460 swap into a 78 Bronco

[viven44]

It won't hurt anything as it is well supported and fits in the armrest... In fact I can find these new individually...

I am just going to install it as-is. I may have to be gentle on that panel for a bit while closing the door, maybe.. until I replace the panel entirely. It is brittle

[viven44]

Pressure washed the old fiberglass hardtop. I was going to use my newly discovered capability (media blast) but wife said, why don’t you just pressure wash it ? I was like.. dang that’s a great idea.



There is loose fiberglass up top now from the many years of wear down … I think I’m going to seal up with Bondo fiberglass resin liquid which is designed to do just that. Or maybe the wimbledon white paint I have ?

[ArdWrknTrk]

Gelcoat, or tabletop epoxy has a better chance of sticking.

[viven44]

Gelcoat sounds fun!

Will the product below work ? Its also white so maybe a 2-in-1 benefit

https://www.amazon.com/TotalBoat-14409-Boat-Building-Composite-Coatings/dp/B00Q53C3NS/ref=asc_df_B00Q53C3NS/?tag=&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309819417245&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12293237871218512220&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9026945&hvtargid=pla-569903598410&mcid=e0d9f35605273b079452711b1614266e&ref=&adgrpid=62061529859&gclid=CjwKCAjw_LOwBhBFEiwAmSEQAQRZOL5LUAr7bBAilLgNp9dzyCptIVLS81EmUBlpL3ccRY2pq5huJBoCAzAQAvD_BwE&th=1

[ArdWrknTrk]

Yes, it's waxed so it won't get inhibited and remain sticky.
You'll have to wash that off when the repair is complete, or between coats.

But it won't be as self leveling as epoxy with white pigment, and epoxy is a glue first and a finish second, so you KNOW any loose fibers will be stuck down, and it's NEVER coming off.

I think I've told you that my father was director of engineering at a few plastic plants (mostly acrylic and polycarbonate)
That's probably where I get my geek on with plastic/adhesive chemistry.
You also know "I'm special!" and the smells of monomers and catalysts back then had me asking questions constantly.

He also did optics, at Barnes Engineering, Hamar Laser, and Perkin Elmer back in the days of Micraline and the Keyhole satellites.
You're in semi. There wouldn't be lithography as we know it without PE's Micraline.

[viven44]

Glad to have your multidisciplinary expertise and "specialty" here

I'll do more research into the epoxy as well!

[ArdWrknTrk]

Tabletop epoxies come in pretty small kits these days.
White universal pigment can be had at any boat store, or bodyshop supply.

If you want technical info, I highly recommend that you visit West Systems/Gougeon brothers website.
They have a staggering amount of tech data and fiberglass repair tutorials, written by actual chemists and technicians on staff. (Literally Decades and decades of information!)

Good Luck! and feel free to ask, if you think I can help.
I'll send you my cell, so you can text, if need be. (It's a lot easier to share a pic of 'a situation' than try to convey it in words to someone as "thick headed" as me.  

[viven44]

Thanks a bunch Jim!! I sure appreciate that. I think you have taken a bold move here by sharing your cell. I can be quite a pain!! But I'll do my best to limit troubling you, as you are contributing your knowledge here already and hardly sleeping as-is. I do feel guilty already

[ArdWrknTrk]

Please... If you have questions, I have answers or explanations

"Why did it turn purple and sprout like grass?!?!"

(Maybe I don't have ALL the answers... )

[viven44]

Yes! That is precisely why I have to be mindful of your time because you cannot help but help!!

[ArdWrknTrk]

Don't fret about it.  

Who knows, you may just stump the chump!
But if it's about chemistry, or material science it's not too likely.

I'm cognizant enough to know what I don't know.

[viven44]

Alrighty

[viven44]

Finally tagged and on the road!!

Took it on the highway for the first time. Did well considering it has those 33 inch mud tires.

I do have a vibration right around 30mph, whether I’m coasting or rolling or accelerating or decelerating… whole truck shaking. Always 30mph. I’ve rotated tires but I have a feeling all the tires are somewhat out of round as this bronco sat for 3 years without moving. Also going to come down to 31 inch all terrain tires to reduce noise and improve city driving.

(All the Ujoints are fresh and/or greased up well)

[Gary Lewis]

Looks good!  

But I'll bet you are right about the tires being the source of the vibration.

[viven44]

Thank you!!!

On the tires... I know the stock ones were LR78-15 (~235 75/15).

https://www.ford.com/bronco/history/1978-1979/

They don't just look right.. 31s look better. The stock ones probably would do better for city driving..... more low end torque...... still thinking

[ArdWrknTrk]

This thread came to mind because I'm about to get into a project with some basic table top epoxy and pigment I've ordered from Amazon.

Hopefully the doctors will spring me tomorrow and I can take photos for you.
Obviously I won't have data on how well it withstands UV long term, but I can give you an idea about cure times, how effective a heat gun v/s torch is for popping bubbles, etc...

[viven44]

Thanks Jim! Appreciate that! I just noticed this.

[ArdWrknTrk]

The cheap (inexpensive) bar top style epoxy arrived.
I'm going to try to get by the boat store to get white pigment, but tomorrow and Wednesday are booked solid with doctors, possibly another MRI, my annual dentist, and a follow-up w/ the sports medicine guy about building more strength up in my left knee (the one that has a 22 year old torn MCL)

But, if they're going to replace it, I don't really see the point. 🤷‍♂️

[viven44]

Take it easy! And keep us posted.

[viven44]

Just came across this 460 for sale (it sold already) as I setup an alert for a 460 as I'm looking for the saginaw brackets

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1458664291689962/

I just realized there is an idler pulley for the AC

Where can I find the AC belt diagram for a 84-86 460 with AC ? I am missing the idler... the AC belt runs from crank -> water pump -> AC compressor