My dad has a Bronco 2 2.9L with a shot motor. This Bronco in question was actually my first vehicle when I turned 16 and has stayed in the family since then for about 14 years now. We always had terrible luck with the 2.9L, decided they are garbage and confirmed it by reading on the internet. My grandpa put a new longblock in it and drove it for about 7 years but we suspect he never changed the oil. Grandpa died, so my dad got it back and had someone rebuild it, but it ran worse after the rebuild.

I am asking this on behalf of my dad. He wants to know what years/type of motor would be the easiest/most reliable swap for this bronco. He said it does not matter if it is a 4 cylinder or v6 and would prefer carbed if possible because he thinks swapping to another fuel injected motor would probably be harder. Needs to be pretty low cost swap as he doesnt have or want to spend a ton of money on a 1500 dollar bronco. He just wants a small 4x4 to get around the woods in, and it is good for that. Any ideas? He is pretty mechanically inclined but the easier of a swap it is the better it would be for him since he has a bad back and can only work in spurts.

Did they make a 3.0 carb motor? Anyways, any help would be appreciated.

 

Call your local parts yards to see if they have any non efi 2.3 I4 engines

in stock.

 

Staying with EFI and swapping a 4.0 from a ranger or explorer would be possibly the simplest way, a 302 would be the most satisfying ( but borderline dangerous with B2's handling characteristics)

Another way to go and go carbed is to swap in a 2.8 V-6 from a older 83-85 Ranger or B2...........They drop right in anywhere a 2.9 was and though they have slightly less hp, don't have the headgasket/cracked heads and oiling problems the 2.9 does, and they are still around in salvage yards, plus a few performance goodies are still available for the 2.8.........the 2.9?....not so much.

There are NO parts available to carb a 3.0.........strictly a EFI generation motor that has a unique bolt pattern that makes swapping difficult.

 

I agree with old93junk swapping to a 2.8 would be the way to go. It's carbed and will bolt right in. I did some mods on mine and its very reliable and ez to work on and still parts around as this was a popular motor. some mods to consider: weber carb and duraspark ignition.
Give your dad a hand with the swap his bad back would thank you and I'm sure he would be appreciative of the help.

 

Thanks for the help guys. I wish I could help him but I live about 4000 miles away! If you swapped a 4.0 would you have to take the computer/wiring harness from the donor?

 

yes the computer and wiring. Whats good about swapping in the 4.0 is that the fuel system is already set up for fuel injection . . .not to mention the extra ponies .
Is it an auto or a stick?
If its a an auto then it's probably an A4LD and the 4.0 will destroy that POS.
I went thru 2 A4LD's before i put a 5 speed in my BII. So many problems with that trans I wouldn't even mess with it and just have your dad get a manual trans for it . . .soooo much more fun to drive

 

A 4.0 is a plug and play. Go with a M5OD to back it up. Decent mileage and plenty of power. Mine is a DD with a 4" lift and I still get 16+ mpg