Which Engine
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From: Cloverdale, BC, Canada
Which Engine
I have a 1985 Bronco 2 that came with a 2.8L V6. I need a new engine for it but I don't know if I should go with a 2.8L or a 2.9L V6. Could you guys(or gals) give me some pros and cons of both choices and also your opinion on what you would do. Thanks for any help.
Nic
Nic
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From: MARYLAND
if i had a 4.0L available and all the parts to go with it i'd do that..but then you have a lot of trouble shooting in the end to get it running correctly if you aren't lucky on the first try. same as a 302. If you choose the 2.9L then you have to have all the parts for that also..as the the 2.8L parts like the intake, heads, timing chain cover, exhaust manifold will not work on the 2.9L block. and if using a 2.9L you have to install a fuel pump in the gas tank, as i'm sure is the same with a 4.0L or 5.0L. So it depends on how much of a headache you are looking for..amount of time, mechanical ability, good friends to help, how much $$ you want to spend and how quickly you want the vehicle. So if it were me and it was just used for general use and i wasnt looking for more power or performance..i'd go with just replacing what i have. 
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From: Cloverdale, BC, Canada
I can get a 2.9L with everything but the fuel pump from one of my brothers friends or I could find a used 2.8L somewhere else. Time isnt really a problem since I dont get my license until March. I can get lots of help putting it in. but I was woundering about economy, power, problems, etc... for both the engines. Thanks
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Originally Posted by Help I M Stuck
i had a 85 with the 2.8L in it and i now have a 86 with the 2.9L in it. The 2.9L seems like it runs smoother and has more power. Or it might just be that i like the fuel injection. 
The 4.0L had 155 HP @ 4200 RPM; it had 220 ft-lbs. of torque @ 2400 RPM.
Obviously, the 4.0L had the other two beaten in the power figures. It goes with the old saws: "Bigger is better" and "There is no replacement for displacement."
Nevertheless, changing from a carbureted 2.8 to either the 2.9 or 4.0 will require a LOT of time, effort, skill, and money. The simpler of the two choices, as they posted, would be to go to the 2.9. However, if you NEED more power and are willing to work that hard at obtaining it, it would be just as well to go ahead and go with the 4.0L.
Be that as it may, would you not be able to rebuild and modify the 2.8L cheaper and easier and with less expense than to convert the truck to an EFI engine or any displacement?
Several places offer performance parts for the 2.8L engines. It won't be a stump-puller, it won't be a Winston Cup runner, it won't be an Indy engine--still, it would be better than bone-stock.
Just be glad you don't have the 2.3L!!!!!!!!!!
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From: Bixby, OK
I like the EFI on my 2.9L and get the 58mm TB, make's a little more power.. I also like having more power so the 4.0 would be a good swap, but for the money, I don't think it would be worth it, I would go with a 5.0 if I had the money. If you know a guy that has the 2.9 go for it, sometimes you feel better to know where something came from. Go with gut instinct.
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From: Cloverdale, BC, Canada
Thanks for all the help. I think that I will probably go with the 2.9L but, I was talking to a friend of my dads the other day and he told be that a 351 would just barely be able to fit into the rangers and bronco 2s but you had to trim the firewall a bit and move the battery to a box. That could get a little pricy for all of the replacement driveshafts I would need. Thanks again for all the help.
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From: Bixby, OK
Yep, I don't know which is cheaper so in case they wanted cheaper, they could have more than one source.. has anybody done the 302 swap? I was just wondering what they've done and how much they've spent on it.