Engine Swap
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2010
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Engine Swap
I have a 90 Bronco with 145,000+ miles on it and it is starting to show its age. I am thinking about doing a engine swap. It has a 5.8L 351W in it right now and I am thinking about puting the same back in it, but I am also thinking about converting to diesel motor (not sure which one). Has anyone done this and if so how did it work out.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 430
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From: Florida
There was one running around down here a number of years ago. Saw it at a mudhole down here (C & R Motorsports Park) and at a truck show. 96 Eddie Bauer Bronco with a Powerstroke diesel in it. The owner said he liked it, but wouldn't do it again. Parted out a wrecked 1996 F-250 Powerstroke. Of course you need everything out of it, computer, harness and ALL hardware, sensors ect.....a lift to pull the body off the Bronco and the truck. He said the engine will come out the top, but not an easy job. He said the axles aren't up to torque of the diesel either or the weight on the front end and was planning a straight axle swap.
Personally, I liked it. Would I do it IF I had a fat wallet????? As clean as it was.......probably not!!
Personally, I liked it. Would I do it IF I had a fat wallet????? As clean as it was.......probably not!!
The Southernmost Mod
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6,902
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From: Caracas, Venezuela
With a FAT wallet I would have the drivetrain of the new F-250 6.2 in my truck in no time, probably just easier to shorten the F-250 chassis, change the cardons and swap cabs. A little dreaming isn't too bad I guess... If you want a diesel you would be better off with a Cummins 4BT.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Longview, TX
A very experienced Ford shop foreman told me the later E4OD transmission was great with gas engine but did not withstand diesel torque well.
Try for 94+ 5.8 because they have roller cam. Mine has 197K and uses no oil. Best engine ever in almost 60 years driving.
Try for 94+ 5.8 because they have roller cam. Mine has 197K and uses no oil. Best engine ever in almost 60 years driving.
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Junior User
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Doesn't the nuge just have an offroad built 351? If 400HP and reliability is good enough for the Nuge, its good enough for me. 
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Posting Guru
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From: Longview, TX
I met a guy last month who went to high school with him, Henry Ford High School, in Detroit. Nuge was one of the world's best archers in high school and would lean out his upper window and shoot blunt arrows between the legs of pedestrians. He was not on drugs, just his personality. The guy I met has 17 guitars and used to jam with Nuge occasionally when growing up.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2010
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thanks for all the input.. after seeing this and talking to some other people im just going to put another 351 in it and call it a day. i would like to one day do the swap to a diesel but my wallet and wife wont let spend that kinda money.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2013
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Thats kinda how I feel, I mean... these things will NEVER be 1/4 mile cars and I dont really see myself towing anything of vast weight with it... but 350-400 HP is MORE than enough for what I would be doing off road. And I think very dooable on the 5.8's with a high factor of reliability.
-jim
-jim
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 559
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From: In Hastings Delton area
I had a 96 Bronco with a 5.8 .The 95 and 96 Broncos and the F150s had special heads and different cam.they were rated 240 Hp about 30 more than the earlier models plus the air intake was different.A 95 95 engine would be the way I'd go plus these motors got better gas milage .Used to run 18 to 19 on the highway at 70 to 75 with mine