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Author
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Topic: Motor advice 88-89 bronco II
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 18703
From: Reno Nv USA MEM#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 11-15-2004 02:22 AM
   
My 15 year old son and I just scored a free bronco II. A friend of the family was thinking of getting ride of it. My soon to be driving son was quick to ask me if we could take it. 
It does need a 2.9l FI motor, or motor work. It was getting oil in the water the last time it was running. The truck has some 200,000 miles on it. And has sat for the last 2-3years. The inside is in great shape with all new seat covers. New brakes and clutch in before they got a another truck and didn't need to drive it anymore.Everything on the truck works, so it seems worth fixing as long as it can be done with alittle money. Any advice on the motor, or opinions.
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SCOOP
oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics [This message has been edited by Fastymz (edited 11-15-2004).]
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 43151
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 11-15-2004 05:37 PM
You can probably borrow a cooling system pressure tester from a Autozone and locate where the water is leaking into the engine. ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 351C 4V/FMX/3.25 Open
'70 Mustang Convertible 250 I6/3 speed/2.79 Open
'72 Mustang Sprint Hardtop 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Loc
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 18703
From: Reno Nv USA MEM#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 11-15-2004 05:48 PM
quote:
Originally posted by SteveLaRiviere:
You can probably borrow a cooling system pressure tester from a Autozone and locate where the water is leaking into the engine.
Thanks Steve, I was talking to my buddy today. He said that the cam and lifters were just replaced not long before water started showing up in the oil. So before we just toss the motor. I want to check the intake for leaks and the compression. Could be something simple.
My son is going crazy looking into new parts already. 
We haven't even picked it up yet.  ------------------
SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 43151
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 11-15-2004 06:24 PM
Scoop, get one of those cheap stethoscopes like what Sears sells, and in a quiet garage pressurize the system, then if you find it leaking take the stethoscope and zone in on the hiss. Intake is a pretty good guess if someone has had the engine open recently.------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 351C 4V/FMX/3.25 Open
'70 Mustang Convertible 250 I6/3 speed/2.79 Open
'72 Mustang Sprint Hardtop 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Loc
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
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MLariviere
Moderator Posts: 3984
From: Biddeford,Me.USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 11-15-2004 09:18 PM
If you take it apart,the leak will be obvious,because the area will be washed clean. I would also look good at the front timing cover. Maybe they didn't clean off all the old gasket material,or cracked/warped it. Aviod driving it. You will wreck every bearing in it if you do. [This message has been edited by MLariviere (edited 11-15-2004).]
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 18703
From: Reno Nv USA MEM#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 11-16-2004 12:52 AM
We won't drive it. As long and I can keep my son out of it.
We are going to do some testing on the motor before we replace it. I'm real happy to see my son excited about working on a car.
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SCOOP
oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics [This message has been edited by Fastymz (edited 11-19-2004).]
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 18703
From: Reno Nv USA MEM#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 11-19-2004 04:32 PM
My brother inlaw said the motor is junk ?
Needs to be replaced. I can get a tested used motor for $600 or have this rebuilt for $1450. I don't wnat this project to go over $1000 for his first car. Heck he can;t drive until summer anyways.
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SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 43151
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 11-19-2004 07:15 PM
Put that boy to work! He'll have less lawns to mow for $600. How does your BIL know it's junk, did you find something in the tests? ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 351C 4V/FMX/3.25 Open
'70 Mustang Convertible 250 I6/3 speed/2.79 Open
'72 Mustang Sprint Hardtop 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Loc
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 18703
From: Reno Nv USA MEM#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 11-19-2004 08:24 PM
The boy has saved his money from day for his first car. So he has the $600, I'm just trying to keep this project as cheap as I can for him. Not sure how my BIL knows about the motor. I know he has worked on it a few times in the past.------------------
SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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MLariviere
Moderator Posts: 3984
From: Biddeford,Me.USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 11-20-2004 10:05 PM
If you know it won't run,why not just tear it apart to see if you can find something wrong? You will both gain from it. If he's like my BIL,he belongs in a Kohl's. LOL
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 18703
From: Reno Nv USA MEM#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 11-21-2004 07:34 PM
Mike, he's a Chevy Mechanic. My son and Father inlaw drove it 2miles to my Father inlaws house. Before they started he called me and said the oil looked clear and clean. No signs of oil in the coolant. It started right and run just fine. Making alittle tapping noise.
So we are going to give it a tune and a good check over.
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SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 43151
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 11-22-2004 07:03 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Fastymz:
So we are going to give it a tune and a good check over.
Then drive it over to your BIL's house and deliver his crow dinner. ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 351C 4V/FMX/3.25 Open
'70 Mustang Convertible 250 I6/3 speed/2.79 Open
'72 Mustang Sprint Hardtop 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Loc
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 18703
From: Reno Nv USA MEM#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 11-22-2004 07:16 PM
quote:
Originally posted by SteveLaRiviere:
Then drive it over to your BIL's house and deliver his crow dinner.
Better yet Steve, the Bronco is at BIL house they share the same 2 car garage. I got everything for a good tune up and change the coolant and oil. I'm also going to go ahead and change the intake gasket anyways. I know the shop that did the work on it before it was parked. 
The front seat were just recovered they look new. My Father inlaw said it shift's real smooth and the 4wd works good too. I get to drive it for about 6 mo's until my son can drive. Not sure he'll get it back. BTW my son might join the site for some info and help. So every one behave he's only 15. ------------------
SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 43151
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 11-22-2004 07:19 PM
Of course we'll behave, just keep him away from the Grrls...  ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 351C 4V/FMX/3.25 Open
'70 Mustang Convertible 250 I6/3 speed/2.79 Open
'72 Mustang Sprint Hardtop 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Loc
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 18703
From: Reno Nv USA MEM#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 11-22-2004 07:43 PM
He's not ready yet Steve. ------------------
SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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MLariviere
Moderator Posts: 3984
From: Biddeford,Me.USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 11-22-2004 09:04 PM
I'm glad it seems ok. Maybe it's a good idea to check the intake gasket anyway. If there isn't any milk in the oil,vacuum leaks or antifreeze seeping out,you don't have to worry about it.
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 18703
From: Reno Nv USA MEM#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 11-26-2004 03:16 PM
I had my first chance last night to look at the Bronco. It's a good shape and starts right up. It does have a deep knock sound coming from the motor. I can't tell what it is ?
It starts right up, runs ok, doesn't smoke. The oil and coolant are still clean. So I'm just going to give it a tune up. Check for leaks and then start driving it.------------------
SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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MLariviere
Moderator Posts: 3984
From: Biddeford,Me.USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 11-28-2004 08:44 PM
Those Cologne V6's are noisy engines.
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BeefysBronco2
Journeyman Posts: 10
From: Monmouth, IL
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 01-05-2005 11:29 PM
2 things come to mind while reading this.1. When the camshaft swap was done the installer may have missed to 2 seals on the timimng cover. 2. Stock 2.9 heads are prone to cracking when the engine overheats. They can be replaced with stock heads or new World Products heads for about the same money. The World heads will not crack. Another option would be a 4.0 swap. Cheap easy and works very well. Look into LMC Truck (http://www.lmctruck.com/) for parts and the World Heads. BTW, Very nice Mustang Scoop! ------------------
1984 Bronco II XLT 1988 Bronco II XLT 1978 Ford F150 Explorer 1985 Mercury Grand Marquis [This message has been edited by BeefysBronco2 (edited 01-05-2005).] [This message has been edited by BeefysBronco2 (edited 01-05-2005).]
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Fastymz
Moderator Posts: 18703
From: Reno Nv USA MEM#1240
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 01-06-2005 12:54 AM
Thanks I just need to get some snow out of my drive way. ------------------
SCOOP
oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 65 coupe 351w C4 Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc. My Pics
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Kellxr7
Gearhead Posts: 643
From: Canada
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 01-07-2005 12:18 PM
You can have my old 302 if you want to squeeze some "oomph" into it , ....mind you being its for your yound son, probably want it to be as safe and gutless as possible, I know I would.
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cpmaverick
Gearhead Posts: 1666
From: Santa Clarita, CA
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 01-17-2005 12:33 AM
I second the fact that these heads are prone to cracking. It might not start leaking coolant into the oil until it builds up pressure in the cooling system, and/or it might be so small it takes awhile to show up. Either way keep an eye on it because water in the oil is a bad deal for the bottom end which might still be OK even if the head is cracked. ------------------
-Charlie Ping
1970 Maverick Grabber
[email protected] with AC and overdrive.
http://www.maverickgrabber.com
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