i'm looking at buying a 1989 ford bronco with a 4.9 straight 6 in it.it has 35/12.50r15 on it with 6 inch lift kit and it has a manual transission in it too.i was wondering how reiable is this engine and the power

 

In my opinion they are a great engine, basically bulletproof, tons of low end torque.

 

Depends on the gear. That's a lot of tire for the six. Better drive it, and see if it will pull 5th. If it has 4.11s or 4.56s you are probably good.

Stock that would be the Mazda trans. First is 3.91, ratios are fairly close, OD is .80 or so. These have rubber plugs up top that should be checked and replaced to avoid fluid loss. Hydraulic clutch. Not sure if the Bronco suffers the flexing firewall problem with the F series. Watch for cracks or rust near the clutch master.

This should be an EFI 6. Power is pretty good. Make sure it's all hooked up, starts easy etc.

 

The 4.9l (300) will still pull even if the gearing is a bit off. I agree that 4.56's would be the best for axle ratios with tires that size though. I know folks (myself included) who would rather drop two cylinders in favor of the 4.9 than gain two cubic inches with the 5.0. IT has been touted many times over as possibly the BEST light truck engine ever made. Some may argue but few will be able to deny its service record.

 

I beat the hell out of a 4.9 in a 92 F-150 for 15 years put 215,000 miles on it. Damn fine motor. My 87 bronco is running a 4.9 with 200,000 miles on it. With the stock gears behind a C-6 trans on 33/ 12.5 crushers. It pulls them just fine. Just don't think that six cylinders means better gas mileage. Big pistons lots of fuel.

 

that sounds like one hell of a setup.
go ahead and get it...

 

sounds like you found a great bronco. drive it for sure and dont be afraid of taking into a trusted mechanic or ford dealer and pay the hours shop time to have it looked over. trust me thats money well spent.

 

I can only speak for the engine - I'd prefer that engine over all the others offered on the Bronco / Truck platform.

George

 

Come to think of it, that is the exactly engine/transmission setup mine will have if I ever get finished with it. The 302 and the E4OD are going far away from my Bronco.

 

I've got the same setup as what you're looking at jody, aside from the fact that I am only running 31 inch tires. But as for the engine and tranny, I've got over 255,000 miles on mine and the only problems I've had have been normal service issues, things like the water pump, alternator, and clutch, parts that unlike the engine, were not designed to last 20 years/250,000 miles. In my opinion, if you haven't done it already, get the bronco.