Yessir! That's a great story!

I figured I'd update this a little. Since I've acquired the 74 I've been doing some much needed upgrades/fixes. First I added a viperbuilt c4. I rebuild the j-shift d20. I also added TBP twin sticks. I had to modify those as the front axle stick was bent over into my leg. So out came the torch.

Before



After

Next up on the list of needed repairs is to replace the leaking 4core radiator.






Im in the middle of replacing it now. I will also be changing the cooling for the transmission. I will be routing the trans through the radiator then to the derale aux cooler with a fan.


Next up on the list when this is complete is adding power brakes with a astrovan hydroboost. Also on the list is install the larsbars from the build day and new shock hoops with new shocks with a 1" body lift.

What's the pad above the CB? Anti-knuckle buster?

That's just a plate to cover the holes in the dash from the old stereo. New stereo is in the tuffy console.

Started making a new upper radiator mount. I dont want to use the stock uppers. It will be mounted to the radiator with a rubber block. This should allow the core support to flex/twist and not the radiator.

Interesting, only one mount on the top?

Curious to see what you come up with. Have you had issues with radiator damage wheeling in the past?

I personally have not. But have read many reports about it. With how flimsy the core support is Im not wanting to risk it. Aluminum radiators are brittle. They dont take much twisting before they crack.

do some people brace the core support on rebuilds? adding in few pieces of angle iron or something to help with the twisting? I guess that might move the twist to the inner/outer fenders i would assume..

Cut out the inner fenders, less leverage on the core support.

Spent the day plumbing it the transmission. Routed it through the radiator and then back to the new aux cooler. Wired the fan up on that. Then went and put a quick ten miles on it to check for leaks.

Picked this guy up for the efi parts. 169k miles. Auto. Got it for $400. Its clean straight and rust free. The bad is there's a rod hanging out the bottom of the oil pan.

So far I'm $480 into this efi. That include my lightning lower.

How'd you end up with a Lightening lower so cheap?

Made a little progress this morning. Man it got hot quick.

Ok so time to update this some more. If you read the "you know what sux" thread you will see my mishap. So in starts the bronco creep. Plans for now are to have a winter long build.

Current 351 is a 74. Out of a galaxy. When it was built in 1995 it was just a stock rebuild. Has 23k on it now. Has an erson cam in it. 208*@.050 and .448 lift. Wasn't nothing special. Desktop dyno showed ~250hp ~300tq.

New build is to keep the bottom end in place if the #6 piston is in good shape. If its busted I will put new pistons and rings in it to up the compression from 8.5 to 9.5. Looking to add a set of heads to it. Currently looking into the edelbrock e-street heads. Will top it off with the lightning lower/93cobra upper I have. I am also going to change up the cam and go a little bigger. Looking at a crane cam that's a dual profile. 218*/224*@.050 490/503" 112lsa. add in there a 75mm TB to match my upper intake and on desktop dyno it shows 350hp/410tq with over 350tq from 2500 to 5000.

On the list to also install is the body mounts w/1" lift. Hydroboost. Lars bars. front shock hoops and shocks.

here is where bronco creep sets in. I have a 4r70w in the garage that will need gone through and the adaptor put on. Do I install this also or just get the motor done with the c4 for now. To help offset the 4r70w cost I will sell the c4 and adaptor. Has ~1k miles on it since viper rebuilt it.

All in all if my mismatch of parts can get a solid tune, it should run pretty damn good.

No brainier...........put that 4R70w in there

x3. If it won't massively delay things I'd do it. As long as it's apart....you should do a frame off resto.

I also think your decision on whether you put in the 4r70w will determine how Garry flashes your computer as well as how you run your wiring harness. May as well do it once while it is all apart...

I also assume you are doing serpentine front dress from the explorer?

Well I guess I just answered that question. I just ordered the 4r70w to d20 adaptor. Also received my ebay hydroboost bracket yesterday. Just a few more big items and it's time to tear into it. Gotta get the trans built and order the engine parts.

Excited to see it come together !

Nice!

Man I dunno why I keep doing this. I was playing around on desktop dyno again. I was curious if changing the heads from the edelbrock's to AFR185's would make a difference. After getting all the flow specs of the AFR's and entering them I showed only a 10ft peak torque gain. But a 50hp peak gain. Hmm but the AFR heads are another $800

What heads were you planning on running in the first place?