1982 Bronco 351 4x4 - Code name Esperanza

[Gsmblue]

Just drove Espy, what a difference those front bushings make! I am chomping at the bit to do the rear now! Should have the parts tomorrow.

[Gsmblue]

With regards to my defrost not working, the vacuum is good both in the cab and the engine bay. I can see the vacuum motors operating correctly, so my conclusion is the flaps in the ducts are broken.

How on earth are you supposed to service them? Is it a full dash removal?

[Gary Lewis]

Somewhere Jonathan has a how-to on replacing the blend door's hinge.  And I'm not finding it.  Perhaps you can?  But you don't have to remove the dash, although it isn't fun.

Anyway, glad the bushing help.  Maybe you can get the rest of them done tomorrow.

[Ford F834]

It’s hardly a write up, but I do have some pictures of how I fixed mine on page 4 of my project thread for the ‘81. I made the hinge out of a spare glove box door hinge because that’s what I had laying around:

http://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/1981-straight-six-manual-4x4-project-td1312i60.html

[Gsmblue]

Thanks for the input, if I read correctly, the blend door is for heat control. That is working fine, what is not working as far as I can tell is the flap attached to the diverter that controls flow to the dash vents.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I have a 10-12" stainless piano hinge if you want it.

Espy is looking great for springtime!
Less that a month to go...

[Gary Lewis]

You can see quite a bit of the action going on with the vacuum motors by looking up under the dash or pulling the glove box liner and looking through there.  Hopefully you can see what is happening - or not - and maybe it is an easier fix than the blend door.

[Ford F834]

I would try removing the padded dash pad, it’s just a few screws, then loosen or remove the vent and defrost ducts. I pulled an amazing amount of junk out of mine. The door may just be obstructed and unable to move. I was glad I cleaned it all out anyway just for better air flow and cleanliness. I had my whole dash shell out because I was swapping it for a better one, but you should be able to gain enough access from underneath and on top with the pad off.

[Gsmblue]

I read in your thread about the all the junk you pulled out! You have a great point there.

The dash pad is loose so I can pull that easily and I will see what I can do from the top and the limited access underneath.

I do have a replacement dash, kick panels and a pillar covers that I picked up from the breakers, my dash currently has a bunch of extra holes in it from the previous owner. So when I put that in later in the spring I can really pull the cab apart and get into those ducts, apply more sound deadening etc.

Espy is indeed getting ready for a good long summer, my wife is excited to drive her, hence all the work that is going on. I really need to get that steering box ordered up as that will be the last piece needed for 'drivability". I need to get back to my lists so I can prioritize the rest...

[Gsmblue]

Gary Lewis wrote

You can see quite a bit of the action going on with the vacuum motors by looking up under the dash or pulling the glove box liner and looking through there.  Hopefully you can see what is happening - or not - and maybe it is an easier fix than the blend door.

Thanks Gary, As far as I can tell the motors shift back and forth nicely...

[Gsmblue]

ArdWrknTrk wrote

I have a 10-12" stainless piano hinge if you want it.

Espy is looking great for springtime!
Less that a month to go...

I think I have a 6ft section somewhere too! and yes, this is the big push for spring time, Espy rides again :)

[Gsmblue]

The more I dig into this noise issue, the less happy I am.

I can confirm it is not the belts or the alternator now.
Having checked all the vacuum lines many times I do not think it is those.

So I went back to the water test just now.  I poured some water slowly on the passenger side of the intake manifold at the base of the carb and the water just washed right in and the sound went! I could poor enough in there to almost stall the engine!

I was never happy with those edlebrock gaskets, they did not seem a great fit. I really don't want to have to pull the intake again, that was a pain and it takes 2 people to reseat it, but I think long term that is what I have to do :(

Any thoughts?

[Gary Lewis]

Is the water going in at the base of the carb?  Or between the intake and the head?  Or somewhere else?

If at the base of the carb, as what you said suggests, then I wouldn't think the intake needs to come off.

Can you squirt some ether around and pinpoint it?  (Normally I'd suggest brake cleaner or carb cleaner, but I'm remembering your engine being painted up nicely, and they aren't kind to paint.)

[Gsmblue]

It is between the intake and the head.

I found a video online where someone had a similar problem. at 5.56 you can see the gasket failure..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmalZY1EXP0

Fel-Pro 1250S3 gaskets have been ordered and I can pick them up from the store tomorrow. I guess tomorrow afternoon/evening is going to be a messy one... Need to hoodwink a friend to help!

[grumpin]

Good find, but I have never heard of using water to find a leak like that.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Wow, that's crazy.

I guess there's a good reason I always use print-o-seal gaskets.

Why mess with success?

I'm glad you've found it before the lean condition damaged your engine.

[Gsmblue]

Crazy stuff right!  The SAME Edlebrock gaskets I complain about on about page 3 of this thread! So I  have new gel-pro  gaskets on order and will pick them up tomorrow and get that all straightened out with a few beers after work - if I can find a willing helper.

Today had some small successes though:

1. Replaced rear passenger side sway link and bushings.
2. Installed door pockets (at last, I think they are the wrong year but I have had them for over a year!)
3. Removed the 6/9 speakers
4. Ordered on eBay the rear stereo speaker kit that is NOS and has new grey grills. I only need the grills so if anyone wants the wires, the frames or the speakers let me know (E7TZ-18814-B) don't ask how much I paid it is embarrassing... I have been looking for rear grills for nearly 2 years...
5. This is the big one. Found decent from seats at the breakers! $100 for the pair, tall back captain chairs with both arm rests. They are tan but that is ok. I paid for them today and I will pull them tomorrow, clean them up and put my fun covers on them :)

phew. That is all for now. My wife will enjoy driving this car all summer or one of them will have to go!

[Gsmblue]

grumpin wrote

Good find, but I have never heard of using water to find a leak like that.

I had no starter fluid handy, so I guess this a riskier alternative, the sound goes away and the revs drop. I probably used 1/2 cup of water and about 1/8 of that got sucked in...  Espy is on bed rest for a few days! I skip town on Sunday for a week due to work so I am pushing to get as much done before then as I can, so when I get back I can enjoy driving her!

[Gary Lewis]

Good luck on the gaskets.  You do use long bolts with the heads cut off as guide pins, right?  I put them in the 4 corners and they ensure the intake goes down squarely.

But, I'm here to tell you that it can still go down lower on one side than the other, so make sure it seems to go down level.  Don't ask.  

And, a friend is a huge help in this.

Last, congrat's on all the things you got done.  And especially the seats.  I think those are going to be very comfortable.  I have a pair for Dad's truck - but haven't even sat in them yet.  

[Gsmblue]

Cheers Gary! These pesky onions!

My wife was sweet, she said “this is exactly why you have these trucks, so you get to be tested and play.”

I nearly said “just like you!” But caught myself in time

Any-who, I have the bolts from the last round of gasket fun, funny thing, I recall my friend that helped at the time was a mechanic and he dropped the intake and messed up the RTV and we had to do a second take!

Maybe this time I will ask my friend who is an EMT to help!