1978 bronco engine swap

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Dec 24, 2004 | 03:48 PM

cobra-bronco

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From: Idaho

1978 bronco engine swap

This is my first time here as a new member. I am desperatly search for some answers regarding swapping out engines in my 1978 Bronco. A little history about the bronco first. The original engine, which I am not sure, if it was a 351 W or a 400 was swapped out for a 302, not my idea, I purchased the bronco with the 302 already in it. Anyway I have a 4V 351 Cleveland I recently purchased that I want to swap into the bronco and have desperately been trying to find any information on how to do the swap. I have searched the internet and have not had any luck at all. Is there any one in this forum that knows anything about the swap or where I can get that kind of information. I would truly appreciate any replies. Perhaps there is someone out there that has made such a swap. Please help me if you can.
Thank you,
cobra-bronco

Dec 24, 2004 | 06:01 PM

osucharger

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First off, it's not as bad as it seems just time consuming. The 351C will fit your 302's small transmission and motor mounts and will drop right in to where your 302 sits. You may have a little trouble hooking up your kickdown (if it's an automatic) due to increased motor deck height but if so, lokar makes custom kickdown cables (found at jegs.com). One last hump will be exhaust. Those big 4bbl exhaust ports will take their own special headers. If you have stockers from the car it came in great! If not, call some junkyards or go the tube header route. I suggest kookscustomheaders.com. They'll make you whatever you want. I saw a dude weld 2 chevy 350's together and they made him V16 headers for it. One last thing would be oil. 351C and 351M/400M have the same oil pan design. Milodon has a sweet pan and pickup at jegs.com for your bronco. 351C is kind of a hybrid between the 302 as it takes small block motor mounts/tranny design but takes the 351M's innards and pan design.
Have fun with it! I want a late 70's full size SO bad. I have my 351C up for sale so I can get one.
Luke--

Dec 24, 2004 | 06:26 PM

cobra-bronco

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From: Idaho

Thanks for the reply osucharger. The bronco now has a standard transmission in it. Unfortunately when I got the engine it didn't include the following: Alternator/brackets, powersteering/brackets, exhaust manifolds or headers, starter, flywheel, or the belts. So I have to find these items for the engine also. I would really like to go headers but if I have problems with that I will do whatever it takes to get the bronco up and running. I am not a very good mechanic myself but I have located a shop that is willing to take on the project but has questions about the oil pan fitting by the frame crossmember and if it does is there enough clearance that with the engine torque it will not be hitting. Thanks again for the information it is very helpful. The engine originally came out of an AC Cobra replica and the seller kept all the above items to put on another 351 engine he put in the Cobra. He figured when he sold it on eBay he could get more money by splitting the car and the engine up. He said he has $7000.00 into the engine.
cobra-bronco

Dec 25, 2004 | 01:59 AM

osucharger

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Manual tranny, good...no worries about the kickdown then. Make sure that 351C has a throwout bearing and a flywheel (not a flexplate). You may need a mini-starter if you go headers (and that manual is gonna have a special mini-starter if it's got 164 teeth) and make sure to tell them that it's a manual tranny. I have bracketry (and even A/C bracketry!!!) for that motor if you want to offer me a price on it. It's redone and painted Orig. Equip. Think I paid 100$ for it. Whatever you think is reasonable. I think I have a powersteering pump and alternator for you, too. I know I do actually. I had a pump rebuilt for my old project. Questions about the oil pan fitting...If you can find an original equipment pan for your motor you should be okay. Jegs and Summit have low profile deep sumps and whatnot. They'll still work, just be a lil' more tweaked to fit in there. Good luck man! I'm tellin' ya, I don't have any more fun than when i'm turnin' a wrench (or hanging with the girlfriend or ridin' the 4wheeler or... you get the pic).

Luke--