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I got a 90 bronco EB edition I built on a strict budget for a local mud bog competition last summer. Its got the 351w and the E40D in it and it did great even though I blew the brake lines and had the alternator go on the way to the place. Anyway I was gonna wait till summer to get it ready for this years race but I just found out that there is a race this sunday near my house. Long story short I didnt think of waterproofing the ignition system which is what failed on me last year half way through my run, does anyone have any tips on waterproofing it for sunday? Alot of people told me to rtv seal the distributor cap on and use dielectric grease on all the spark plug wires, is there anything else I can do?
Dielectric grease on all the electrical connections will keep moisture away from the connections. Personally, I'd never seal the distributor cap to the casting. I WOULD use the same dielectric grease between it and the casting. you can apply it fairly heavily so it will seal out moisture but won't make quick removal a PITA if it becomes a necessity. The dielectric nature of the compound will also negate the need to worry if you get in on anything inside the dizzy that needs to have a good electrical connection.
Beyond that, keep an eye on where you see water spray when you get it up in the engine bay. The fan will throw water all over the place. A spray bottle full of diluted Coca-Cola (equal parts Coke and water) will allow you to zap the fan with the engine running and hot. Then shut it down and have a look of a feel around the engine for sticky spots. This will tell you where the fan is throwing water if it gets high enough to do so. If you notice sticky spots on electrical connections or components (like the alternator) you can devise splash shields to avoid moisture damage.
Living in the river valley where five major rivers converge, my buddies and I are ALWAYS fording flooded roads and getting into watery situations that can fry electronics. You do what you have to to prevent it from happening. So, while the idea of deliberately making your engine bay sticky with soda-pop may sound silly, its nothing that a good dousing with hot water won't wash away afterwards. You can use the "rinse cycle" to determine whether your splash protection really works too.
__________________ The only stupid question is the one you DON'T ask!
Thanks for the advice, last time I noticed a lot of guys in my class had mats hanging off the front of their trucks for splash protection. Do you think it would work or should not even try this and come up with something different
I also noticed that some guys had cardboard in front of their radiators to slow mud from going through, wouldn't the lack of air make the truck overheat though?
Do you still have the Rubber Cover for the Dizzy? They actually work pretty good, My Bronco's was MIA when I bought it, So I stole the one that was on my 91 5.0 Tbird before I sold it. I would also cover up connections...I found this real strechy waterproof tape at O'Reileys. Its in the electrical aisle. I prefer it over your normal electrical tape.
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-Mike-"I'm not short, I'm Fun Sized! "
The Daily: 96 Jeep XJ Country, 4.0 HO, 3.55s, lots of mods, 120k miles
88 Bronco XLT, 358w(now Roller), Lightning GT40s, Built C6, 4.10s...57k original miles
Toy:08 Kawisaki KFX450R, DRD titanium pipe and muffler
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