what should i do?
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New User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: long island
what should i do?
i Have a 1990 Eb w/ a 302.i bought the thing for 700 bucks.it has 33"tires on it the rest is stock.Last week the fuel pump blew on me.so i bought it to a shop to get done.Whilke it was on his lift he realized that the frame was cracked just behind the rear body mount on the drivers side.Another problem i have is that the tranny is blown it will not come out of first but i still have reverse and park.Is it worth me keeping this truck and dropping money into it or should i try and find one in better shape.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 436
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
i think you should just find a better one and possibly one with a 351 instead of a 302. I don't think it would be worth the money to fix all of that stuff. Get something where u don't have to put all the money into fixing it but rather putting it into buying extras for it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 39
From: North Dakota
If you were looking for a daily driver then I would not recommend keeping it. If not, then keep it. Work on it slowly when you have time. I am not sure about the frame, I have no experience with them. There is nothing wrong with the 302 , it is a good engine and can be built to provide plenty of power. For $700 I would say that you got a pretty good deal. Although, if you are not too mechanicaly inclined then this truck will put you in the poor house by taking it to shops all the time. Good luck with your new rig! 
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
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From: Gateway to the West
Sounds like an excellent "project" that you can keep in the garage for the next ten years puttering around making into something and using it as an excuse to get out of the house even if it IS only as far as the garage.
But in all seriousness, A daily driver with a cracked frame is asking for more problems down the road. If you have the means and-or the skill, you may be able to repair the frame to be stronger than it was in that region originally. If not, it will become a source of problems for a long time to come.
I'm with kameronth on the engine issue... 351 owners seem to think they only engine that belongs in a Bronco is a 351. I have driven my brother's 95 F-150 with a 351 and its a puppy compared to my 93 Bronco with a 302. 'nuff said.
If the engine is in good shape and the rest of the truck is salvagable, you might consider finding another Bronco of similar vintage and combining the two to come up with a good working truck. At $700, you aren't very far in on expenses considering you have a complete full-size 4WD unit no matter what running condition.
But in all seriousness, A daily driver with a cracked frame is asking for more problems down the road. If you have the means and-or the skill, you may be able to repair the frame to be stronger than it was in that region originally. If not, it will become a source of problems for a long time to come.
I'm with kameronth on the engine issue... 351 owners seem to think they only engine that belongs in a Bronco is a 351. I have driven my brother's 95 F-150 with a 351 and its a puppy compared to my 93 Bronco with a 302. 'nuff said.
If the engine is in good shape and the rest of the truck is salvagable, you might consider finding another Bronco of similar vintage and combining the two to come up with a good working truck. At $700, you aren't very far in on expenses considering you have a complete full-size 4WD unit no matter what running condition.
Last edited by greystreak92; May 10, 2005 at 06:55 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 436
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From: North Carolina
i hope u guys didn't take my post as "Don't get a 302 they suck, get a 351." If you have a choice of a bronco with a 351 and one with a 302, i don't really see why you wouldn't take the 351 but guess its really what the buyer wants for whatever reason. It is a bit obvious that some people here attack 351s because they have a 302 and feel the need to defend it for personal reasons, whatever they may be.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
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From: Gateway to the West
tigerhawk,
Its more often the incessant downplay of the 302 over the 351 that just isn't necessary. Even the lowly 300 I-6 is touted as being such a great, indestructable engine. Ford has produced more 289-302 small block V8's across their entire product line (trucks and cars) than ANY other SB they have ever made. (That alone should tell you something about the power plant's capabilities). So why does it seem that the 351 owners feel the need to make certain that avoiding the 302 is so imperative? The original post mentioned NOTHING about the engine other than to state the size. Had it said "1990 Eb w/ a 351" no comment about opting for a different engine would have ever been made. You don't see the 302 owners saying to DUMP the 351 or the 300. This is the bias I don't understand. Now if I am out of line, someone tell me how.
Its more often the incessant downplay of the 302 over the 351 that just isn't necessary. Even the lowly 300 I-6 is touted as being such a great, indestructable engine. Ford has produced more 289-302 small block V8's across their entire product line (trucks and cars) than ANY other SB they have ever made. (That alone should tell you something about the power plant's capabilities). So why does it seem that the 351 owners feel the need to make certain that avoiding the 302 is so imperative? The original post mentioned NOTHING about the engine other than to state the size. Had it said "1990 Eb w/ a 351" no comment about opting for a different engine would have ever been made. You don't see the 302 owners saying to DUMP the 351 or the 300. This is the bias I don't understand. Now if I am out of line, someone tell me how.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 436
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
I agree on the points of the 302 being downplayed. It does happen all the time and it is not necessary. I personally would never tell someone the 302 is crap, to completely dump it, or constantly downplay it. As I said, I just figure if you have the choice for a 351 over a 302 why not go with the 351. Its just how it is that you never see anyone say, oh man im gonna dump my 351 and get a 302. Instead, they want to dump their 302 for a 351.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 39
From: North Dakota
Well, call me crazy, but if I had the choice I would go with the 302 over the 351. I just think that they are good and dependable. Also, there is and endless amount of aftermarket products for them. The 351's are good engines also, but I don't know them as well as the 302.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,195
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From: San Antonio, Texas
The 2 engines have so much in common that most people have trouble telling them apart, see threads marked witch is it? 302 or 351w.
The only reason that people swap a 351 in place of a 302 cause it can make more power, more cubes. Also, my latest hot rod mag just blew the whole long stroke torque and short stroke hp theory away.
The only reason that people swap a 351 in place of a 302 cause it can make more power, more cubes. Also, my latest hot rod mag just blew the whole long stroke torque and short stroke hp theory away.
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