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Old Nov 29, 2003 | 09:24 PM
  #1  
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Unhappy Engine Replacement

Had my Bronco for 5 weeks now. Gave it a full tune last weekend. This weekend, had to do a compression check 'cause something was wrong. Compression great all the way to number 8! I could not believe it. Registered ZERO for all of the 10 times I checked it (even hit ZERO when I squirted a little oil in). So number 8 has no compression, explains all the oil in the air filter I guess and the funky black plug I pulled from #8.

So, do I replace the engine? From reading around I know a lot of you have. I want a little advice on:
- how much it "should" cost (Mechanic doing all the work)
- what kind of problems might I expect to encounter.

This engine was at 105,000 miles. It is a 1991 XLT and the body is in good shape. Is it worth it even?

Thanks for the help.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2003 | 12:15 AM
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I just put a engine in mine was a complete job from salvage yard.
It has kind of low oil pressure put runs good and does not smoke so i hope to get a few years out of it.
Anyway on mechanic doing it i checked around and the wanted for doing a new long block and pulling all my stuff off to use on it was 1300.00 then 1000.00 for the engine... gets expensive quick.
Kind of up to you on what you want to do. Is bronco in good enough shape where it warrents a new motor?
I hope some other people respond to give you more advice.

89 Bronco 302
 
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Old Nov 30, 2003 | 02:13 AM
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i would swap it out myself, and put a carb'd engine back in. i am from KY though, no emissions laws. all you need for a carb is fuel and a 12 volt pwer source for the coil.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2003 | 02:24 AM
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Why not have it rebuilt? It would be cheaper.

As for switching to a carb'd engine, it can be a big hastle and not cost effective at all if you have the E4OD tranny.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2003 | 05:10 PM
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I just dropped in a 95 5.8 efi motor into my 88 bronco in place of the tired 302. I picked up the motor for $800 complete from oil pan to upper intake. it didnt come with an alternator or powersteering pump but i used the one from the 302 and it fit great. the 351 swap was the best bang for the buck in my .02 cents. if you go this route find a motor that is a 93 or earlier. best of luck to you check out this thread of someone other then me doing this very swap. there are lots of pictures.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forum/sh...?threadid=6789

later
 
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Old Nov 30, 2003 | 06:42 PM
  #6  
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From: NJ ... the garbage state
yea, you shoudl be able to have a shop pull the motor and put in a reman for under/around 2000 dollars i would imagine. As long as you get someone who knows what they are doing, there shouldnt be any major problems. Things to consider would be that a small in town place might be a little cheaper, if you know they are good, or a bigger possibly nationwide chain might offer a decent waruntee with service whereever it may fail you. A junkyard engine should be able to be had for the 200-600 dollar range. IF you were anywhere near jersey i would do the swap for ya for a good deal. Had so many engines in and out of my own.
 
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Old Dec 1, 2003 | 12:53 AM
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Thanks for the advice. I am waiting for Monday so I can start getting some price ranges. I live in Portland, OR. Anyone know of a trustworthy operation/person out here to do an engine swap?

I am currently thinking it will be worth the effort to price rebuilding this engine -vs- sticking in a remanufactured.

While it is out I guess I will be getting headers also, since one (passenger side) of the exhaust manifolds is cracked.

Under $2,000 sure would be nice...
 
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Old Dec 1, 2003 | 09:18 AM
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Hey beaver did you check out that thread from the other forum. that guy lives in portland. Here is another site that offers a rebuilt motor for a good price and a 7yr/70,000 mile warranty.

http://www.ford-motors-engines.com/index.html

im in central oregon, so not sure about shops up there but then again i did this swap in my driveway, took about 2 weekends but that was taking my time and having other duties to take care of.

later
 
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Old Dec 2, 2003 | 12:14 AM
  #9  
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Thumbs up

Well, it is going under the knife as we speak. I found a shop here in Portland Oregon that is going to pull my 302, redo my 302 with a full new parts remanufacture kit, machine surfaces and then put it all back in for $1,590. It carries a 3 yr. unlimited mile warranty and the shop will back the labor. I am feeling pretty good about it.
Even looked the shop up under the BBB, they have one complaint registered. Say it will be ready to roll in a about a week.

Any thoughts?
 
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Old Dec 2, 2003 | 12:23 AM
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Sounds good, are you keeping it stock or are you going to hop it up a little?
 
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Old Dec 2, 2003 | 12:28 AM
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Actually a little quick help would not hurt. The exhaust manifold is cracked and am looking to put on some headers. I know a lot of people have talked about different headers to use. Looking around is kind of tough, a lot of options and a lot of price variance.

The only thing I am looking to do is add the headers. I want them to be pretty stock and emissions legal. Any advice???

Any other cheap beef up mods I could do when it is out?
 
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Old Dec 2, 2003 | 01:11 AM
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Bassani headers- I personally do not have any experience with these headers, but I have heard nothing but good things about them from the guys on this board.

Another company is Banks. Their stuff is top notch, as is their price. My old man has had their headers and cat back system on his 99 F-250 V-10 since it was new and their has not been any problems at all. I can't tell ya about the power increase because he installed a Paxton supercharger at the same time Needless to say it is fast!
 
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Old Dec 2, 2003 | 10:12 AM
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gibson, jba, edelbrock , all make good headers. remember you get what you pay for . i did the cheap summit headers and wasnt to happy with them but they were cheap. I would have the shop throw in a mild cam. contact compcams, they will set you up with a good one that wont freak out the computer in your truck . it would run ya about $100 maybe less or a tad more but well worth it especially with a set of headers. bassinis are nice but cost alot . truckperformance.com is a good site for headers. pretty much all of them these days are street legal and are a stock replacement. 1500 for your motor is a good price good luck and keep us posted. cam and headers would be a great first mod.

late
 
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Old Dec 2, 2003 | 06:51 PM
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Anyone have experince with

http://www.powerpro2000.com/index.htm

I am looking for a reuilt engine for my Bronco. I am going to do the swap, but I don't have time to rebuild it. Power Pro looks to have a good warranty. Anyone know of another place to buy a rebuilt engine that they have had good luck with? Thanks.
 
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Old Dec 2, 2003 | 08:01 PM
  #15  
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i also have a problem similar to this i got a 1987 bronco 302 v8 electronic fuel injection i think it all it needs is a fresh rebuild but i dont know where to go what all do you get in a rebuild kit can someone point me in a direction?
 
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