Looking at an 86..
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Joined: May 2011
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From: El Cajon CA
Looking at an 86..
Hey all. Newbie here. My buddy has what I keep hearing is an 86 4WD Bronco II with a V6, but it looks like it's a carb? So that means it's an 84/85?
Anyways, it's a California model, but it doesn't pass SMOG. They said it runs and drives perfectly fine, doesn't lose oil or coolant, and neither is mixing, but they don't know what's up with the smog. It's more than double what is the limit for NOX. I am thinking EGR system? Do these have EGR's? They said it doesn't overheat either...
What should I check? I am going over tomorrow to get pics and see if we can't get it started, it's been sitting for a while. Also, the brakes do not work, and it has new rotors and calipers. I'm thinking maybe they didn't bleed the system properly, as that what it feels like. What else should I look for?
I am going to buy it off of him as a project car, to turn into a daily driver/light wheeler, and then keep my JEEP for offroad, as the gas mileage SUCKS. Gotta have the VIN ran by a buddy, they don't have a title with it, and I always check, no matter who I'm buying from...
Anyways, it's a California model, but it doesn't pass SMOG. They said it runs and drives perfectly fine, doesn't lose oil or coolant, and neither is mixing, but they don't know what's up with the smog. It's more than double what is the limit for NOX. I am thinking EGR system? Do these have EGR's? They said it doesn't overheat either...
What should I check? I am going over tomorrow to get pics and see if we can't get it started, it's been sitting for a while. Also, the brakes do not work, and it has new rotors and calipers. I'm thinking maybe they didn't bleed the system properly, as that what it feels like. What else should I look for?
I am going to buy it off of him as a project car, to turn into a daily driver/light wheeler, and then keep my JEEP for offroad, as the gas mileage SUCKS. Gotta have the VIN ran by a buddy, they don't have a title with it, and I always check, no matter who I'm buying from...
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From: El Cajon CA
No, Southern California, El Cajon.
She fired right up thought, after we threw gas in it, and a new battery. Idles great, sounds like it needs a valve adjustment from all of the ticking. Temp gauge doesn't work either, so where should we be looking for that to replace?
Also, where is the oil fill at? Me and my buddy looked for 5 minutes, and can't find it?
She fired right up thought, after we threw gas in it, and a new battery. Idles great, sounds like it needs a valve adjustment from all of the ticking. Temp gauge doesn't work either, so where should we be looking for that to replace?
Also, where is the oil fill at? Me and my buddy looked for 5 minutes, and can't find it?
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From: El Cajon CA
Not the oil filter, the oil cap, where you put oil into the engine. We seriously cannot find it. Isn't it usually on the valve cover, or isn't there usually a filler tube sticking up?
Also anything on the temp sensor? Could it be a bad fuse? The turn signals don't work, so I'm wondering if maybe they are linked. Yes the brake lights and running lights work.
Also anything on the temp sensor? Could it be a bad fuse? The turn signals don't work, so I'm wondering if maybe they are linked. Yes the brake lights and running lights work.
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Probably an '85 and a 2.8 motor. SOME early '86s had 2.8s but were supposed to have 2.9s. AFAIK and IIRC from my 1986 shopping (bought a Ranger with 2.9) the 2.9 is EFI.
High NOX could be EGR system, as that's how they cool down the combustion. That and cam timing iirc.
Oil fill: Does it look like this:
IMG_6857 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
There is a breather right behind the air filter horn on the driver side on this particular engine. It has the tube to the air filter housing for air for the PCV.
Temp sender....look near the top radiator hose, intake manifold etc. Some pics of the little bugger, maybe a brass top poking out somewhere:
RockAuto Parts Catalog
Signals not linked. Check the 4 ways-then try the flasher itself, then the switch on the column, make sure all the bulbs are good.
imo, no smog = no sale.
They show an EGR valve for this thing, just scroll down to "emission" on the above link for a pic of that little bugger....
You could be into it hundreds running down the smog.....
High NOX could be EGR system, as that's how they cool down the combustion. That and cam timing iirc.
Oil fill: Does it look like this:
IMG_6857 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
There is a breather right behind the air filter horn on the driver side on this particular engine. It has the tube to the air filter housing for air for the PCV.
Temp sender....look near the top radiator hose, intake manifold etc. Some pics of the little bugger, maybe a brass top poking out somewhere:
RockAuto Parts Catalog
Signals not linked. Check the 4 ways-then try the flasher itself, then the switch on the column, make sure all the bulbs are good.
imo, no smog = no sale.
They show an EGR valve for this thing, just scroll down to "emission" on the above link for a pic of that little bugger....
You could be into it hundreds running down the smog.....
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From: El Cajon CA
Well I think I'm not going to buy it, as my buddy needs a car. And his brother is a tough one, and what he wants for it..? Wait for it..
Almost..
$4000!!!!
Yea friggin right, not even in his dreams, I can guarantee blue book for it is less than half of that in its current condition. Anyways, the engine generally looks like the above pic, except in the 1985 Bronco II layout, and minus the cleanliness. The EGR does work, I did the simple foolproof EGR testing method, which is hooking up a vacuum to it. At first it did nothing, and after about 15 seconds I was beginning to think the EGR was done for, when suddenly it made a loud POP and the engine died. So I tried it again and it died instantly without the pop this time, so I don't know if the EGR just wasn't working, or if it still is another emissions system related problem. Still need to do a leakdown test to determine if the cooling system is sealed.
Could the Vacuum switches not be working properly? How can I test each one to see if it's working?
Almost..
$4000!!!!
Yea friggin right, not even in his dreams, I can guarantee blue book for it is less than half of that in its current condition. Anyways, the engine generally looks like the above pic, except in the 1985 Bronco II layout, and minus the cleanliness. The EGR does work, I did the simple foolproof EGR testing method, which is hooking up a vacuum to it. At first it did nothing, and after about 15 seconds I was beginning to think the EGR was done for, when suddenly it made a loud POP and the engine died. So I tried it again and it died instantly without the pop this time, so I don't know if the EGR just wasn't working, or if it still is another emissions system related problem. Still need to do a leakdown test to determine if the cooling system is sealed.
Could the Vacuum switches not be working properly? How can I test each one to see if it's working?
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From: McKenzie River
As for the valve ticking.......The 2.8 is a solid lifter engine, and has a distinct valve tick to it. When properly adjusted, its not obnoxious at all, this one may be way past the valve adjustment interval (most people NEVER had it done).
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: McKenzie River
Yes, the valves can be adjusted, consult a Ford shop manual or (ugh) a Chilton's/Haynes manual for proper valve lash specs. This will quiet the valve tick considerably.
Remember this is a SOLID lifter engine........some valve tick is normal.
Remember this is a SOLID lifter engine........some valve tick is normal.
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From: El Cajon CA
Nevermind guys, their family is so selfish minded about it that they can't even realize that their own son needs a car, and this one won't take NEARLY as much to get street legal again as they say it will.
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From: El Cajon CA
So if your bronco II was sitting for 6 years, just rotting away, didn't run, wouldn't you be somewhat thrilled to see it running again?
Anyways, I might be looking for a Bronco II project myself sometime in the future, maybe even try to buy this one off of them if they come to a down to earth price, maybe $300?
Anyways, I might be looking for a Bronco II project myself sometime in the future, maybe even try to buy this one off of them if they come to a down to earth price, maybe $300?
