[Matt98]

I made my first step of progress on getting the my 1980 bronco going today.. I rented a borescope and I checked out the fuel tank, I couldn't get it to focus but I didn't see any rust color so I think I'm good there. Although when I was checking the combustion chambers (I only checked three cause I ran out of light), I noticed cylinder 5 had some scratches on the cylinder wall

Now I checked 2 other cylinders, however the piston was too high to get a view of the walls, so I'm not sure if they look the same or not. I do plan on putting some motor oil in the cylinders and letting it soak in to prevent any piston ring damage, just as a precaution as it has been sitting around 12 years. Is this cause for concern?


Also, while I was underneath the bronco I saw some weird bracket with lots of springs right above the driveshaft underneath where the rear sit would sit. It is in the center of the following picture:

Im really not sure what it is. I don't think it has anything to do with the parking brake cable? Although it may be worth mentioning that the parking brake cable that goes from the driver's side to the passenger side isn't bolted down anywhere. There is a clip on the cable next to the differential, but I'm not sure where it bolts in to and I don't wanna mess with the bolts on the diff unless I'm certain in doing the right thing.


This was kind of a long post so thanks for your help.

 

[Doosenberry]

Those "scratches" look like cross hatching from when the cylinder was honed prior to the engine being assembled. They probably look "worse" than they are due to the light shining on them from the scope. That's my guess anyway.

My guess at the bracket with the springs is it's some sort of exhaust hanger. Usually the OEM exhaust runs through that area on the passenger side, so a hanger right around there might make sense. Usually they are a couple of fixed pieces of metal (one on the Bronco, one on the exhaust) with a rubber piece holding them together to allow the exhaust pipes to move a little.

 

[Matt98]

Okay well glad to hear your opinion on the scratches.

I didn't know the bronco had just a single exhaust pipe. It uses to be my grandpa's, he must have redone the whole exhaust.

 

[dash_cam]

+1 for the "scratches" to actually be the crosshatching.

if the engine hasn't been turned over in 12 years, i would use something stronger than motor oil in the cylinders. i honestly don't know what is best to use in that situation. i feel like i've heard things like ATF, kroil, marvel mystery oil, etc.
i'm not suggesting that oil is bad or won't work, just that there may be a better option.


*unrelated - @Doosenberry you need to update your signature to include your FOTY victory

 

[packagerjr]

The spring plate is indeed an exhaust hanger. Also agree with the other guys that the “scratches” aren’t an issue. The cylinder walls have to have enough valleys to hold some oil for the rings.

 

[MojoJojo]

The spring plate is indeed an exhaust hanger. Also agree with the other guys that the “scratches” aren’t an issue. The cylinder walls have to have enough valleys to hold some oil for the rings.

What they said^^^^
Call me crazy but I would drain the oil fill the block with diesel fuel, hand crank slowly…. If it’s smooth, pull the hot wire off the dizzy so it won’t spark and hit the ignition.