Progress Thread Hoopty v2.0 - It All Snowballed

hoopty5.0 · Jul 23, 2025

Update: after multiple weeks of banging my head against the wall with no progress, I fixed it.

I had a plug in the wrong spot. Whoops.

Need to get it back on insurance and inspected, then off to the tuner it goes.

Noobz347 · Jul 23, 2025

hoopty5.0 said:
Update: after multiple weeks of banging my head against the wall with no progress, I fixed it.

Many people forget to do this part.

hoopty5.0 said:
I had a plug in the wrong spot. Whoops.

Need to get it back on insurance and inspected, then off to the tuner it goes.

Are we still talking about the Bronco?

hoopty5.0 · Jul 24, 2025

Noobz347 said:
Are we still talking about the Bronco?

Not even sure anymore.

RaggedGT · Jul 24, 2025

I’m waiting for the movie … lol

hoopty5.0 · Jul 24, 2025

RaggedGT said:
I’m waiting for the movie … lol

its been so disorganized that I need to see what I have and hope there's something useable to make a video out of, LOL

hoopty5.0 · Aug 5, 2025

Alright, the bronco is pretty much done, got it back from the tuner yesterday. It runs and drives like a new truck and it MOVES... probably more so than it should but its a lot of fun. I have a few loose ends to tie up but other than that, Ill be putting a lot of miles on it.

Ill have the third YT video up this week, I'm about done editing it.
As for the fox, I traded all the turbo stuff for a fresh 351. I will tear it down to inspect this week and we will all see what's inside. Kinda short on funds right now so this may sit for a while until I can figure out what all I want to do. Ideally, I want to send the shortblock and heads to a machine shop and have everything checked and see about getting the compression up around 10.25:1 to make it somewhere north of 400hp at the crank.

hoopty5.0 · Aug 6, 2025

Third Bronco video for anyone interested. I suspect that my ancient and well underpower desktop computer I bought for editing is incapable of outputting a decent file, plus the video drivers are non-compatible with the editing software. So, everything appears washed out. Hope to cure that soon.

View: https://youtu.be/wi4hMMoNRZ0

hoopty5.0 · Aug 18, 2025

I had a few minutes to tear down the 351 yesterday. Its a roller motor and a fresh .030 build, which is pretty cool. Crude measurements put the pistons .015 in the hole. I ran some rough calcs, assuming the heads are 58cc after milling and I use an .039 HG, it puts compression right at 10:1. If I go with an .027 HG then its 10.29:1.

The cam that came out of the 351 is still a mystery. No markings whatsoever other than 1535 stamped on one end. Google didnt turn much up.

Trying to maintain the "just get it running" mentality instead of trying to nerd out on hyper specifics that would ultimately slow down the process and prolong getting the car back on the road which is my main goal. No real power goals, just get it driving.

Parts still needed:
- Head studs
- Gaskets... all of them.
- Oil pan - have one located with a buddy, need to go get it
- 28oz flywheel

Other than that, I think its there other than getting the heads cleaned up at the machine shop which Ill drop off today.

Also taking the headers in to get coated. Although I may pivot to getting the intakes and valve covers done instead. I have a trade worked out with my powder coating buddy.

HotFox · Aug 18, 2025

If you are staying NA, deffinently stick with the thinner HG. You should be targeting quench under ~ .045, .060 is to much., unless you are spinning 9K then maybe .045 -.050.

hoopty5.0 · Aug 18, 2025

HotFox said:
If you are staying NA, deffinently stick with the thinner HG. You should be targeting quench under ~ .045, .060 is to much., unless you are spinning 9K then maybe .045 -.050.

I meant to tag you and ask that question but saw a squirrel. Staying NA for sure. The .027 HG is a MLS type. Do I need to do anything to the heads to make that work, or does it matter at 400hp?

HotFox · Aug 18, 2025

Just make sure block and head are flat and you will be fine. MLS might have a Ra requirement just make sure head and block are in spec on that, any reputable machine shop can measure that.

hoopty5.0 · Aug 18, 2025

Heads are at the machine shop as of lunch time. He's going to clean them up and mill them down to 58cc from 60cc.

I asked if they were busy and he said "It'll take a couple days." I giggled all the way back to the truck. I've never had anything done at a machine shop that didnt span the changing of a few seasons!

HotFox · Aug 18, 2025

Yeah I would be giggling to...no machine shop is quick around me....but if they are busy it means they are damn good!

hoopty5.0 · Aug 19, 2025

Taking my intakes, valve covers, and whatever else I can find to the powder coater on Thursday. He has this cool base grey that has a red/blue flake in it and then will do some red infill in the MOTORSPORT recesses in the valve covers, I think itll look sharp!

hoopty5.0 · Aug 19, 2025

My plan to reuse the cam just fell apart.

So now I need to find a cam to stuff in this thing. No, paying Ed or anyone else $500+ for a custom cam isnt an option. I need something on the cheap that will work.

I still have the mystery cam from the 351. Need to measure the lobes and see what that looks like.

HotFox · Aug 19, 2025

That sucks man! Please weigh carefully the difference in price between what you buy and custom!

Remember if you stick some used POS in, or cheap off the shelf lifters and you have to do a partial or complete tear down. You will be money ahead with custom with the correct supporting parts.

It's like the tractor guy that rebuilt his engine with crappy cast pistons, and had to tear it all back apart in short order. If he would have just bought the Gibtec pistons I recommend it would have been cheaper and much less frustrating.

hoopty5.0 · Aug 20, 2025

HotFox said:
That sucks man! Please weigh carefully the difference in price between what you buy and custom!

Remember if you stick some used POS in, or cheap off the shelf lifters and you have to do a partial or complete tear down. You will be money ahead with custom with the correct supporting parts.

It's like the tractor guy that rebuilt his engine with crappy cast pistons, and had to tear it all back apart in short order. If he would have just bought the Gibtec pistons I recommend it would have been cheaper and much less frustrating.

Very true, my friend. I havent made any decisions yet and still weighing options.

hoopty5.0 · Aug 20, 2025

HotFox said:
Yeah I would be giggling to...no machine shop is quick around me....but if they are busy it means they are damn good!

Well, I'll eat crow on this one. Heads are done. 3 bent valves, little bit of welding work and milled them to 58cc. Hair over $500.

hoopty5.0 · Aug 21, 2025

Dropping off a load of parts to be coated this afternoon and picking up the heads from the machine shop today. Might be quiet for a while until I can drum up some more cash to buy some parts.

Have y'all seen Motion Raceworks new giveaway car? Sure is cleannnnnnn

hoopty5.0 · Aug 22, 2025

Before and after of the heads:

I've spent all my cash for now and am waiting on some other things to come around before I can keep buying parts. But hopefully soon I can start putting this all back together.

It would be nice to run across a cheap K member and a front sway bar. Those are 2 things I desperately need!

Progress Thread Hoopty v2.0 - It All Snowballed

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