Early Bronco Engine Build - Quarantine Style

[Riverhound]

We're bringing back shop class with a side of math, chemistry and a little P.E.... Our 69 Bronco is moving along in the rebuild process and like everything in my life I decided it needed more power so off to Larry's Engine and Marine we go to discuss a new, better mojammer! Larry and I agree on the basics and he's off and running to spec out a pile of parts and do some machining on a block I left for him.

Here's what he came up with.
331 cid
3.250 Eagle crank
5.400 Eagle I beam rods
Wiesco pistons
Brodix aluminum 5.0 heads - with a little extra Larrys secrete sauce
Comp Cams Hyd roller cam and guide kit
Edelbrok Performer RPM intake
Holley Sniper EFI
MSD distributor
A metric shit ton of ARP bolts

This was an early model year block so in addition to all the normal machine work he modified it to accept a roller cam and a once piece rear main seal.

I opted to the build at home as a family project and now with the world on lock down and school canceled looks like we'll get this together sooner than I anticipated.

I've owned this shit box for over 20 years and it has a perfectly good running 5.0 in it... So why not pull it out and start over!

Here's the pile of parts and newly machined block ready to go.

These are yummy!

The entire engine is going to be black so we opted to paint the block black rather than the obligatory Ford Blue... Then the block was cleaned before assembly. Those duties went to my son.

Next up was putting all the pistons, rings and rods together. BTW, spiral locks might work well but they suck to install!

Next up the cam was installed... For this we enlisted the help of my daughter.

After a successful cam install they kids moved onto crankshaft installation...

Bearings are in, crank is in, main caps are on... Ready to start torquing the main caps.

I broke my ring compressor so we wont be able to button up the bottom end until this weekend.

More to come.

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

I'm gonna enjoy following this.... those Broncos are getting high dollar . If I ever sell my boat I'll be leaning towards a 68-72 Chevy K5 Blazer

 

[rivermobster]

That will run Awesome with a 331. Ask me how I know!

What tranny are you going to run?

 

[Riverhound]

That will run Awesome with a 331. Ask me how I know!

What tranny are you going to run?

Certainly should move it along... currently has a T5. We’ll see how long it lasts

 

[rivermobster]

Certainly should move it along... currently has a T5. We’ll see how long it lasts

Just add the Ford AOD now while you have it apart. It should fit with a body lift kit nicely. Makes for a much more drivable ride. Especially with all that new power!

 

[94Nautique]

Great family project. BTW, is that a Titan shirt I spy?

 

[obnoxious001]

I have pieces sitting here for a similar small Ford stroker. For just about the same price as Eagle we elected to use the Lunati parts. Nice to see you have them using a speed handle, need to show them how to twirl the thing! I didn't see where you checked crank thrust?

 

[DesertFam]

Very nice. I have a 70 myself.

 

[Backlash]

It's been a couple of months since you posted an update. How is this thing coming along??

 

[t&y]

Was thinking the same thing. Not sure if mine is staying stock with Fuel Injection, or if I'm going to replace heads, intake, etc...

 

[monkeyswrench]

Was thinking the same thing. Not sure if mine is staying stock with Fuel Injection, or if I'm going to replace heads, intake, etc...

Come on, go big or go home, you sold the boat...Coyote motor

 

[Riverhound]

Well, summer came along and this got pushed the back burner while boating took over all our spare time!

 

[Riverhound]

So now that the boat is tucked away for the most part we're back to engine assembly.

Cam end play checked out good... Time to start putting the top end together.

Bolted up a head so we could measure for pushrods... After a couple adjustments we got a good pattern and ordered up a set of Comp Cams Magnum one piece 5/16
6.800. pushrods

Next the Comp Cam retrofit roller lifter kit... This is a 1968 block that has been machined to accept a new style roller cam.

 

[Riverhound]

It's been a couple of months since you posted an update. How is this thing coming along??

getting back to it... summer got in the way!

 

[Riverhound]

Next up the Brodix 5.0R heads were bolted up and checked for piston clearance using the trusty putty method.... Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of that part. Heads were bolted down using ARP fastners and tourqued to 100ftlb's. The new pushrods were installed along with the stainless steel roller rockers and lash was set at zero.

Next up was installing the Edelbrock performer intake also bolted down with ARP fasteners... Of course my son couldn't wait to set the Holley Sniper on it "just so he could how cool it was going to look. It's not bolted down and has since been put back in the box for safe keeping.

Valve covers were bolted up for safe keeping. Also, picked up a Canton 7qt pan and pickup for a little extra oil capacity.

 

[Riverhound]

A CFV serpentine system is on deck to finish up the main components of the engine. This will be a fun part to install!

More to come soon!

 

[Mandelon]

What did you do with the 5.0 you took out?

 

[Riverhound]

What did you do with the 5.0 you took out?

Sitting on an engine stand taking up space in my garage.

 

[Riverhound]

Missed a lot of updates and with all things in my life, time got away from me. The engine is done and ready to go in.

The old 5.0 is out and the engine bay paint prep has begun

The new engine won't make much vacuum so the vacuum boost brake system is going down the road. when is spec'd out the CVF pulley system I went with the KRC remote reservoir power steering pump to support the new Wilwood Hydroboost brake system. If it's gonna have some go it needs to stop!

 

[4Waters]

Great build, if you decide to go with an AOD get one from a 5.0 Mustang as they have extra clutches and plates, the Crown Victoria 5.0 police cars did as well but they are harder to find, IDK if the truck AOD had the extra clutches but I'd be surprised if they didn't.

 

[t&y]

Uhhhh.. what are you going to do with that old 5.0? Does it have the wiring harness?

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

Still following RiverHound.... keep em coming

 

[wzuber]

Bump....and the conclusion is???
Looks like a cool build.