My First Ride, My First Wrench: A Beginner’s Journey with a 1970 Ford Bronco

[Magnolia]

As the title suggests I’ve come into my first Bronco and man am I excited. I’m making this post to have a reference point about my bronco and to track the build. I’ve named her Magnolia in hopes that I’ll never get to frustrated and angry if she has a name.

The Goal: Make it reliable, make it safer, put my own style into it.

The Status: Solid Frame & Body, 302ci V8, 3 speed manual transmission recently replaced clutch, Comfortable interior.

To Do List: Original Wiring Harness (already having problems), Upgrade Brakes, Add Power Steering, Small Lift.

My background: I have a sound mechanical and electrical background just absolutely no experience with cars.

I’d like to keep updating this with questions or again linking back to this page to show my vehicle when I make posts. I’ve already asked a few questions and have been using the forum to answer the questions I’ve had along the way.

Thanks for all the help past and future!

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[4xfun]

Gorgeous bronco. Looks like someone did a nice job restoring it.

Fortunately, you can by kits with all of the parts you need to upgrade the brakes and switch over to power steering. There are a couple of threads on tools to own in the forums. I would add a impact wrench to the list. I have a large electric one and a battery operated one. I wish I had them 45 years age when I was working on tractors and implements. Get a good set of 1/2" and 3/4" impact sockets. For the wiring, get a good voltmeter and a good crimping tool. The wiring harness crimps may vary with the harness maker. There are lots of good posts on the different harness makers.

 

[JeepGuy]

Congrats. Very clean looking Bronco.

 

[ford man]

I like the dog the bronco is cool too!

 

[gnsteam]

Welcome, and very nice Bronco and pup.

 

[Speedrdr]

Great looking rig! There will be many mechanical…I meant happy…days to come. Nice that you’re getting some driving time in as you do upgrades.

R

 

[ared77]

Great looking starting point!!

 

[thegreatjustino]

Looks like someone did a nice job restoring it.

But left off the door lock

 

[Speedrdr]

He’s got a “guard” dog. Who needs a lock?

 

[4xfun]

You have to pop the locks to steal one.

 

[Magnolia]

Don’t worry y’all the lock keys and the ignition keys are different and it’s really hard actually impossible to separate it from a door lock


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[DirtDonk]

I can’t remember if I mentioned it in your other discussion or not. But get that PCV system sorted out before you run the engine much more.
You have a 70 model, with the PCV valve (presumably) in the rear passenger side valve cover, and the return air breather in the driver side.
However, you have a 73 or 74 air cleaner, housing, which doesn’t have the correct port for your set up.

Pull the air cleaner off, flip it over and look underneath for a black plastic 45° elbow/hose barb in the flat section.
If it’s there, your simplest (well, not really) course of action would be to replace the driver side valve cover cap with the proper low profile cap for a later model Bronco. Put the PCV valve in that cap, run a hose to full vacuum in the center plenum, then run a hose between an elbow on the passenger valve cover, and that elbow fitting on the air cleaner.

Alternatively, you could source a 70 air cleaner housing.
Either that or create a fitting on your existing one.
Either way, you need to filter those inputs.
I guess, ultimately, the simplest (but perhaps the least desirable) way would be simply to replace the driver’s side cap with a filtered breather.
The only problem with that is they eventually collect a lot of oil and make a big mess.
But at least you know there are options.

Some of what you do in deciding which way, might be to make sure that the valve covers are baffled. We might need to see pictures of the openings.

 

[Jakedog]

But left off the door lock

Keyless ignition.