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I'm back. I ended up replacing the carb with a China clone. The reviews said it was too lean for the 302/289 they were selling it for...perfect for the little 2.8. it runs awesome now. It has been in the road for a year now and is in line for new front bearings, rotors, calipers and still needs paint.
My "problem" is I keep buying these things! Now we have an 89 5 speed with manual case 4x4 with 51K miles on it. It was what I call a pawpaw truck with the insurance stickers and things I found inside it. has sat since 2011 and the engine was locked. I tried everything, trans fluid, PB Blaster, acetone mixes..tried spinning from the crank bolt and using a prybar on the flywheel teeth. Every day after work for two weeks I would rock it a few times in 5th gear with no luck. Finally I got some Kroil and put it in the cylinders and intake and after 24 hrs it worked! The engine is spinning free now. It of course needs a fuel pump, and other stuff, but I think this will be a runner. The interior is like a time capsule. My 12yo daughter has claimed it to be her first vehicle since she wants to learn a manual as well. So ANOTHER new project is here. I still have the parts 90 and it will see more use here.
Grabber blue raptor liner
It has been a slow process of new fenders, new rocker panels rear quarter panel patches and lots of sanding but finally got the 85 painted. It is tintable Raptor Liner with Grabber Blue added. Came out OK. Now to get the new emblems and light in it. Then paint all the black trim. We also ended up with a new Hurst shifter. Wasn't cheap but only one company makes them for the FM145 and I didn't feel like doing an engine swap just yet.
Thanks, it really is nice. I got it running good enough to lot drive and besides having a cracked head pouring out coolant, it feels like a 50k mile vehicle. No shifter slop, no suspension noise, tight 4x4. This summer it's getting the 2.9 from my wrecked 90 and I will tear down the old 2.9 and see how bad the bottom end is from having coolant in it for 10 years
Another update... I ended up pulling the 2.9 from the 1990 parts truck. It appears to be a Jasper rebuild, so unsure of miles. I pulled the main and rod bearings and they looked good, but since I was in there I replaced them all. It has the updated heads and everything looked good. I installed it into the 1989 to replace its 51K mile cracked head engine. Got it running good with new clutch parts, fuel injection stuff and lots of rubber lines and hoses. I got tired of laying on my back so I got a 2 post lift early this year. It has been amazing! I used it for the engine swap and most recently to put some 2" blocks on the rear of the 89. The factory sag is ridiculous and now it sits almost level. We got some new emblems, lenses and such for the blue 85 and it is looking sweet. Turns a lot of heads. About to have 2 of these on the road now.
refreshed a 1990 2.9 with new main/rod bearings and gaskets. Installed in 1989 B2 new lift for the shop! 2" rear lift blocks to temporarily get rid of the factory rear sag the Broncos
