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1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

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Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

I’ll try and remember to take pics too.

1985.5 F-150 XL Explorer standard cab 5.0 EFI AOD 4x4
Daily Driver. We call her Eunice the Ute.

1982 Bronco XLT Lariat 351W AOD 4x4
Code name Esperanza, or Espy to her friends. Please see my Project thread for the blow by blow.

1984 F-350 XL Centurion crew cab 460 T19 4x4
"Eylza Dual-little"

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Still not had time to tackle the big stuff. But I got a small win today.. I managed to remove and replace the bent and straggly wiper arms. The drivers side was a bitch but I managed to use leverage (a wrench under the wiper arm) to get it off.

The new arms don’t has as much of an angle at the head so when in the parked position they sit a little high. No big deal.

Stuck on some duralast aero blade wipers as they were the only ones in the store that would fit..

Installed screen washer jet thing and hose, so that works now..

Also scrapped all glass surfaces with a sharp blade, washed glass and replaced the rear view mirror with one that works.

These are small details that the wife will notice are wrong so I need them to be right.. was 90mins well spent.

Sorry for the boring post...

Gary Lewis

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

Yes, that was 90 minutes well spent. Sometimes it takes almost that long to get a wiper arm off. So, well done!

And those small details can make all the difference in the world. You'll notice each time you drive the truck how clean the windows are. Like when I fixed the horn on Big Blue - small detail but every time I drive him I think "Now I have a horn!"

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Progress!

Got the rocker covers and intake manifold off.

Does not look great in there...

Going to spend tonight and tomorrow night cleaning up the surfaces and stuff. Any advice? There is a lot of hard to remove gasket material and at the front there seems to be some pitting around the coolant ports.. was thinking of skimming with RTV before placing the new gasket on...

Gary Lewis

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

Haven’t seen pitting on the heads, but have seen lots of pitting on aluminum intakes. As said, Brandon smoothed his up with JBWeld.

For cleaning up, I’ve used Rolloc discs, but there are two problems with them. First, they leave an abrasive residue, and it is hard to keep it out of an assembled engine. Second, I’ve read that they leave high and low spots on the gasket surfaces that are hard to seal - especially on soft material like aluminum. So some say that scrapers are the only way to go.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Thanks Gary. I have scrapped over once. I will get a new blade and do again.

I bought a couple of those wheels, red and green. But i am not keen on using them at all. As you say, easy to over do it.

Need to think about skimming options.. JB weld or RTV...

The intake itself looks really good. Just needs wiping down I reckon.

This is all new to me, and I am loving it!!

Thanks for all the help!

Gary Lewis

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

From what I can see everything looks to be good. Given that, I'd go with RTV.

The keys for getting RTV to work for me are to make sure you get the manifold in place correctly w/o sliding it around, and then snugging it down and letting it set overnight. So I use long bolts with the heads cut off as guides to align the manifold to the head. Just screw them into the heads loosely and lower the manifold over them. Then install the other bolts loosely, and unscrew the guides. Once all bolts are in gently screw them in to where they are snug. Leave it over night and come back the next day to torque them down.

And, I use RTV on the front and rear dams that tie the sides of the block together. Place a smooth 1/4" to 1/2" bead of RTV on them. But the dam and the manifold have to be CLEAN so the RTV will adhere to them.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

This post was updated on .

Progress is slow. This weekend has not let me get done what I needed to get done. But a couple of small things happened.

More gasket scrapping on the intake manifold. Pretty sure it is as clean as it is going to get.

Two of the bolts for the intake were in bad shape, the ones at the front by the coolant channels, so I ordered up ARP bolts for the manifold and matching bolts for the valve covers. Should arrive on tuesday.

Installed the new steering column. It feels so much better. Everything is tight and precise. Very happy even if it was expensive..

Also installed a Borgeson intermediate steering shaft. I need the steering to feel tight, this thing needs to feel secure for the wife.. as I have so much invested in the steering it seemed worthwhile. I won’t know until I have her running again.

On the plus side, the hazard lights are working now!

Managed to get the idiot light filters glued back in, 3 of them were damaged.

Removed all thr shitty aftermarket driving light wires to the frony and to the back up lights.

Installed the stock Ford grill from the wreckers instead of the shitty aftermarket one that was there. The Ford emblem is hidden now though..

Ordered up a pair for KC Daylighters for the bull bar! I always wanted them on a truck, the covers with the smiley faces are iconic!

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Never posting from my phone again, sorry about the picture rotation...

Gary Lewis

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

In reply to this post by Gsmblue

That's actually very good progress.

I'm in the same mindset - if I can get ahead faster by buying something in then that's probably what I'll do. So I like the way you've done the steering. That can be a very fiddly, time-consuming area to work on, so letting the pro's do it has big advantages.

And, I agree on the KC Daylighters. They are period-correct and look good on these trucks.

Well done!

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Gary Lewis

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

In reply to this post by Gsmblue

You can edit your own posts and fix that from a computer.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Ford F834

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

In reply to this post by Gsmblue

Good work! I agree 100% on the priority of handling and road manners, especially on a super short wheelbase Bronco, and especially with the wife driving it. I’ve heard very good things about the Borgeson steering shafts. That and red head steering boxes are supposed to make a big difference.

SHORT BED 4-DOOR DIESEL: 1986 F350 4x4 under construction-- 7.3 IDIT ZF5+GVOD

STRAIGHT SIX 4X4: 1981 F150 2wd to 4x4-- 300 I6 close ratio diesel T19, hydroboost brakes, Saginaw steering

BIG F: 1995 F-Superduty under construction— converting to 6.9L IDI diesel ZF5+DNE2

Gary Lewis

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

There's been some bad press lately about RedHead steering boxes. Apparently an employee from there has started a new company named BlueTop and supposedly it has better reviews. But I still have a RedHead for Dad's truck.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Ford F834

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

Gary Lewis wrote

There's been some bad press lately about RedHead steering boxes. Apparently an employee from there has started a new company named BlueTop and supposedly it has better reviews. But I still have a RedHead for Dad's truck.

Good tip... I had not heard.

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Indeed. If the steering is still sub par, then the steering box is next!

I have more money into the steering than the rest of the truck!

Gary Lewis

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

There are two ways to replace the steering box:

A "remanufactured" box from someone like Cardone will make a big difference.

A better-built box from someone like RedHead or BlueTop will make a bigger difference. Ford used the cast iron case as the lower bearing, and while it is constantly being lubed it still wears. A remanufactured box still uses that worn bearing. However these two companies bore the spot out and press in an actual bearing, meaning the box is better than new.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

I have an eye on the blue top...

I want to see how this Bronco feels with the replacement intermediate shaft that eliminates the rag joint. I suspect it will feel much firmer, the tie rods all have new bushings too.

When I wiggle the steering wheel I am not seeing much slop from the box.

I need to get this engine back together so I can take her for a spin. The intake manifold bolts should arrive tomorrow.. should be an exciting week for Espy..

Oh, the wife is back on Saturday... if I pick her up from the airport in the Bronco she may have a fit!

Gary Lewis

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Administrator

A good fit or a bad fit?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

Definitely a good fit. It all feels very nice.

The borgeson column needs to be trimmed to length, but that is super easy, even if their instructions are not great.

So far very happy with both purchases.

Gsmblue

Re: 1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

Sorry Gary, I missed the joke!!

Not sure there is such a thing as my wife having a good fit!

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