1969’s build thread

[1969]

Going to convert it to the Explorer front dress surprise surprise. I’ll finish pulling the last bits off when I have the parts ready to go back on.

 

[DirtDonk]

When you go through all the work to pull the front off and put all the new stuff on, I think you’ll appreciate the cleverness of the design when compared to all the others we’ve dealt with over the years. Nice, efficient use of space.
And a really good fan!

 

[DirtDonk]

And per your other posts, when you have it apart, might as well clean up the perimeter of the old damper the best you can. To give timing tape, a good place to stick in case you decide to use it.

 

[1969]

This is probably the most exciting update of the whole Bronco so far. Got the battery tray in.. ha ha

 

[Yeller]

Gotta have it to make it run it’s an important step

 

[Ether]

Aluminum and magnesium don’t like being bent, they break, even though they are strong and rigid. The chassis will flex quite a lot which puts tremendous loads on the tcase adapter and bell housing. As the chassis flexes it tries to bend the transmission over the transmission crossmember. The tcase support is quite rigid as well with the 2 frame mounted spring eye bushings that are mounted near the center of the frame. Articulate the suspension hard and add traction from bound up tires the bending and twisting stresses are way higher than the case design was built around. Something sooner or later is going to give up. To alleviate the added bending and raising loads a 3 point mounting system is the way to go.

I’ve witnessed far to many transmissions with the tail housing and/or bell housing broken to not speak up.

I’m hoping your not offended, really trying to help you have a fun, safe, dependable rig that you’ve spent a lot of time and resources building.

ZF/205 going in mine soon, I was planning similar mounts as OP. Do you think a mount designed to only hold the 205 would work? Skip the trans mount? Or just tie them together?

 

[Ether]

This is probably the most exciting update of the whole Bronco so far. Got the battery tray in.. ha ha View attachment 919256

Did you have to drill one of the mounting holes? Weird that mine only has one...why didn't they just slot the second one.

 

[Yeller]

ZF/205 going in mine soon, I was planning similar mounts as OP. Do you think a mount designed to only hold the 205 would work? Skip the trans mount? Or just tie them together?

I don’t think it matters how you get there. Just need to have a single point of support with some flex. Solid in the center with bushings at the frame is bad too, it will not have enough give. You need the motor to twist and move with the frame, otherwise your eating the radiator and fan shroud with the fan.

 

[1969]

Did you have to drill one of the mounting holes? Weird that mine only has one...why didn't they just slot the second one.

The two holes I used to mount it I did not modify, it lined up good enough for me.

 

[1969]

ZF/205 going in mine soon, I was planning similar mounts as OP. Do you think a mount designed to only hold the 205 would work? Skip the trans mount? Or just tie them together?

Either or would be fine imo. But if you do the trans crossmember you can at least get the crossmember from BC by calling them since it’s not listed vs fabricating an entirely new mount for the t case.

 

[1969]

Is your Bronco really a Bronco if you don’t install these valve covers?

 

[1969]

Also turns out I have a 1965 289? At least it’s clean. The guy I got the engine from wasn’t sure if it was a 289 or 302 but was told it was rebuilt at some point but had low miles on it.

 

[DirtDonk]

Always good to find clean when you open it up.

 

[DirtDonk]

Is your Bronco really a Bronco if you don’t install these valve covers?

Back in the day, must’ve been a lot of Cobras wearing Bronco bodies!

 

[blade]

Also turns out I have a 1965 289? At least it’s clean. The guy I got the engine from wasn’t sure if it was a 289 or 302 but was told it was rebuilt at some point but had low miles on it.

View attachment 921125
View attachment 921126
View attachment 921124

What are the casting numbers on the side of the block above the starter?

 

[1969]

What are the casting numbers on the side of the block above the starter?

 

[blade]

View attachment 921181

Thanks, 289 casting numbers there also. I was just curious because you never know with a rebuilt engine.

 

[1969]

Thanks, 289 casting numbers there also. I was just curious because you never know with a rebuilt engine.

I appreciate the curiosity. I’m not a “engine” guy so I’m not really sure. The guy I got it from did say it was 225hp build from the machine shop but again I’m not sure and have no paperwork to prove it. I’ll just be happy if it runs good.

 

[1969]

Went to swap out the spark plugs as a “quick” job this afternoon. Ended up pulling the headers and also trimming the gasket down so I could remove the spark plugs.

The plugs are a bit rich! The guy I got the engine from did have a 6 or 700 cfm carb on it he said ha! Poor little 289! Anyway threw in some Motorcraft copper plugs and put the headers back on.

 

[Speedrdr]

Wow! Trim job definitely required there. What a PITA.

Randy