Does any one know the specifics of swapping a 4V 351 Cleveland into a 1978 Bronco? It now has a 302 with a standard transmission. Do you know where I can gather the information or someone to contact that has made such a swap? Thanks,
cobra-bronco

 

It should be pretty much a bolt in swap. Same transmission bolt pattern. Will need different exhaust manifolds or headers. The 4 barrel 351C will be a dog in that truck unless you put some low gears in it, because of the low slow speed port velocity in the huge 4 bbl heads. They make spacers to bolt inbetween the manifolds and the heads that make the ports smaller. This is only a little better. You may need different rubber engine mounts, but the metal engine stands will work fine. The 351C will also get poor mileage.

 

351C is a differant bell bolt pattern, you are thinking of the 351W. 351W has the same as a 302. 351C is the same as the 351M 400M and the 460. Be alot easer at this point to go with a 351W.

 

Wrong, bossing. 351C also is the same bolt pattern. I should know, since I've done the swap. I stuck a 351C into a 65 Ranchero that had a 289. Bolted right to the very same bell housing. Not only that, but the original 400 also had the small block bolt pattern.

 

Sorry bud but I have both engines sitting right here in my shop, way differant!

 

Sorry bossind but you are wrong the 351c is a small block bellhousing bolt pattern ran one last year in my race truck, and used the C6 that was behind my 302 if you have a 351 with the big block bellhousing it is a 351m/400 not a cleveland. The cleveland NEVER had the bigblock bellhousing attached to it.
As far as the origanal question it is a bolt in swap pretty much even the motor mounts are the same the only thing is the brackets for the accerious (spl?) are different so use the ones from the cleveland.

 

I have a 351M/400 and a 302 sitting in the garage the bolt patterns are not the same. The big block is bell housing is 17 3/4" tall and top bolts are 6 3/4" a part and on the windsor side of things the bell is 16 3/4" and top bolts are 5 1/8" a part.

As for a 351C fitting a 302 bell housing, yes I was incorrect on that, I was thinking of something else. I think it was the heads I was thinking about. Sorry about that.

 

Sorry Steve you are correct on the 351C, I knew it but forgot, I'm on drugs or something.

 

No prob bossind. Nobody is perfect. It would be pretty boring if we were. A lot of people don't know that some of the 400's came with the small block pattern too. Not many though. I think it was only a first year thing.

 

Well, swap is complete, looks good and sounds great in the bronco. Have plenty of git up and go in 1st and 2nd gear but loose it in 3rd. I have been told that gearing can be changed in tranny. It is a standard tranny. 1978 Bronco. Does anyone know what I can have done to the tranny to make the engine preform in all gears?
Thanks,

 

the tranny gearing is not something you would have changed. the gears in the differentials is what needs changed out. figure about a grand to 1500 for gears front/rear.

that 351c must have been free, otherwise you would have dropped in a 351w with better torque and wouldnt have need a gear swap

 

Nope wasn't free by any means, came out of a cobra and has been well gone through. Previous owner stated that he isn't sure, as the builder of the engine move away, but the motor is putting out somewhere between 400 to 500 HP. This was just a project I wanted to do, and not through yet. Thanks for the information, I was aware of changing gears in front and rear but was told about the tranny and was trying to find someone that might know. Thanks again for the reply.

 

you might find out what the specs are on the cam in it because that along could make it have more power higher in the rpm range and affect your take off performance.

 

Unfortunately Kemicalburns I have tried desperately to get that information but the builder moved from FL to NC and the seller is unable to make contact and get that information.

 

i see. oh well. its liveable right.

what part of idaho?