351 auto to 302 manual

[Dr.B]

hello. i have a wrecked 89 f150 shortbox 4x4 with a 302 and a 5-speed. i just purchased a 90 bronco with a 351 and a auto. i would like to swap the 351 and auto out for the 302 with the manual. has anyone done a swap like this? any words of wisdom you could give to help make this swap easier? im thinking besides the motor mounts and rear drive line everything should swap rite over. any info on this would help thank you!

[jokerforever]

Don’t do it!

The 302 is a terrible truck engine at best and the Mazda 5speed is a weak POS. If you have problems with the 351 or the E4OD it would be better to repair them. If you want a stick shift instead of an auto find a smallblock ZF trans from a F250/F350 and stay with the 351. If you’re doing it in hopes of better gas mileage, buy an Escort. Plus, in most states it is illegal to swap a motor that is older than the vehicle it’s going in. There is no good reason to do this swap.

But if you do it it should be easy. Both engines use the same motor mounts. Use the cross member from the F150. You’ll have to use the pedal assemble and electronics from it too. Keep the Bronco transfer case. The front drive shaft from the truck should fit and the Bronco rear drive shaft might fit if the 5-speed isn’t much different in length from the auto. All in all it is a very doable job but I still say it is wasted effort and you would be better off going in a different direction no matter what your goal is.

[Dr.B]

thanks for the response! the only reason why im doing the swap is because before my truck got hit and totaled i just put a new 302 out of a mustang in it. the 302 is all done up with thumper heads comp roller cam typhoon efi intake 65mm tb and a mass air swap with a 75mm mass air meter. it runs awsome and has alot more power than the 351 in the bronco. i realize the tranny is garbage i have plans on building the e40d, but for now i need to swap in a good reliable running gear.

[jokerforever]

Well remember that a lot of those parts could be swapped onto the 351. You'll get more torque and a stouter shortblock. Sounds like you have a fun project either way you go. Good luck.