A few Bronco Questions

[ml_humphrey]

I am considering buying a 66-77 bronco in about six months or so. Since I don't know anyone that owns one, I am hoping that someone might be able to answer a few questions. From what I have read so far, the most common engine/tranmission combo seems to be a 302 with a 3 speed (not sure of model) or a c4 automatic. Usually you will have a Ford 9" rear end and a Dana 40 front. What kind of towing capacity will this combo have. What about the 4 speeds? are they factory or after market? I have seen some 351 windsors out there. Are these aftermarket or factory? I have read in at least one place that the 351w use something called an oil sump(?) that can actually cause the engine to run dry on a steep grade. Is this true? Is there a remedy? How steep and how long a grade are we talking about. Are there any Engine/Transmission/suspension mods that should be avoided at all costs? This should get me started. If I get a good response, I'll post more questions later. Thank You Very Much! -Mike

[DeenHylton]

>I am considering buying a 66-77
>bronco in about six months
>or so. Since I don't
>know anyone that owns one,
>I am hoping that someone
>might be able to answer
>a few questions.
>From what I have read so
>far, the most common engine/tranmission
>combo seems to be a
>302 with a 3 speed
>(not sure of model) or
>a c4 automatic. Usually you
>will have a Ford 9"
>rear end and a Dana
>40 front. What kind of
>towing capacity will this combo
>have. What about the 4
>speeds? are they factory or
>after market?
>
>I have seen some 351 windsors
>out there. Are these aftermarket
>or factory? I have read
>in at least one place
>that the 351w use something
>called an oil sump(?) that
>can actually cause the engine
>to run dry on a
>steep grade. Is this true?
>Is there a remedy? How
>steep and how long a
>grade are we talking about.
>
>
>Are there any Engine/Transmission/suspension mods that
>should be avoided at all
>costs?
>
>This should get me started. If
>I get a good response,
>I'll post more questions later.
>Thank You Very Much!
>
>-Mike
A lot of the early Broncos had 6 cylinders (170 ci and 200 ci) I would stay away from the 170 which was produced the first year or two. The Dana 40 front end was not introduced till 1971. The Dana 30 will handle the power (I ran one with a 429 SCJ and C-6 automatic that I installed)with no problems as song as you strap the front axle tubes and do not run paddle tires on the fronts. As far as I know four speeds were not an option till after 1977 and those were truck four speeds (not sutible for fast shifting or drag racing). The 351 windsors are aftermarket and are a good swap since they drop right in and only add about 80 lbs to your front suspension but give you excellent torque and H.P...its probably they way Ford should have made them! The factory 302 Bronco pan will fit and you should not have any oiling problems when 4 wheeling up and down steep terrain. I would not tow anything very heavy with a Bronco only because they have such a short wheelbase and are not as stable as a pickup. If your talking less than 2000 lbs its probably O.K....I just hate it when the trailer drives the tow rig Deen

[lvstang]

The 302 pan WILL NOT fit a 351. The upgraded front end is a Dana 44. I believe '76 and '77 44's only had the disc brakes. Look for rust in the panels under the door, the foot wells and the fender supports coming off the firewall.

Good luck in your search

[DeenHylton]

>The 302 pan WILL NOT fit
>a 351. The upgraded front
>end is a Dana 44.
>I believe '76 and '77
>44's only had the disc
>brakes. Look for rust in
>the panels under the door,
>the foot wells and the
>fender supports coming off the
>firewall.
>
>Good luck in your search

Thanks, for correcting me...I do remember (now that I think back 20 plus years) that I took the Bronco pan and cut a section out of it, I believe it was around the rear main seal. I then took the 351 pan and cut a similar chunk out of it and welded the two together. To keep the two pieces in alignment I bolted them to a piece of 3/4 inch plywood while welding. Hope thsi helps...Deen

[lvstang]

DANG Deen, that was a lot of work. Now a days you can get 351 pan from a late model Mustang swap kit. You use this kit when installing a 351 in a Mustang. They are double hump pans and are identical to the shape of the 302. The main difference in the motors is the rails on the 351 are wider then the 302. Also the deck is taller on the 351. I'm using a 'glass hood with the molded in air scoop to clear my air cleaner on my 351 powered '71.

[ml_humphrey]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 08-Sep-00 AT 04:11 PM (EST)[/font][p]Thanks for the info. Ok here's a more specific quetion. I have seen a few with various 5.0 EFI motors mated to a T-5. I like the idea of the EFI motor, but am a little suspicious of the T-5. I have seen that it is not everyones favorite on some of the Mustang boards. Opinions?

Oh, and BTW, I am talking about towing a pop up trailer. Probobly 2000lbs max.

[tschutte]