460 Smog Delete and Oil Cooler Delete for a 78 Bronco Swap

[Gary Lewis]

That sure makes it look like you can keep the cooler.  And, it is a cool video.  

[grumpin]

Doesn't Chad/Beefy have a 460 in a Bronco?

[viven44]

Yeah, especially the part about getting the seats upholstered. Totally would do it if I lived in San Antonio or Houston. I do have my plans though with regards to Bullnose upholstery. Much of the fabric is woven in South-east Asia, I am thinking of getting Dentside/Bullnose factory style fabric woven during my next trip to India. Sort of like what folks in Freewheelinbroncos.com have done

[Gary Lewis]

That would be wonderful!  Go for it!  

[ArdWrknTrk]

Members here report good results from SMS Auto Interiors.

https://smsautofabrics.com/

[viven44]

I tried to get samples from SMS fabrics, they don’t have an exact match for the bullnose fabrics (or at least the ones I was interested in). Also the pricing was north of $150/yard which is crazy. I’m positive those can be obtained for $10/yard from A source :) :) my goal is to establish a source for bullnose and dentside needs only.

[ArdWrknTrk]

viven44 wrote

Yeah, especially the part about getting the seats upholstered. Totally would do it if I lived in San Antonio or Houston. I do have my plans though with regards to Bullnose upholstery. Much of the fabric is woven in South-east Asia, I am thinking of getting Dentside/Bullnose factory style fabric woven during my next trip to India. Sort of like what folks in Freewheelinbroncos.com have done

Can I ask what you do in South Asia?

I knew a young woman who designed fabrics and traveled the world getting them made.
Scotland for woolens, Bali for batiks, Italy for lace, etc...

[viven44]

I've been here longer but that's where I'm from (Tamil Nadu in South India). Every 3-5 years or so I visit family still out there. My late-grandpa owned a Textile mill (mostly yarn manufacturing), and our factory space is still out there and been rented for the last 2 decades. We have an eviction situation that my dad has been struggling with for several years, the judicial system is all jacked up, so if and when I ever get that factory space back, I intend to setup manufacturing of some kind. Upholstery manufacturing seems like a nice idea but I know several people who have done just that for 2-3 generations. Be easier to buy from them... Maybe some bullnose parts :) :) Open to ideas and wishes!

[ArdWrknTrk]

I didn't realize your family was in the textile industry.

I do wish your father, and by extension you, the best in dealing with a bad situation

[viven44]

Thank you!!

The one regret my dad and I both have had was not getting the trade passed down. We both know nothing about Textiles (full disclosure!). In fact my dad is a retired CPA, and I'm in "engineering".

[ArdWrknTrk]

I have no idea why a CPA needs a factory, but "engineering" could pretty much have gone unsaid!  😆😆😆

[viven44]

True. Those were words exchanged on why I should be in "engineering" decades ago. I do hope to do something. I just don't like the large geographical gap. Prefer something locally here. I know there is the preference to do offshore manufacturing due to lower labor costs, but with sufficient efficiency and automation that can be overcome.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Also:  I now know I'd pay to move downwind of your kitchen....    😉  🤤

[viven44]

[viven44]

"Das 460" is on the stand now.

While the Donor Bullnose truck was still running, I did/observed the following
- compression test. Pretty much stock, and healthy numbers. (pic below). Sucker had been burning some ATF for a while through the vacuum modulator so I'm sure the rings are happy and free
- oil pressure test (Cold  60 PSI, Fully warm ~25-30PSI at idle, and ~ 60 PSI at 1500 rpm).
- vacuum reading ~18 - 20 in Hg, I know it can do better. The old 4BBL EGR gasket was not in good shape.
- No oil leaks/drips... but the old 4BBL had been leaking gas everywhere for a while and it has sludged up the exterior of the intake and block mainly on the front
- The block is painted blue. Not sure if blue was the color in 1986, may have been grey. I am positive the motors been out before at least once for an oil gasket job.
- Freeze plugs all look solid. No visible degradation.

My plans are to do the following, goal is to get it back in the bronco without altering the baseline too much

- clean the block and top of the intake with soap/water
- clean valve covers, strip old paint, new gaskets
- oil pan gasket -- No plans at the moment... will just take out the dipstick, check the inside with my articulating borescope, if the pick-up and other things look reasonably clean, then just reinstall dipstick.
- rear main seal - zero plans to touch this finicky thing. No leaks at the moment. The good news is that the bronco subframe allows me to drop the oil pan if/when needed rather easily without having to do much. I have done this job on a bullnose before and it was no fun.
- I'm going to install an adapter to install the oil filter straight to the block. The cooler hoses will interfere with my lower radiator hose in the bronco. Will need a custom hose.... can revisit later.

[ArdWrknTrk]

The block & pan should be grey.

My pickup looked like it was packed full of shredded cheese (nylon cam gear teeth)
It took me an hour with crocodile forceps to unplug it.

If it's out change the pan gasket for a one piece style with washers at the bolt holes.
Make sure the strainer is clean.

RMS is a PITA. Don't touch it if it's okay.

The filter adapter is a stock part for Mustangs and the like.
Install with orange or red Loctite and an Allen wrench.

What's wrong with the lower radiator hose, when going to a 70's chassis?
Plenty of places make custom wrapped silicone pressure hoses for turbo builds.

That hose is on the suction side of the water pump.
It would be wise to put. a spring in there so it doesn't collapse before the coolant heats up and creates pressure in the system. 💡

[Gary Lewis]

If I had an engine out I'd replace the soft/core plugs.  They are a huge PAIN to replace in the vehicle and easy now.

[viven44]

Agreed. Normally I would but all the plugs on this seem to be solid including the one at the exhaust manifold output which usually rot out. I’ll take a closer look at the ones in the back.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I've never had core plugs fail on any vehicle that even remotely had decent coolant in it.

The ones inside the bell housing are not any different than the others as far as accessibility is concerned....

[viven44]

Alright I’ll add an 1 piece oil pan gasket to the mix. I’ve used it before, needs a small resizing of 4 of the washers on the gasket. Be good to check out the pick up tube, oil pump etc.

The lower radiator hose that came out of the bullnose would work I think, and it has a spring already