Bullnose Enthusiasts Forum

Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

Classic

List

Threaded

48 messages Options

123

ReneH

Re: Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

This post was updated on .

Hi Bill,

I have had bought these:
Rockauto.com

So, you think I should open the engine and check is the best way?

As another holiday is coming in summer, I want to finish everything as fast as possible, so I can drive some miles here to check if everything works...

René's Profile

Bronco 1986 Ford Bronco XLT 302/347 stroker with 351W EEC-IV and 351W factory cam C6 gearbox. Jeep 1986 Jeep CJ7 256 I6 with T5 gearbox. Buggy 1972 HAZ Buggy 122 Ford Cologne V6
Baron 1994 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 183 V6 4-speed automatic

85lebaront2

Re: Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

Administrator

Sealed Power was a good brand, I have used a lot of their parts. Problem seems to be across all brands, even new OEM parts. Look at this, I don't know if you can get the subtitles to translate for you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e96szd_HbwE

As for checking, if you don't mind oil everywhere, the driver's side is easy the get the valve cover off and run the engine so you can use something to listen to the individual rocker arms. Passenger side, I don't think it will come off without removing the upper intake.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

grumpin

Re: Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

It's really sad how bad the parts situation has become.

Dane
1986 F250HD SC XLT Lariat 4x4 460 C6-Sold
1992 Bronco XLT 4x4 351W E4OD
1998 GMC Sierra SLE K1500 350 4L60E
Arizona

85lebaront2

Re: Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

Administrator

It really is, even the roller lifters are failing on Ford GM and Stellantis.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

ReneH

Re: Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

In reply to this post by 85lebaront2

Ok...I will watching the video. I will understand the most things.

About the removal: I don't know if it makes sense to run the engine without the valve covers. It seems that the noise appears only for sure at higher rpm...

So as I have to remove everything down to the intake mainfold to change the lifter, my plan was to do the removal first and check if I can identify the defective one by rotating the engine with a ratchet.
If I don't find it, I'll change all lifters.

As you said, let the engine run without the covers will be a mess of oil inside the bay and all over my currently so clean and dry block.

I will buy 16 new lifter and also 4 new push rods together with a new gasket for the mainfold. So I should have everything to be sure that I can re-mount all parts.
Should I buy the lifters from sealed power again or better from melling?

By the way...who has designed this plenum?
It's the hell when servicing...

I also have checked the tops of the pistons and the cylinder walls with a camera through the plug holes. Everything is fine in there...

ReneH

Re: Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

In reply to this post by 85lebaront2

Hi Bill,

why have you send me this video? It's scary to see what's happened there...

I have had similar experiences with parts from crown using in my CJ7...the most have a very bad quality.
Also new leaf springs gets rusty after some weeks.
The thread of one of the bolts of a spring shackle was torn out on the first turns of turnung the according nut on it. So I try to make a detour around this brand, when possible...

So I hope my cam is not worn this way...
But it makes me more sure to unmount every lifter to check it and also to check the cam itself...

85lebaront2

Re: Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

Administrator

I sent it primarily so you could see it is probably nothing you did wrong if there is a lifter problem.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

ReneH

Re: Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

Hi Bill, so you see how differently the understanding is, sometimes. I thought you would warn me what could be happened...

So what do you think about my strategy and the spare parts I've chosen?

85lebaront2

Re: Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

Administrator

It is only recently I have been seeing these problems.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

ReneH

Re: Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

Hi Bill,

Ok. So let's hope it's only one lifter it's defective and the cam is still ok.

So back to my spare parts...what do you think about the brands I have chosen?

Melling or sealed power again?

And what do you think about my strategy?
Is it useful or may there a better way?

AmericanSavage

Re: Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

In reply to this post by ReneH

Definitely hook us up with a pic on that center console. I like the idea.

1980 Ford XLT F350
400 Engine (rebuilt to 406)
Holley 2300 500 CFM manual Choke Carb
Under Restore (1st time)

ReneH

Re: Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

Hi, Ok...so I will keep you up to date.

BTW: I still need a recommendation for a straight oil dipstick...

85lebaront2

Re: Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

Administrator

In reply to this post by ReneH

I would try to find an older set of lifters still in the box as the problem seems to be fairly recent.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

mat in tn

Re: Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

if/when you pull the intake and inspect. please keep every part in its respective place for proper diagnosis. thoroughly inspect each lifter surface for cam contact. anything that looks even slightly different can be a clue.

ReneH

Re: Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

In reply to this post by 85lebaront2

Hmm...not so easy for me...I have ordered a set of lifters from Melling at RockAuto.
I will write them, If they are able to look in the stock for an older production date, if the date is mentioned somewhere...maybe they can look on which package the most dust is sitting...

Yes, I will look carefully and document everything. I will start to unmount on the coming monday.

The time in between I will also use to fix my 7" Android-Radio. I have done photos while working on this. So if it works, I will create a manual together with the installation of a set of cams for 360° view.

AmericanSavage

Re: Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

In reply to this post by ReneH

ReneH wrote

Hi, Ok...so I will keep you up to date.

BTW: I still need a recommendation for a straight oil dipstick...

I think Bronco Graveyard has one. I bought their entire kit for my engine as it was kinked and trashed essentially at the oil pan.

1980 Ford XLT F350
400 Engine (rebuilt to 406)
Holley 2300 500 CFM manual Choke Carb
Under Restore (1st time)

ReneH

Re: Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

Ok, thanks. I will check this.

ReneH

Re: Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

So, as I will disassemble the top of the engine tomorrow...I have fixed and finished my exhaust today.

Fully made of stainless steel. Used three db-killers to get it drivable for longer distances. I hope it will be OK...I have used one 3" db-killer first. Now I have added two additional in the Y-pipe on the 2.5" side...

ReneH

Re: Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

In reply to this post by 85lebaront2

So today I have removed all to see and change the lifters. Nothing suspicious as far as I can evaluate this by now...

I will remove all Rocker arms and pushrods within this week and get all lifters out and see what's happening there. In the best way only an oil drill of a lifter is clogged... but we will see...

ReneH

Re: Re-building my 1986 302/347 Bronco

I have found the villain!

So how can I check the cam shaft?
Also the guide in the block has some scratches...I don't hope the cam is also damaged...

123