I recently bought a 1995 Bronco it looked like a great deal, and for the most part it is, the body is in almost mint condition no rust on the wheel wells, can't see through the fenders, just has the typical tailgate rust. The interior is in great shape, and only 81,000 miles. I got it for 3 grand, and for the most part I am pretty happy. I drove a couple with the 351 and loved the power, well I know power costs money and that is probably why i got this one so cheep, it has the 302 in it. I am an adult leader in a boy scout troop so once a month I am towing a 2500 trailer, and doing so I noticed there are times when I feel like I need more power, like for instance going up a steep hill.
I know the 302 will not make the torque down low the 351 does, but I would like to try to wake it up a bit, but I am concerned about fuel economy. I towed the trailer to summer camp last year and got 15 mpg, which I thought was amazing sense my buddy's 2001 f250 normally gets 9 pulling it, and my other friends hemi commander normally gets 14 towing it. I have heard and read mixed reviews, but from what I understand the proper cam can help me out with this. I was wondering what cam do most people recomend. Also, any other tricks would be greatly appriciated.

 

The cam that is in this motor is already a really good torque cam so I'd suggest you leave it alone and just add 1.7 rockers, that will open the valves a little further and increase engine breathing which also increases torque output. Adding these rockers is pretty easy too, remove the upper intake and valve covers and then just unbolt the stock rockers and install the new ones. These have to be torqued to spec and there are a lot of little details you need to know to do the rest of the job so I suggest you pick up a service manual(Chiltons). The other engine related thing that really helps produce more low end power is longtube headers, there are several available for these trucks but you're well advised to steer clear of the cheaper versions from Flowtech and Headman because they fit very poorly. You will need a custom exhaust system behind these as nobody makes a system to connect to them but most muffler shops can accomadate this.
Now.. the other thing the 5.0 desperately needs is the proper axle gearing and unfortunately many of these trucks got ratios that are all wrong for this motor. Check your axle code on the drivers door decal and compare it to this.. Ford Axle Code Chart .: Articles
IMO all 5.0 trucks should have come with 3.73 ratios minimum and this is even more important if larger tires are installed, so check out what you have and also let us know what size tires are on the Bronco. Gear changes aren't cheap on a 4x4 but it's probably the single best thing you can do to improve towing power.

 

Hello! Welcome to FTE.

Unfortunately the 302 can't be built for low end torque. The best thing you could do is re-gear the Bronco. What is your current gear ratio? If you have 3.08's, which is unlikely, I would suggest 3.73's.

Since you probably have 3.55's I would say go with 4.10's. The 302 and 4.10's is a match made in Heaven. It'll help you pull that heavy load.

The only other thing you can do is an engine swap, and I know that's not in your plans.

The 302 is one of the best smallblocks built but it's not the best truck engine. It's a go fast get you there kind of V8. I would want a 351 to pull a load like that on a regular basis. A 360 or 390 would be good too but the 351 would bolt right up to your transmission.

 

Dadgum it Paul you beat me to it!

 

Haaa... It doesn't hurt to have others say the same things though.. just reinforces the point.

 

I did forget about the long tube headers though.

Rep points for paul!!

But you know it sounds like he would have been happier with a 300. That's about the only other engine I can think of that wouldn't have sucked down the fuel unloaded but pull that load a bit easier.

Really though we're talking about a full size 4x4 suv - if it's a six, smallblock or whatever it's not going to be great on fuel. Unless it's a 300 I6 with a one bbrl and 2.73's like AbandonedBronco's truck had. He would get 23 mpg or so!!!!

Actually, I think AB's Bronco had 3.00's? I don't remember.

Edit: I can't rep you yet Paul. =(

 

Thats where I had been getting mixed signals. Some people were ranting about HO cams, and others said that they weren't worth it. So thank you for that. Now I am assuming that adding these rockers won't kill my gas milage.

 

Of course some people rant about HO cam's. They make the 302 go faster. Going faster isn't what you're after, however. Pulling a load is. Going fast and pulling a load are two different animals built in different ways.

 

Anything you do to increase engine TQ output actually increases fuel milage as well, and that is exactly what these mods target. Now the motor will also make a bit more HP but most of it will be at higher rpms and if you don't go there too often it won't cost you any extra at the pump.

 

i doubt it will be much, but how many mpgs could i expect to see.