What do I do with this '69?

[Zanthrax]

Ok, I just bought a 1969 Bronco, uncut, rust-free for the most part (some surface rust on the roof that's easier fixed). It's got original hubcaps, mats etc...

It's got the inline 6-cylinder and manual transmission...

The problem is that the engine is blown. Do I rebuild the original factory - numbers matching - 6 cylinder, or do I drop in something with a little more power? I'm new to old cars, and I don't want to do anything to hurt it's market value...

What do you guys think?

Thanks,

Zanthrax

 

[Broncoholics]

You should upgrade to a V8 because when you have the extra power you will be glad you have it. You can get a cheap auto trans or 3 or 4 speed pretty cheap. Its all worth it. I keep looking back at all the things I did two or three times to get right and it cost me an arm and a leg. Might as well do it right the first time. Where are you located? There are many Bronco parts suppliers (new & used) around.

 

[Zanthrax]

You should upgrade to a V8 because when you have the extra power you will be glad you have it.  You can get a cheap auto trans or 3 or 4 speed pretty cheap.  Its all worth it.  I keep looking back at all the things I did two or three times to get right and it cost me an arm and a leg.  Might as well do it right the first time.  Where are you located?  There are many Bronco parts suppliers (new & used) around.

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So it won't hurt the value of the vehicle to pull the original 6 cylinder and put in a V8?

 

[S_bolt19]

If you are wanting to go the "original" route, then yes, replacing the original engine will hurt the value. If you want to go with what is more sellable, then no, it could actually increase the value of the vehicle. There are very few 6 bangers left on the road anymore because 99.9% of people out there who want an EB want one with a V8 in it for the power advantages.

Like anything else though, build it the way you want it. Most of us have more money in our EBs than we could ever get out if we tried to sell them. The best thing you can do is to sit down before you tear into it and make a list of the things that you want to do to it....V8 swap, EFI swap, 4-speed, heavier duty axles, lockers, gears, etc. and then find the parts before you rebuild it. But like was stated earlier

I keep looking back at all the things I did two or three times to get right and it cost me an arm and a leg.  Might as well do it right the first time.

That is probably the best advice anyone can give you. But if it is in really good original shape, uncut and all, it would be a crying shame to cut an uncut Bronco.

 

[Bully Bob]

Well....., it depends on what you're going to do with it. If you think you need all that power (V/8) .... the only thing you can re-use is the transfer case. You have to cut room & repl. radiator with the larger V/8 rad. This (changing 6 to 8) is not a "1 banana job"

That I-6 is bullet-proof when properly taken care of. I've run mine here in the L.V. desert for 14 yrs. & it's always "the rig to beat." I run no doors or top, bigger tires & 456 gears. (but it's not a rock-crawler)

-BUT- I get the feeling you're wanting to leave yours orig. & stock...?

There's a Ford 6 website that will tell you all about that eng.

Also, where are you...? 69 needs smog working in some states.

Get the #'s off the block & intake manifold & take to a mach. shop... they can tell you the year & c.u. size of your motor. (prob. 170 but could be a 200) & head. Should read like "C9DE" (C9 means 69)

Let me know if you want to do any mods to the motor if & when it's re-built or swapped.

click the PM button to email me direct.

Bob

 

[Zanthrax]

Well....., it depends on what you're going to do with it.  If you think you need all that power (V/8) .... the only thing you can re-use is the transfer case.  You have to cut room & repl. radiator with the larger V/8 rad.  This (changing 6 to 8) is not a "1 banana job"That I-6 is bullet-proof when properly taken care of. I've run mine here in the L.V. desert for 14 yrs. & it's always "the rig to beat."  I run no doors or top, bigger tires & 456 gears. (but it's not a rock-crawler)

-BUT- I get the feeling you're wanting to leave yours orig. & stock...?

There's a Ford 6 website that will tell you all about that eng. 

Also, where are you...?  69 needs smog working in some states.

Get the #'s off the block & intake manifold & take to a mach. shop... they can tell you the year & c.u. size of your motor. (prob. 170 but could be a 200) & head.  Should read like "C9DE"  (C9 means 69)

Let me know if you want to do any mods to the motor if & when it's re-built or swapped.

click the PM button to email me direct.

Bob

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This pretty much answers my question right here... I'm not going to be going offroad in this, other than driving it up to the lake and things like that..so I don't really need the extra power. I'll probably put some different wheels and tires on it, depending on how clean I can get the hubcaps...but I want to keep it as stock as possible. So I guess I'll be keeping the I-6..

What's that website? I'd like to check it out!

I'm in Ga, so there are no emissions or smog req. on the 69 here.

I don't have the numbers right now, but it is the 170...

Thanks!

 

[Broncoholics]

Just remember when you're behind the wheel of a Bronco you're gunna what it all. And that includes all the power you can get for your buck!

Smoke them tires!

 

[Straight6]

I think the site your looking for is fordsix.com when you get there just click the forum option at the top go to the bottom of that page and answer their question and your in. I have a 83' w/300 I-6 and just roaming around on there answered all of the questions I had. Hope that helps, good luck.

 

[tcdc86]

Original is better!