OT: Arne’s post-teener projects, Retirement project #8, 1969 Ford Bronco Options

[arne]

Confirmed today that the original fiber composite timing gear is still in place. Probably the best clue yet that the 76k on the odometer is probably correct. New metal gearset is on its way.

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[East coaster]

Plastic gear poofed on my Capri at 60k

[arne]

Dropped the steering rack and lifted the engine for clearance, and then dropped the pan. No serious surprises. Found one of the water outlets was massively corroded, amazed that it wasn't already leaking. A replacement and a few additional gaskets are all on their way now, as well as new rack mount bushings and a new steering coupler. While I wait for parts, I've been reviewing what I'm going to need to make the A/C work.

I've included a new pic from the day before I started tearing it all apart. Looks pretty good with the exterior and now interior largely complete.

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[Chris H.]

Good move on the timing gear. That was the demise of ours. I was so bummed. Couldn't drive yet but I loved the styling of that thing.

[eddie914]

Ah the memories!

The fibre timing gear KABLAMOOED on my '74 "Le Cat Black" back in 1983.

After installation of the aluminum replacement, my pals thought I had installed a supercharger ... the whining made is sound fast!

Cheers, Eddie

[arne]

Cleaning continues. Compare to picture at the top of this page.

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[East coaster]

…

[technicalninja]

I run an Automotive AC specialist shop.

For my concours quality old vehicles I still use R12.

If your condenser has large round tubes in it, you should stay R12.

R12 is less prone to leak, takes an oil that is harmless and will last forever, can be used in the old hoses (which really should be replaced on something that old).

If you're planning on converting this is the minimum IMO.

New multi-pass flat fin condenser. Look at your modern vehicle for examples.

New "Barrier" hoses. Most of what's available now is barrier. You might have trouble finding hoses and most of the time, on something like that I'm building hoses with parts from these people.

https://coldhose.com/?utm_source=google&...ASAAEgKVs_D_BwE

Fresh compressor. Only brand name!!!!! If not available, I use an old school rebuilder close to me.
http://www.yellowrosedistributors.com/

You might have the same type of shop closer to you. Yellow Rose has been rebuilding/resealing compressor for 50 years.

I spoke with the owner at length last year and the ONLY reason he still does it is to keep 2 old guys that have been working there for decades employed.
There is not a good financial reason to do this stuff anymore.
Try to find a "radiator shop". Same shit has happened to those guys.
I donated over 100 compressors to him.

An expansion valve that is set of R134 is a good thing to replace but not completely necessary.

All the O-rings need to be made from HBNR.

Massive flushing needs to be done for the old parts you re-use.
You can run mineral oil (R12) with PAG (R134), it will work at first but slowly the two will mix into a brown goo that resembles molasses.

The resultant molasses has no lubricating qualities...

The ratio for 134 to 12 is 75-80%.
So, a 2 lbs. R12 system will take between 1.5 and 1.6 lbs. of R134.

I run the PAG oil at 4-1 ratio. So, a 1.5lb system gets 6 oz. of oil. This is with a modern compressor. If that runs a York, I'd use the dip stick measure procedure to determine oil level in the compressor.
Yorks take a shitload of oil!

Hope this helps. Feel free to pm me with questions if I can be of service.

[arne]

Thanks for that. I've done this before, notably on a couple of air-cooled 911s, plus a fresh install on the '64 C10 project.

The Capri has factory A/C, not dealer. The entire HVAC on the '74 factory A/C in these cars is US made, basically a slightly downsized version of a full-size Ford system. I've used several parts from big Ford A/C as replacements, such as the blower motor and vacuum actuators.

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The condenser is definitely not the old large tube type, so it and the evaporator are going to be retained. I flushed and pressure tested the evaporator thoroughly while I was going through the HVAC box while I had the dash out, and will flush and test the condenser prior to reinstalling. A new expansion valve (R134a calibrated) has been located, a new Sanden-style compressor from a source I've used before is coming, and the hoses will all be barrier crimped up by a local hot rod shop that does a lot of custom A/C work. Haven't found an accumulator that I like yet, but I'm sure I can find something that will work.

[arne]

And I'm back. Took some time off for a long road trip in the Cayman into the Canadian Rockies—Banff and other nearby areas. Fantastic.

Now easing back into the Capri. I've got most everything I need to get the engine back together now, as the new timing gears arrived while I was away. Hope to have it sealed back up and running by this coming weekend.

Then on to the A/C, and final details. I think the end may be in sight.

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[arne]

Timing gears are on. Front cover on. Oil pan on. Steering rack back in place with poly coupler and mount bushings. Engine dropped back down on its mounts. New water pump installed.

Later this weekend I'll re-install and hook up the cooling system, plus the heater. That should make it drivable again.

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[arne]

A day later than expected, but my Capri is functional once again, after all the oil leak remediation and new cooling parts. Runs a little crisper than before, since I had set the ignition timing by ear because I couldn't find the timing marks in all the oily grunge down there. Now that the marks are visible, I found I had the timing at about 1° BTDC, rather than the 12° the factory called for. That was quickly corrected.

Almost everything seems to work fine, save the vacuum-operated heater valve. I had that working before, but didn't test it after the last work on the dash. Shouldn't be too hard to track down. Other than that, it starts easily, runs cleanly, no leaks so far, gauges all work. Steering will probably be a little more responsive with the new coupler and rack mount bushings.
Starting to plan the A/C refresh now.

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[arne]

Since my last post(s), I've been catching up with some of the little things, as the project is definitely nearing it's end. I've tweaked the center bearing on the driveshaft to eliminate a vibration during decel, tracked down a couple more glitches in the vastly over-complicated factory A/C air handler box, and recovered and reinstalled the headrests. Most of the A/C refurb parts have been ordered, and I expect the last few by late tomorrow.

I had to make a change in plan on the A/C, normally on a project like this I'd convert to a modern Sanden compressor. But the installation on the Cologne V6 is tight, and the Sanden is too long. So a new R134a-compatible York-style compressor is part of the still incoming parts.

Tomorrow morning I'm going to take the Capri to a cars & coffee hosted by the local Porsche club.

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[Patrick_139]

My first car was a 1976 2.8 that I bought in 1978. It was a good looking and fun car for its time. I must say your Capri is amazing (even with the big bumpers). Love your work and I hope you get it fully sorted. Also, I hope your new compressor is less of a drag than what came on mine from the factory as it really ate up the HP.

[arne]

Also, I hope your new compressor is less of a drag than what came on mine from the factory as it really ate up the HP.

Unfortunately, the only thing that will fit without serious re-engineering of the accessory drive is the original York piston type. It will be brand new, with seals compatible with R134a, but still more of a big lump than I was hoping to use.

[arne]

The Capri was a surprise guest at the local PCA C&C this morning. Runs great, comfy and solid. No rattles. Can't wait to get the A/C running again though...

Will probably be ready to sell by the end of the month.

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[wonkipop]

top stuff (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

would need a super roo sticker to set it off down here. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
hot escorts and capris were a feature of my youth. great little cars.

no side markers or big bumpers on the versions that roamed north arntarctica, but i don't mind the looks of that one. ford did a reasonable job dealing with it.
we also got the rectangle headlights. pretty neat.

you need to find yourself an aussie ford falcon hardtop and do a resto on one of those.
(the capris were the junior cousin in the showrooms back then and the escorts were the baby brother).
that will give you some motoring pleasure. problem is finding one. even down here. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[arne]

Test fitting the A/C hoses with the new parts, prior to having the hoses rebuilt with new barrier rubber suitable for R134a refrigerant.

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[arne]

A funny thing happened this weekend—to use the common real estate phrase, the Capri is now "Sale Pending".

No, it's not totally finished, I'm still working on the A/C and a couple of other little details. But similar to what happened with my yellow 914 years ago, a person who's been following the progress online drove several hundred miles to come see the car now, and decided they needed to tie the car up now, before others might jump in. Didn't take long to agree on a price. I will finish the car over the next couple of weeks before it is picked up.

The primary thing I'm now working on is the A/C. I had all 3 hoses rebuilt using the original hose ends (save 1). I'm waiting for a binary pressure switch port fitting to splice into the hose from the accumulator to the expansion valve. Planning to evac and charge late next week.

And not long after that, the deal should be wrapped up.

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[KELTY360]

That’s a lucky buyer!