Getting started on my 1966 Roadster build

[norm02]

So the latest update is that I've been inching the ball forward by cleaning the truck (degreasing everything) and I'm restoring the original oil bath air cleaner and assembly. Plenty of stuff to do while I get the larger items ironed out!

I'm taking my cylinder head to a machine shop tomorrow morning so it can be inspected for warpage and cracks. If it checks out ok, I'll have them do a valve job and then pick it up on Friday. Ordering new motor mounts tomorrow (they need to be replaced either way) and then hopefully I'll get the motors swapped this weekend or next.

 

[norm02]

UPDATE:
I dropped off my cylinder head last week to have it checked out and rebuilt. Everything checked out ok so I had the shop go ahead and do a valve job while the had it there.

I picked it up yesterday and it looks like they did a good job. I'm bringing the interim motor home tonight and I'm going to get started with the removal of the old one this weekend. Hoping to have the new motor installed by the end of the month!

 

[Godwick]

Following...

 

[norm02]

UPDATE:
I dropped off my cylinder head last week to have it checked out and rebuilt. Everything checked out ok so I had the shop go ahead and do a valve job while the had it there.

I picked it up yesterday and it looks like they did a good job. I'm bringing the interim motor home tonight and I'm going to get started with the removal of the old one this weekend. Hoping to have the new motor installed by the end of the month!

Update:

I pulled my motor out of the Bronc a few weeks ago and noticed that the block is different than the interim motor I had bought. So, it looks like I'm going to be rebuilding my original one and re-installing it when completed. Not the route I was wanting to take but it is what it is.

I received a quote of $675 to completely rebuild the short block and clean up the motor. I can live with that but I was really hoping to get by with the $50 motor I had bought and my cylinder head.

In the meantime, I've been working on the frame (sanding and repainting it) but that's about it. I'll hopefully get the motor sent off within the next month and then get it rolling soon after that!

 

[gnpenning]

Did you find out what the science experiment was in cyl 5?

Your first pics is one you may want to reproduce down the road. Looks like a great co pilot and helper. Maybe a future 4 generation owner???

What a great platform to start with.

 

[elan]

You will find the new motor mounts for you vehicle will not even be close to correct motor mounts originally from Ford. The ones available today are cheesy thin affairs for a Falcon or Mustang six. The correct mounts have three layers of steel. The mounts available today are one thin layer.

 

[norm02]

Did you find out what the science experiment was in cyl 5?

Somehow moisture got into #5 and the piston has welded its self to the cylinder wall. I've tried to free it by using PB Blaster, ATF + Acetone, and a 40z hammer and it will not budge.

Your first pics is one you may want to reproduce down the road. Looks like a great co pilot and helper. Maybe a future 4 generation owner???

He's very excited about it and wants to get it on the road as badly as I do!

What a great platform to start with.

You will find the new motor mounts for you vehicle will not even be close to correct motor mounts originally from Ford. The ones available today are cheesy thin affairs for a Falcon or Mustang six. The correct mounts have three layers of steel. The mounts available today are one thin layer.

I bought new motor mounts from Jeff's Bronco Graveyard and they seem to be fine. The only difference I've noticed is that the thread on the new ones is fine compared to coarse on the old ones. I highly doubt the stock 6cyl will be able to break these..

 

[norm02]

Update: Dropped off the original 170ci to have the short block rebuilt and I also had the radiator and the gas tank picked up to be cleaned and redone. Last week I ordered a new gas tank sending unit, new gas tank hoses, new Energy Suspension bushings, new steering stabilizer, and a new tail light.

This should be enough to get it running and steering safely which will allow a good shakedown drive. After the first few test drives are completed, I'm sure I'll have a good list of additional items to address. At least I won't have to push it around in my shop anymore!

 

[NGABronco]

Hey Congrats!!! You're making great progress!!! Good Luck!!!;D;D;D

 

[norm02]

Hey Congrats!!! You're making great progress!!! Good Luck!!!;D;D;D

Thank you! I finally feel like I'm getting somewhere and getting it on the road is becoming much more real which is exciting.

 

[norm02]

Short block is finished up and they did not have to sleeve it which is good news. They did go .40 over which is not bad at all. I should be able to pick it up early next week.

The original radiator is rotted and they were not able to repair it so I bought one from Jeff's Bronco Graveyard today. That being said, there's a good chance that I'll have it running and driveable before the middle of July!

 

[norm02]

Picked up the motor last week and it looks great! I re-painted my oil pan, timing cover, and valve cover yesterday so everything now looks great and should be back in the truck this weekend.

In addition to the painting, I also installed a new water pump, oil pump, resealed the timing cover, and re-installed the gas tank and the skid plate. There is going to be lots of things to hook up once the motor is back in (obviously) but it's getting closer still.

 

[elan]

Shaweeet.............I love a round of six

I know it is easy for me to write, but take your time. Only want to do this once.

I blundered three weeks ago and had a 170 slide past me off of a pallet.........took a quarter of my forearm skin off............gawd I'm dumb.

 

[norm02]

Shaweeet.............I love a round of six

I know it is easy for me to write, but take your time. Only want to do this once.

I blundered three weeks ago and had a 170 slide past me off of a pallet.........took a quarter of my forearm skin off............gawd I'm dumb.

You're absolutely right about only wanting to do this once. I'm ready to take a break from fixing things and start driving it some. I still have a long way to go until I get the end result but I'm looking forward to enjoying it some in the meantime.

After it's running, I'll need to address some items on the brakes. In addition to that, I've got a full set of Energy Suspension bushings that I'll need to install since the original bushings are shot.

 

[norm02]

Update:

Re-installed flywheel, clutch, motor, and radiator yesterday. My engine builder and I had a miscommunication regarding whether or not they were going to install new lifters in the motor so I was not able to put the head on it yet.

Ordered the new lifters this morning and will drop those in shortly after they arrive. After that, I'm going to finish setting up the head, carb, distributor, and shift linkage and hopefully it will fire right up!

 

[norm02]

Update:

Over the weekend I was able to install the lifters, cylinder head, push rods, rocker shaft, valve cover, carb, exhaust manifold, and distributor. I also hooked up all of the fuel lines, filled it up with fresh oil, and successfully pressurized the oil system.

Needless to say, I feel pretty good about everything and it's getting much closer to running. I'm going to work on it some more during the evening this week with hopes if it being finished up by Sunday.

Once it's broken in, I'm going to pull the valve cover back off of it and check to make sure that everything is still in spec. After that I'm planning on repainting the valve cover and then it will be finished up!

 

[norm02]

Update: It runs!!! Needs carb and timing adjustments but she's running!

 

[okie4570]

Update: It runs!!! Needs carb and timing adjustments but she's running!

Success! You've made a lot of progress

 

[norm02]

Success! You've made a lot of progress

Thank you and I'm looking forward to keeping the ball moving in the right direction. Updates will keep coming in!

 

[norm02]

Update: It runs and drives! Took it out for a ten mile drive yesterday after adjusting the carb, timing, and brakes. It did great and still needs some fine tuning but for the most part, it's doing really well. Will update with some pictures in the next few days