351w upgrade questions
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3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2022
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351w upgrade questions
I have a 71 Bronco, dead 302, c4, dana 20. I have recently acquired a 1990 full size Bronco with a 351 Windsor EFI, e4od tranny, etc all stock. My intention is to swap the 351w into my 1971. Being all is in place with the 1990, is it a relatively easy swap aside from changing my oil pan as i have read is needed from other forums. I had originally hoped i could pull entire drivetrain, but now understand the e40d is quite a beast and would require substantial modifications to cross members and drive shafts. I really would like an OD gear in my transmission, but for time being can settle with existing C4 until a later time. Thank you for all advice, guidance and suggestions.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Yes a 351 will bolt right in where a 302 was but you will need a different flexplate as the imbalance weight is different between these motors. For light duty uses an AOD will bolt up behind the 351 and give you that OD ratio, a salvaged unit will need some common upgrades and a shift kit but with that done they stand up pretty well even with a fairly healthy 351 driving it. A '90 5.8 is smothered pretty badly in stock form but it's easy enough to uncork with a cam upgrade and better heads, however the motor will run perfectly as it is with a carb mounted on it so upgrades can be left for sometime down the road if you like.
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3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2022
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Yes a 351 will bolt right in where a 302 was but you will need a different flexplate as the imbalance weight is different between these motors. For light duty uses an AOD will bolt up behind the 351 and give you that OD ratio, a salvaged unit will need some common upgrades and a shift kit but with that done they stand up pretty well even with a fairly healthy 351 driving it. A '90 5.8 is smothered pretty badly in stock form but it's easy enough to uncork with a cam upgrade and better heads, however the motor will run perfectly as it is with a carb mounted on it so upgrades can be left for sometime down the road if you like.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Oh in that case you do have a good donor to work with as the powertrain electical is all but stand alone... it doesn't integrate with any other system except to feed signals to the gauges. If at all possible do a test fit with with the E4OD, the one PCM controls both engine and trans so it's a pretty tidy solution, if you use the motor without the trans a bunch of codes will be set on the existing computer. You could substitute a computer for a non electronically controlled auto or manual trans to get around this.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
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From: Roseville, MN
I don't know the answer, but I have a question about hood clearance. I think a 351 is a tight fit under an early Bronco hood unless you have a body lift. And I think the factory EFI makes it a bit taller. Hopefully someone else will know how big of a challenge that will be.
And something that I think I might have the answer to is I think you'll have trouble fitting the '90 accessory drive into the '71 engine compartment. I put a serpentine system from a later F-series 302 (not sure of the year) in my '71 and did not have room for a fan between the water pump and radiator. There was less than an inch. I ended up using two small electric fans in opposite diagonal corners. That did not work out well for me and I ended up scrounging an early Bronco V-belt system.
My method might have worked with better fans, or better shrouding. And I know that people fit Explorer 302s in pretty easily (but that might not help you with a 351). Anyway. That will be something to keep an eye on.
And something that I think I might have the answer to is I think you'll have trouble fitting the '90 accessory drive into the '71 engine compartment. I put a serpentine system from a later F-series 302 (not sure of the year) in my '71 and did not have room for a fan between the water pump and radiator. There was less than an inch. I ended up using two small electric fans in opposite diagonal corners. That did not work out well for me and I ended up scrounging an early Bronco V-belt system.
My method might have worked with better fans, or better shrouding. And I know that people fit Explorer 302s in pretty easily (but that might not help you with a 351). Anyway. That will be something to keep an eye on.
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