1968 Bronco trivia

[6677ebman]

OK....'68's are my favorite, that's the last of the 289's & bolt out window frames, latch for windshield-fold-down. Mid-'68 was the intro of the 302. My question is, did they stop the bolt-out window frames in mid '68 as well?? Does anyone know for a fact that they're '68 came with a 302 AND bolt out frames?? ALSO did late '68's have electric wipers?? Tell a Bronco connissuere something he doesn't know

 

[Bronconut]

Well let me try this one...

I have 2 '68's one built early year and one built in Aug 68 (very late year) and can tell you they both have 289's, bolt in window frames and vacuum wipers..

Not sure who told you mid year had 302's and since mine is an Aug 68 built truck and still with vacuum wipers I'm not so sure they changed mid year on that either.. Also don't forget 68's were the only year with unboltable window frames and the flipper type inside door handle.. Also I can tell you that my early 68 has a different top than the other one also the tailgate/liftgate seals are different. My Aug 68 Bronco takes all the rear gate seals from a 69..

And to let you know I am the second owner on both of these (one my dad bought new) so I know that they are both VERY much like they were built..

Sorry so long, but I love Bronco facts/history!!

 

[6677ebman]

Hmm.......interesting......maybe there wasn't any 302's in '68 Broncos, I've never seen but a handful. (of '68's, and they did either have a 289 or 170) I do know that '68 1/2 Mustangs had 302's, and, I've seen some '68's that didn't have the bolt-out-frames, was it just an option?? Learn something new every day! Any more feedback?? Anybody??

 

[67ster]

As '68 was the first year of the 302 in Mustangs and Cougars , I wonder why Broncos got the 289 . Probably to use up stock is my guess . I swear I have seen some '68s with the 302 maybe it was special order at the last of the year .

 

[thegreatjustino]

It's interesting that the Bronco/Mustang comparison comes up here. I've always found it strange that '66 Broncos still had the Master Cylinder mounted brake light switch whereas Mustangs got the switch to the pedal mounted one in '65.

As for your questions, I was always under the impression that both the 302 and the electric wipers were first available in the '69 model year. I know for a fact that there were some '69 Broncos that still had vaccum wipers, so I would be surprised to find out that there were any '68 Broncos from the factory with electric wipers.

 

[2Broncos2Go]

The last post mentioned 302's in Mustangs and Cougars. ('68s) I had a '69 Cougar (XR7) that had - I believe a 390 in it. Geez, sure wish I had it back!....Oh well, Back my question - Was '69 the first year they put a 390 in the Cougar? or Does anyone remember? (I could get bumped off since this is semi-off topic.-sorry)

 

[6677ebman]

I'm pretty sure '67-'68-'69 Cougars were 390 optioned, some had 428's (Eliminator, Dan Gurney Special) Anyways, has anyone ever seen a '68 Bronco with a factory 302?? Is there such a Bronco?? 302's are great motors (especially the early ones), but, I'm glad mine has a 289 ;D ;D

 

[Bronconut]

I can tell you a little about the 68 model 289/302.. I read a mustang book once that said it is common to find 1968 ford engines that are 289's but have a 302 cast into the block(under the intake in the oil galley). So just out of curriosity I disassembled my never rebuilt 289 and what do ya know. It has "302" cast into the block. The heads are cast "289" and if I remember right the crank was also cast with "289". How's that for a twist?

 

[wildbill]

: : : I have a 68 and it came with a 302 also vac. wipers cant tell on the doors didnt come with them. : : : Bill 8) :

 

[MKD]

Had a '67 Musting with 289. My '68 is 289 with vacuum wipers. Gonna keep it that way. Mechanic-type guys kinda drool over those old 289s. Torque and such talk...

 

[77BroncoWag]

[quote author=67ster link=board=5;threadid=17515;start=0#msg133910 date=1053110868]
As '68 was the first year of the 302 in Mustangs and Cougars , I wonder why Broncos got the 289 . Probably to use up stock is my guess . I swear I have seen some '68s with the 302 maybe it was special order at the last of the year .
[/quote]
or owner installed option :

 

[67ster]

Ford did some real parts swapping back in the '60S , having been around the auto wrecking business during that time . 390 blocks were cast with 352 numbers for a fact . Don't know about the 302 /289 deal and perhaps the 302 was indeed an owner installed thing or they switched emblems, an old street race trick .

 

[badnewsbronco]

my 68 has the stock 6 170 , it has vacs its also has a throttle control (poor mans cruise control) i dont think the dana 20 had a pto so its must be for plowing , just hang'n around here makes me wana find a v8

 

[ManTruck]

[quote author=67ster link=board=5;threadid=17515;start=0#msg134017 date=1053129550]
Ford did some real parts swapping back in the '60S , having been around the auto wrecking business during that time . 390 blocks were cast with 352 numbers for a fact . Don't know about the 302 /289 deal and perhaps the 302 was indeed an owner installed thing or they switched emblems, an old street race trick .
[/quote]

I agree with the parts swapping by Ford. Without giving my age away, as a teenager I worked in a automotive machine shop in the early 70's. I would find several different casting numbers on Ford blocks at times. I even seen GMs come in with bored blocks and valve guides replaced, on stock motors. You never know untill its open, what they may have done to get it out. I can't speak for todays products, but the late 60's and 70's sure had some left overs in the new products going out the door.

 

[Skuzzlebutt]

The oddest I've heard of on a '68 was a guy converting from vacuum to electric wipers. When he got up under the dash he found a factory wiper switch wired up and ready to use. all he needed to do was drill a hole to mount it.

 

[luvmybronco]

Don't forget, 68 was also the last year for the smaller turn signals...

 

[djhudson]

68 Cougars were available with390's. 1968 was the first year for the 302. It is possible to find a 68 302 block with 289 heads, crank, etc. When 289 blocks were used up at Ford the new production blocks (302) were built using the 289 leftover internals and heads. 302 blocks have longer cylinder walls than a 289. 289 internal pieces can be put into a 302 block for a pretty stout engine because of the longer piston skirts. 302 internals are not recommended in a 302 block because of the shorter skirts and the 302's longer stroke it would cause part of the piston to come out of the bottom of the cylinder walls.

 

[TMC]

I had a 68 Couger XR7. It had a 302. I have a 67 Bronco with 289, unboltable windows and of course,
vacuum wipers.