69 coupe resto/build-up

Not real sure what we are going to do with the suspension yet. He already said we are doing 4 wheel disc brakes on it. We have a 9 inch rear to put in it, probably do a caltrac setup back there. I guess it all depends on how much money/how soon he wants to drive it again.

Hard part now is talking him into buying a TIG welder, they are hellish expensive. I'm not a good enough welder to feel safe using s MIG. Plus I can use it to DIY a turbo setup on my car then.

We took off the fenders and bumper and found out it was wrecked. Passenger-side shock tower is welded/bent and the bolts to the bumper bracket weren't factory(on the passenger-side). Hell the one bolt didn't even go the whole way thru the frame-rail. More bad news there too both sides are badly rusted were the bumper attaches to them. This is turning into a lot of work which is what I expected.

Almost have the 351w out of the Bronco then we can get rid of that scrap heap. I think we are going to build a 393w with AFR 205's. I still haven't researched the 351-400Modified route. But I believe there is one of those sitting around here too. I thought they were a cleveland based motor so I need to learn more.

We are going this week to get grinders and other tools we are going to need. Then we can see how deep the cancer is and plan the attack while waiting on a welder. Looks like we are going to get a Syncrowave 200 or 250dx.

this is the side that got hit, where the 2 bolts are it bulges out and the silver/unpainted part on the framerail is a welded on plate

the nice side

close up of the passenger-side framerail

close up of drivers framerail

me holding the light for my daughter

the gang that comes to watch, drink beer and tell me what to do


My brother is the one in the red hoody 2 uncles wearing the flanels and Big Ed in the Ford shirt. Dad is behind the camera so doubtful to see pics of him.

We were supposed to go get grinders and tools but when I got there Dad's truck was making a bad noise. So we messed with it and waited for someone to come look at it. It was the rear-end carrier bearings went bad.

We leveled the car and put it on jackstands. We only have Fridays to work on it so it is going to be a long slow process.

Last night we almost got the 351W out of the old Bronco, 1 stuck TQ converter bolt holding us up. After that we moved inside and took out the 8 inch rear and shocks both front spindles and the passenger side spring.

I really hate working on stuff after other people any more. I was trying to take off the leaf springs and one of the nuts was ground half way off but they stopped when they got to the bolt. Why would someone do that and not finish the job? Then drive or let someone else drive the car like that. Whoever swapped the 302 into it never put V8 springs in the front either.

We are going today to look at tools and stuff. At this point everything has been done with wrenches and ratchets. I'll add pics when Dad sends them to me.

We got the 351W out of the old Bronco this week. Unfortunately it isn't a roller block, it looks pretty good for sitting for a long time. No rust in the cylinders or anything. Probably didn't hurt that Bee's built a nest in the carb, it had water pooled in the top of it.

Dad accidentally deleted the pics from last week and hasn't posted this weeks pics yet. When/if he does I'll add them here.

It was in a 84-85 bronco but it had a Jasper crate put in it in 2000. Which kind of worries me the deck on the block has 040 written all over it. I hope it wasn't bored out already.