1969 Texas Pebble Beige

[broncobsession]

Great pics!

 

[green61bug]

Thanks, I appreciate it..

 

[BruiserOutdoors]

awesome pictures, thanks for the new screensaver. This is great motivation for my build... keep it coming!

 

[green61bug]

Well, guys, it has been a tough week for me in NC. I cranked the bronco on Tuesday morning before work. I let it idle as I did a couple of things and when I came back it wasn't running which isn't normal. I cranked it again and immediately heard a clanking noise in the engine bay. I cut it off and drove something else to work. As I was working I thought to myself well maybe it was just something rattling. Slowly getting my hopes up that that may be what it was. Later that day I got a call from my Mom who has been watching over my 15yr old senior dog for the past few months as she began to need more attention. My mom told me it was time to let her go. I left town to be with my dog on her last days and to do my duty as her dog parent. The past few days have been hard for me but I know it was the right thing to do for her. :-[

I just got the motivation to go out and crank the Bronco to find out where the noise is coming from. Unfortunately, it is definitely in the motor. Looks like I won't be attending The Super Celebration with her this year. I'm glad it broke at home but I am super bummed as well. I put over 350 miles on her in 5 days last week and it may have been all she had left.

I'm not really sure what step I need to take to figure out exactly what the noise may be. Any advice is welcomed for sure.

 

[rydog1130]

:-[oh bummer man ... I was really looking forward to see you there man. Hopefully what ever it is it isn't to bad and a quick fix....

 

[bronkenn]

Sorry to hear about your dog, that is always a rough one. It seems odd that your truck would just come apart while idling. You just got done putting some miles on it with no problems. Maybe it will be an easier fix than you expect. Ken

 

[green61bug]

Sorry to hear about your dog, that is always a rough one. It seems odd that your truck would just come apart while idling. You just got done putting some miles on it with no problems. Maybe it will be an easier fix than you expect. Ken

Thanks Ken,

I was kind of thinking the same thing. It was strange to me that I drove it so many miles with no issues or sounds. Parked it one night, started it 2 days later with a racket. I am going to do some investigating tomorrow and can hopefully narrow it down to something simple.

One member suggested I pull the dizzy cap to see if its turning. I also thought maybe pull the valve covers and inspect for a broken spring or something. Thought I'd check these things first and if nothing maybe pull the oil pan.

 

[green61bug]

Well, my engine in the '69 took a crap earlier this year. I pulled the motor to have it machined and gone through since I wanted to put the original back in. I should be getting it back soon and need to paint it. I've been reading about paint colors but have only found specifics on mustang motors. Is it the same for broncos? It looks like for 1969 they would have painted my 302 Corporate Ford Blue. Is that correct?

 

[fordfan]

Dark Ford Blue is correct. I think the Corporate Ford Blue is too light.

 

[green61bug]

Well I got really burnt out on messing with the bronco over the winter after I got the motor back from the machine shop. As many of us are, I was searching for stuff to do and got motivated to tinker again. I got the motor painted. I used the Eastwood 2K which i read was pretty close to the correct color but it seems too light. Anyways, it will have to do. I am actually really impressed with the quality of the paint. I've got everything assembled. I am just waiting on a buddy to finish up fixing my rusty battery tray/body mount. Should be ready to drop in as soon as I can get him to come by. I can get it in but when it comes to making it run I will have to have someone else assist with that. Here are some pics along the way. Unfortunately I lost some photos of the motor apart and before I painted it.

 

[green61bug]

Some more photos.... Put in a steering box I got used off some guy online. The splines that lock the coupler in were a little rough. I hope it holds under stress. We'll see. I couldnt remember which way the steering box bolts face so if they are wrong let me know. I'm planning on getting my factory box rebuilt and reinstalled at some point.

 

[green61bug]

I cleaned up and waxed the original paint inside the engine bay and the front radiator panel as well... I didn't want to dive too far into cleaning because we all know what that can turn into. I found a couple pin holes in the flat panel near the windsheild that popped up with hard rubbing. Also so crazy runs from the factory. I need to try and get some paint matched to blend in the repaired area.

 

[chuckyb]

great work, great pics as always...paint on motor looks great. it will be good to see that 302 back in its place.

 

[green61bug]

Thanks Chucky... I have considered trying to get the black textured spray off of the firewall but I assume that is original and think I'll just leave it. Can't wait for the motor to be back in it. I think it's gonna look awesome, I sure hope it runs awesome too! haha

 

[rydog1130]

Looks great buddy! can't wait to see you back out on the trails with it!

 

[green61bug]

Thanks Ryan! My buddy came over and finished up the battery tray work. I oredered some paint from paint scratch that should be pebble beige in a can. Hopefully it's close but at least it's in a hidden area.

I also finally installed my windrow felt channel and track on both the doors. They rattled like crazy due to a couple broken sections on the lower tracks. I moved the mirror back to the correct location and pusshed the ugly door dent out some while I had the window out. I didn't spend much time on it but it looks better.

 

[green61bug]

The biggest news around here is that I sold my 1955 VW Beetle that Ive had for the past 12 years or so. It was kinda time to let it go or be prepared to put a lot of money into it, so off she went.

My paint from Paint Scratch came in and was a pretty close match according to the tailgate but off a little in the engine compartment and under the fender. Its close enough for me, at least right now anyways. I got the motor in. It went fairly good for my first time. I bought the heavy duty motor mounts and had to have them in place but unbolted completely to get to motor to slide back the last two inches. Once I had it all bolted up I had to unbolt it all again and jack the motor up to squeeze the drivers side header into place. I scratched the motor some doing so. I used the Ford Racing Stage 8 Header Bolts with the locking ring. Hopefully they hold. I did have to trim almost every lock ring to all it to fit but so closely to the header.

Only issue I seem to be having is getting the dipstick tube to drop down in to place all the way.

All in all it is coming back together. Hoping my dad can come help me get it running tomorrow as that part of the process is out of my wheelhouse. I have break in oil and plan on breaking it in by the typical jump to 2500-3000 rpm on startup and then slowly increasing/decreasing rpm for 20 minutes or so. That seems to be what most sites are suggesting on the flat tappet motors.

 

[green61bug]

Some more pics

 

[green61bug]

The bronco RUNS! I backed her out of the garage under her own power today. Unforunately one of my coolant lines has a pinhole in it or else I'd be cruising it around the block! Should be able to get a test drive in tomorrow if the rain holds out.

 

[904Bronco]

Outstanding! Long wait extended one day is doable!