum and the hose to the fuel rail pressure regulator. Earlier in the day, I setup the throttle cable. Then we filled all the fluids as best as we can, pre start up. And removed all the spark plugs. So we could crank over the engine and check for oil pressure. When we quit cranking, I witnessed the dash guage had reached 50 psi. Great news. Not having any fuel on hand and getting late on another sweltering day. We moved on and made short work of installing the Lokar shifter linkage. Then we called it a day. Here are a few pictures of the progress.

Today, I proceeded with tying up loose ends. Preparing for first start up, hopefully next week. So one of the projects left in the engine bay. Is bending up the brake lines for the master cylinder to the proportioning block. And I got as far as bleeding the master cylinder. So the brakes are ready for bleeding.

 

[green61bug]

Sweet! I bet you are excited for the start up! Looking nice and clean in there.

 

[hunter1]

I know how pumped you are for getting this close to starting it! Awesome build.

 

[gnsteam]

Yes indeed, I'm nervous, but excited for this next step. I began this restoration on September 28, 2021. The issue that triggered the start of the restoration, was when the C4 started slipping and not shifting. And I had gave up on the purchase of a 6G Bronco, in favor of the fixing up the 76.

 

[gnsteam]

On Thursday, we made a milestone. Bruners4 and I, turned the key on my 4+ year restoration. And it fired right off without any drama. What a great feeling to hear and see it running again.

 

[gnsteam]

Thursday's start day. Began with testing the fuel delivery. On the first attempt, we had a leak at the fuel filter. The fuel line system is the kit produced and sold by BCBroncos. The filter used, has a threaded fitting on the discharge end and a press in quick release on the inlet end of the filter. I did not have the press on end, fulling engaging the two internal o-rings, to make the seal. In this picture you can see the enterlocking ring on the male, press in end of the filter. The filter is not fully engaged if you can see this ring.

This press on fitting became frustrating. Under the Bronco we were not able to push the fitting together. So we removed the filter and the push on 6AN adaptor to work on it at the work bench. For some reason the male end of the filter would not press into the second of the two o-rings inside the AN adapter. So we removed the o-rings to see if the filter would engage the AN adapter with the rings removed, and it did. Puzzled by this we put the o-rings back in the adapter and tried installing the filter again. And this time the filter engaged the adapter fully. What the #$*!, was going on with that? So back under the Bronco went the filter.
On our second attempt to pressurize the system. We had no pressure at the fuel rail. This time the problem was a mistake I made when hooking up the flexible fuel lines, to the fuel rail connections. I had the lines reversed. And I can understand why I made this mistake. The lengths of the flexible lines would not allow them to reach both fuel rail connects. Except in the reversed flow connection and I did not see my error at the time of installation. So Dave and I, jumped into his 68 Bronco, for a not so quick trip across town to Speedway Motors. To pick up one 6AN fitting, to facilitate lengthing the flexible, return fuel line about 6-8". Riding in Dave's nice 68 made the trip more bearable during rush hour traffic. This picture shows the lines hooked up wrong.

The larger diameter flexible fuel line is the supply from the fuel pump. At least it was a simple fix and on our third attempt we had pressure at the fuel rail of 40-45psi. And with no leaks.
So in my previous post, you can see the results! A very satisfying result. Here is a video of the computer running Forscan and the Classic Instrument gauge cluster.

 

[904Bronco]

Even with the sorting that needs (usually) to be done on the first fire-up, the feeling of reaching that milestone is overwhelming.
Well done Gentlemen...

 

[DirtDonk]

And there’s a valuable lesson to be learned from your pictures.
Every new build should have something protecting the drivers we wheel well under the brake system!
Many a fresh paint job was quickly buggered before a small leak was discovered.

 

[Beau Nugget]

Your build looks awesome. Very exciting to see the end in sight. I noticed in one of your pictures from the other day, the bearing and flange at the lower end of the upper steering shaft where it comes through the firewall. That looks great and very much superior too the stock set up. Did you make that? Or did you buy that somewhere?

 

[gnsteam]

Your build looks awesome. Very exciting to see the end in sight. I noticed in one of your pictures from the other day, the bearing and flange at the lower end of the upper steering shaft where it comes through the firewall. That looks great and very much superior too the stock set up. Did you make that? Or did you buy that somewhere?

Hi Beau, I don't, recall who I ordered the column rebuild parts from. And yes that lower bearing retainer is aluminum instead of plastic that came from the factory.

 

[Slowleak]

Your build looks awesome. Very exciting to see the end in sight. I noticed in one of your pictures from the other day, the bearing and flange at the lower end of the upper steering shaft where it comes through the firewall. That looks great and very much superior too the stock set up. Did you make that? Or did you buy that somewhere?

This is probably what you are looking at.

Lower Steering Column Bearing Assembly | 1976-91 Bronco, 1973-91 Ford Truck

Clean up your 76-91 Bronco or 73-91 Ford Truck's sloppy steering - this lower column bearing kit restores the tight, precise feel your steering had when new.

www.wildhorses4x4.com

 

[gnsteam]

T

This is probably what you are looking at.

http://[URL]https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/76-77-ford-bronco-lower-steering-column-bearing-assembly

[/URL]

That is it, thanks Slowleak.

 

[Beau Nugget]

Thanks GN and Slowleak. I’ll check it out

 

[gnsteam]

Yesterday, we got the brakes bleed with only one spillage mess. I forgot to install, the front, banjo fitting, washers and tighten them. Thus when bleeding the rear lines. We were pushing fluid out at the front two wheels make a mess on everything. Once all cleaned up the bleeding was successfully and the brakes felt firm.
So with the brakes functioning. We look things over again, checking fluids and such. Then we started it up. Test the transmission through the gears and backed it out of the garage on it own power. Being so excited, I forgot to take some pictures or video. Bruners4 and I let it idle up to temp. Then we proceeded with a successfull six mile test drive through the neighborhood. Some things to note about the drive. The throttle is lite and touchy, meaning it could use a little more spring resistance. And the pedal height compared to the brake pedal needs a little more separation in height. The engine is fantastic, very noticeable difference coming from the stock 302, and C4 transmission. Of course I didn't put my foot into it yet, but I can certainly tell I have more power. The transmission shited well and the O/D bypass button tested OK. The hydroboost worked well, and the brakes, felt confident. Stopping straight and true. An other great up grade! Overall a really successful first drive! I'm so happy to have reached this point in the build.

Even though the test drive went well. The day ended with a failure. After the test drive and looking thing over again. Dave called it a day and headed home. Then I proceed to power wash the garage floor before putting away the Bronco. Once finished, I went to drive the Bronco into the garage. And it would not start. You could hear the starter motor running but no engagement with the flywheel. Some lite soft blow hammer action on the starter, while my wife turned the key. Did nothing to help. So we rounded up the neighbors to help push it into the garage.

Sometime today, I will remove and bench test the starter. It a pure energy brand that I bought through RockAuto. More than two years ago, during the chassis rebuild. So we will see.

Here is a photo of the guage cluster showing the Milage thus far.

 

[Precision]

So happy your first test drive went well. Congratulations!! I know you once mentioned that you were hoping to make it to the throw back celebration, still hoping to make it??

 

[gnsteam]

So happy your first test drive went well. Congratulations!! I know you once mentioned that you were hoping to make it to the throw back celebration, still hoping to make it??

The Throwback event is not looking very likely, with the Bronco. Still a lot of interior work. And some time back at the painter for touch ups and final cut and buff. My wife and I may attend, but that depends upon some family plans for us to be some where else. We will see.

 

[gnsteam]

This morning, I removed and bench tested the starter. And it worked perfectly. So, back in the Bronco it went and the Bronco started right up. Tried it three times and it worked fine. I have now idea why it wouldn't engage the flywheel yesterday. I didn't find any loose connections when I removed it. So who knows? For now its working.

 

[904Bronco]

This morning, I removed and bench tested the starter. And it worked perfectly. So, back in the Bronco it went and the Bronco started right up. Tried it three times and it worked fine. I have now idea why it wouldn't engage the flywheel yesterday. I didn't find any loose connections when I removed it. So who knows? For now its working.

You ignored it too long and it wanted some attention...

 

[gnsteam]

You ignored it too long and it wanted some attention...

You are probably right. I have been working on it almost daily. Today my son will be over around lunch time. We will probably go for another drive around the neighborhood.

 

[gnsteam]

You are probably right. I have been working on it almost daily. Today my son will be over around lunch time. We will probably go for another drive around the neighborhood.

To many other obligations today, got in the way of another drive.