Another 7.3 Powerstroke Bronco Build

[rpenner54]

[QUOTE=Mush's 99;1899372


Used the chevy exhaust donuts on the up-pipes with nickel anti-seize.[/QUOTE]

Link? Article on this?

[Mush's 99]

I'm not sure if I can post links to other sites but I haven't really found an article on them. I used Victor Rienz F-17250 from Chevy 350's. They are similar to the factory exhaust donuts just thicker and softer than the blue fel-pro replacements.

The nickel anti-seize is just a higher temp good to something like 2200 degrees. I used quite a bit of it which I think helped them seat a little better when tightening.

You might be able to see them in one of the pictures of the engine. Hope this helps

[Powser]

Two things, i dont know if i missed it but did you do any modifications to the firewall? also if you dont mind me asking how much your in the hole. in the process of getting all my pieces together to start the same build.

[Mush's 99]

I haven't done anything to the firewall yet. I haven't really touched on the body but I have cut the existing firewall from the 97 F250 to weld in on the Bronco.

And it is hard to say how far into the hole I am but the 97 donor truck was purchased for $3000 and the rolling chassis from the 03 F250 for $1000. But so many parts have been juggled around or sold from the 88, 97, 99, and 03 that I have really lost count. I have made quite a bit of it back through local ads. I have kept receipts for what I have bought but don't want to tally those up until the truck is done. I don't think I want to know

Over the last two weekends the 97 has been completely stripped and scrapped with the box now acting a trailer and everything salvageable is on the local classifieds. I am thinking I will keep the box and make a matching trailer for the Bronco since I might try sell my 99 in the spring. I don't think I would have been able to do this swap without having a complete (mostly complete) donor truck to use as a reference and have ALL the pieces I'd need.

[Mush's 99]

Well I was supposed to bring the chassis back home so I could work on it throughout the winter, but the roads were too sloppy so that will have to wait.










Next up:
pulling injectors and replacing o-rings
wiring the engine
new rad cradle
plastic fuel tank and run lines
And try finding a body shop/bodyman willing to take this project

[diesel_brad]

Looks REALLY good. I like the blue engine and all the other subtle details

[The Butcher]

It looks badazz already and you don't even have the body on it yet!

How short is that rear driveshaft going to be? Looks like it might be kinda tight between the trans and rear diff.

[Mush's 99]

Thanks for the compliments. I just pulled the injectors and they look pretty dirty, especially the nozzles. Some of the O-rings look like they've been replaced as they all aren't the same. I think I would like to have them tested. Also, does anyone know what's the best way to clean the nozzles?

[Binder man]

best you can do is wire wheel. Possibly ship them to swamps or somewhere similar to have them tested.

[Mush's 99]

I ended up soaking them in diesel fuel conditioner cause I had some lying around, that didn't do anything. Then tried using diesel fuel and had similar results. What ended up working was lacquer thinner and a fine scuff pad and my fingernail. Brass brush wasn't nearly abrasive enough.

The local diesel shop around here wanted $800 to test the injectors because they said they had to check the internals first and replace any bad parts to avoid contaminating the machine. So after cleaning I soaked them in diesel again and dipped them in oil and reinstalled them. If these injectors give me any trouble I am going to get a set of AC code injectors.








After I left the glow plugs out and put the valve covers on and attempted to crank it over by hand to empty the cylinders of any oil that may have drained in. My inexperience began to show because the bolt was turning but it didn't feel like the engine was cranking but I kept going.....



I think I may have an issue with the flexplate rubbing or being jammed somewhere. The engine was turning when I was installing the flexplate and torque converter but not anymore. I slackened off the transmission and still nothing so I think I'm going to pull the transmission again and start over. And try back what's left of that bolt out.