1969’s build thread

[1969]

More work on the Explorer serpentine conversion. I went with a Cloyes Street True Roller Timing Set, p/n 9-1138. The Harmonic Balancer from Dampnerdudes is also really nice. Currently waiting on the passenger side bracket to come back from powder coat, and I’ll be ordering the Wild Horses Saginaw conversion bracket to finish it off. Everything has gone fairly smooth during this conversion.

 

[1969]

I installed the Explorer serpentine Saginaw conversion bracket from Wild Horses. The bolts it came with were one size too big for the bolt holes on my head. Popped over to the hardware store and got the correct bolts and it went on no problem. Very nice bracket!

 

[1969]

Made it on to the Wild Horses website

Power Steering Pump Bracket, 96-01 Explorer 5.0

Check out the deal on Power Steering Pump Bracket, 96-01 Explorer 5.0 at WILD HORSES 4X4

www.wildhorses4x4.com

 

[1969]

I got the passenger side bracket back from powder coat today. It’s coming together!

And the stock lower pulley should clear no problem.

 

[DirtDonk]

Make sure you run a robust ground cable between the alternator body (one of the mounting bolts is most convenient) and the engine. Or a common grounding area that the engine is grounded to.
And of course, make sure that grounding the engine to the body is a prime part of your grounding theme.

With all the painting and powder coating going on, I'd just make sure that bonding everything (or at least most things) together is a good practice. Because they're no longer going to be contacting at normally conducting surfaces.
Presumably the body is going to paint at some point too? If so, it becomes just as necessary sometimes, to bond body panels together with extra straps or wires, to make sure that they are all part of the system.
After all, it doesn't do you any good to ground the headlights and turn signals to the core support, when it's no longer getting good contact with the rest of the body. Especially the few grounded panels that there normally are.
Keep it in mind when welding any new panels, or painting any old ones, where they need a good connection. Like the windshield frame, as another example.

Paul

 

[1969]

Make sure you run a robust ground cable between the alternator body (one of the mounting bolts is most convenient) and the engine. Or a common grounding area that the engine is grounded to.
And of course, make sure that grounding the engine to the body is a prime part of your grounding theme.

With all the painting and powder coating going on, I'd just make sure that bonding everything (or at least most things) together is a good practice. Because they're no longer going to be contacting at normally conducting surfaces.
Presumably the body is going to paint at some point too? If so, it becomes just as necessary sometimes, to bond body panels together with extra straps or wires, to make sure that they are all part of the system.
After all, it doesn't do you any good to ground the headlights and turn signals to the core support, when it's no longer getting good contact with the rest of the body. Especially the few grounded panels that there normally are.
Keep it in mind when welding any new panels, or painting any old ones, where they need a good connection. Like the windshield frame, as another example.

Paul

Thank you for the information Paul. It’s always appreciated. I’ll have to revisit this when I get to doing a new wiring harness. The body won’t be going to paint, I want to keep it looking old and original for as long as possible. The only body work will be fixing the floor pans and firewall so I’m not flint stoning it.

 

[Yeller]

Thank you for the information Paul. It’s always appreciated. I’ll have to revisit this when I get to doing a new wiring harness. The body won’t be going to paint, I want to keep it looking old and original for as long as possible. The only body work will be fixing the floor pans and firewall so I’m not flint stoning it.

let the body tell the story of its history

 

[1969]

My girlfriend got this for me from Toms. Nice little touch to keep in the glovebox.

 

[1969]

Thanks to a guy on Facebook for the correct belt part number for utilizing the explorer serpentine conversion with the Saginaw pump.

Gates K060876

 

[1969]

Some ramblings about the serpentine conversion if anyone is interested.. all the part numbers I used are in the video description.

 

[1969]

Pulled my original heater box today.. not sure how it ever worked whenever it last did? Luckily no rust at all in and around there.

 

[1969]

It’s the little things.. not a fan of plastic!

Link to the cap:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07BYW3NNZ?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[1969]

Got the Bronco Graveyard glass installed with a gasket from Toms, by a local glass guy. Took him all of 20 minutes maybe to get it installed. I had a great experience with JBG, the first windshield I got was damaged in transit and they immediately sent another. Excellent service!

Link to the windshield

https://shop.broncograveyard.com/mobile/1966-1977-Ford-Bronco-Windshield-Glass/productinfo/17300/

 

[1969]

I’ve been working on getting the front clip off. I got some of the bolts off no problem, but I’ve had to cut most of them off. Everything looks to be in good shape for the most part. No signs of rust at all.

Is the front of the core support slightly angled back?

 

[Speedrdr]

I’ve been working on getting the front clip off. I got some of the bolts off no problem, but I’ve had to cut most of them off.

Is the front of the core support slightly angled back?

View attachment 926498
View attachment 926499
View attachment 926500 View attachment 926501

According to my neighbor who restored a ‘73, the core support indeed has a slight rear slant. I honestly don’t remember how mine looked before I unbolted and angle grinder assaulted mine.

Randy

 

[1969]

According to my neighbor who restored a ‘73, the core support indeed has a slight rear slant. I honestly don’t remember how mine looked before I unbolted and angle grinder assaulted mine.

Randy

Good to know. I’ll have to find some measurements to verify everything is where it should be.

 

[DirtDonk]

Looks ok from here, but I don't know the exact angle it sits at. Won't hurt to verify and have another data point!
With it all apart, are you going to clean up the cut for the steering box? Or better yet, do what Ford did and add a "bump-out" to the panel? Cover up the hole basically.
I always thought a pre-made panel you could buy would be a good benefit. But in reality, if you can weld, you can probably bend your own.
A pre-made one though, would make it easier for those that can't easily weld it in place, and just use screws or rivets.

Paul

 

[1969]

Looks ok from here, but I don't know the exact angle it sits at. Won't hurt to verify and have another data point!
With it all apart, are you going to clean up the cut for the steering box? Or better yet, do what Ford did and add a "bump-out" to the panel? Cover up the hole basically.
I always thought a pre-made panel you could buy would be a good benefit. But in reality, if you can weld, you can probably bend your own.
A pre-made one though, would make it easier for those that can't easily weld it in place, and just use screws or rivets.

Paul

I’ll have to take some measurements and compare.

I’m not sure yet what I’ll do about that hole that a previous owner cut with a torch

 

[.94 OR]

I'm guessing it is tipped back at close to the same angle the engine tilts back so the fan and radiator run parallel.

 

[1969]

Passenger side - measured straight back off the firewall

Driver side - measured straight back off the firewall