Hey everyone,

I have a 96' Bronco XLT with the "high end" 351W in it (or so I'm told).
I have the truck up for sale and its been a few months and I've been looking around for a new truck and I found a 79 bronco with a 351M in it for $450.

If my truck doesn't sell shortly I've been thinking of buying the 79' and swapping the whole drive train (engine, trans, t-case, maybe rear axle) into my 96. Besides rewiring most of the truck what kind of major issues will I come across i.e. motor mounts differ.

96' Specs: 351W (tow package w/ oil cooler), e40d trans, BW 1356 t-case. Dana 44 TTB (4.10 gears), Ford 8.8 (4.10 gears), 33x12.50x15 tires.

79' specs: 351M, c6 trans, np205 t-case, Solid Dana 44 front, Ford 9 rear. Stock everything.

Since I can really only afford to have one truck (and I'd rather have the 79) I figure I'll just make the most of both.

 

why?
you will be trading the reliability and fuel mileage of the fuel injection and overdrive trans for a carb, and C-6
if you really would rather have the 79, put the 79 body on the 96 frame with the D-44 SAS swap, and have the best of both worlds.

 

I drive the truck maybe once a week so fuel economy isnt my biggest priority for the truck

 

Just burn the '96 and get it over with. The drivetrain stuff is arguably "better", but the 351m is nearly hopeless, and is a pure pooch in stock form. Why would you ruin a '96 that way?

 

Same question. Why ruin a '96 that way?

 

I just like the old school Bronco and the big block but if I can find a friends house to rebuild the 351w then that's what I'm going to do.

 

"Big Block"? The 351m might have a tall deck, but it is pathetic in stock form for power. 132-137 hp vs. 205; 242-257 torque vs. 328? (vs. a '96 EFI 351w)

I'd rather have the 300 six than a stock 351m.

Engine_Specifications

 

agreed a stock 351 M is not very good at anything except sucking the gas tank dry.

but with some work they are good engines.

 

That would be said with the emphasis on "some", as in "That's some project you have there..."

Crank, pistons, cam & springs, intake, carb--childs play.....

 

nope. egr delete, carb, intake, open up the exhaust and reset the timing.
with these minor modifications, my 79 went from 11 mpg to 16, and went from a gutless pig to being able to smoke the tires at traffic lights with a C-6 trans.

 

I don't think it'd be worth the effort to even try. Sure it'd be unique but as mentioned, you'd have no real power in stock form and it gets horrible MPG. Why not carb the 351 if you want an old school feel. Tho being a 96 almost everything runs on the computer....which would hate the carb

 

I thought I saw a guy here who cammed his 351m along with what you mention and got some decent power. Can't find it, must be dreaming...I think he had a dyno run too....??????

Does yours rev past 3500? My grandfarter had one in a LTDII and it shifted at 3500 at WOT.... It went over 250,000 miles in the careless, abusive hands of my sister then by brother after we took it away from "park by braille, stop on the freeway to check directions.." granpa.

 

I thought the 351m had more power the that. Wow. Well I think I'm just gunna rebuild the Windsor.

I'm aiming for around 400 hp (hopefully) but not looking to spend more $2,000. So far i think I'm going to go with
-mustang H.O. cam
-bore .030 over (stock rebuild kit from summit)
-gt40 or afr185s (or other suggestions welcome)
Truck already has long tube headers, k&n air filter, msd performance plugs and wires, and 4.10 gears

 

Good luck with that amount of money.

 

This is a FAR better idea IMO though $2000 won't cover a proper rebuild and the upgrades, but the kicker is you can tune it all from the drivers seat with a handheld device.