I have been driving by this Bronco for sale for about two months, finally thought I would call. It is a 1990 XLT and needs a transmission. He thinks there is a 302 in it. Thats all I really know untill I look at it tomorrow evening. Any advice on what to look for would be helpful. If it has lots of miles and I decide to rebuild the engine and trans, I could use an idea of what it would cost. Lastly, are there any Broncos that can get up to 20mpg? Oh yea, and I think I can get it for about $500.

THanks for everything in advance.
Frank

 

Check the RED LINK in my signature for common questions, issues, problems with the fullsize Bronco.

In addition, aging 302's and 351's are prone to excessive blow-by through the crankcase. When you look at the truck lift the air filter up and check UNDER it in the bottom of the airbox. A lot of motor oil or a badly saturated breather filter down there is indicative of a larger problem namely, loss of oil control through the rings and seals. If it has electronic 4WD, you will want to find a way to check it to see if it engages however, if the tranny has issues it may be difficult.

If you are sure about that pricetag and you aren't afraid of some grease under your fingernails, it may well be worth it. Consider what a fullsize 4WD would cost you brand new these days! Keep in mind that a remanufactured E4OD (the automatic transmission that is most likely in it) runs between $2300 and $3000 right now.

 

Thank you for the reply greystreak92, I will look closely.

Here is an ad I located on eBay advertising a 1996 302 w/E40D; THIS IS A 1996 FORD 302 WITH A E40D TRANSMISSION AND ELECTRIC TRANSFER CASE. IT CAME OUT OF 96 BRONCO THAT I HAVE OWNED SINCE 1997. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT AND HAS ABOUT 70 K ON ALL OF IT.

This could be just the right combo I need IF there is not a problem getting a 1996 engine/trans into a 1990. What can you tell me about the fit? I electronic transfer common and how do I identify it on the vehicle (basic question I know). I would also like to know if anyone gets up to 20mpg on hwy on a good running 302 Bronco.

Frank

 

I've never gotten anything better than about 17-18 mpg and that was downhill with a good tailwind.

The E4OD out of a 96 should swap right in to the 1990 and it will have the post-1993 factory upgrades which is a good thing.

The 302 is another story. In 1996 Ford changed the computer system from their EEC-IV system to the OBD-II system. This added some benefits like mass-air fuel injection (true sequential port injection) and a better monitoring of engine emissions. The drawback is that in order to run the OBD-II system in the 1990 model, you will have to swap the entire computer and wiring harness for the engine. Not to worry though, if you do acquire the 96 302/E4OD setup the longblock will swap into the 1990 and still work with the original wiring harness and computer. It just won't have the things I mentioned with the OBD-II system. If you can acquire the engine wiring harness AND the computer along with the engine, you could swap the entire thing into your 1990 and have the added benefits of the OBD-II system.

The Borg-Warner 1356 tranfser case was available both as electronic shift AND manual. The difference of course would be if the truck has a shift lever on the floor for the T-case or not. If not, then it wil have two buttons on the dashboard for 4WD and 4LO (electronic shift).

 

The owner of the tranny/motor combo doesn't know what he has.

A 1996 302 would have been mass air from the factory. Mass air was never offered with the E4OD. So the guy doesn't know what he's doing. If he just stuck the two together, they have never run like that, and you won't be able to get them to without a lot of effort.

Secondly, if you're going to drop a mass air/OBD-II motor into your Bronco, be prepared to spend a lot of time re-wiring it.

 

Um, beg to differ with you on this one andym, the E4OD was still part of the standard equipment package on the Bronco and F-series through the 1996 model year. The mass air was part and parcel to the OBD-II system for monitoring and fuel metering purposes. I'm curious as to what automatic transmission IS in California 95's and all 96's if its NOT an E4OD.

 

The 4R70W was. In fact, show me a mass air truck with an E4OD. I did not learn this until a few weeks ago myself, but several reputable members here who REALLY know 302s and mass air have repeatedly said this is the case.

I don't think the 351 was ever set up with mass air, so you'll see 351s with E4ODs from the factory right up until '96.

 

Thanks for the input all, may save me from a financial burdon that my CFO (wife) would not put up with. I am a little concerned about the eBay deal. I am not in the position to do a lot of mechanical work right now. I would have had a shop swap the engine and trans for me but if I can't be sure what I have I may hold off. I will still look at the Bronco tonight. Next year I will have a new 600+sq ft. garage and may be able to take on a project like this.