The 351W H.O. V8 in my 84 Bronco took a turn for the worse this Summer, developing a very loud knock. Turns out that 2 pistons have bent connecting rods, and were hitting against the crankshaft. Aside from some chunks of metal in the oil, all of the rod bearings were shot, worn down and scored. Plus the oil looked like chocolate milk, so some water or coolant is coming in from somewhere.

I'm looking for suggestions on a good brand of short block kit, and what hey might cost. This engine was a NAPA longblock kit put in the Bronco just before I bought her. Only got about 20K miles out of it, so I ain't going back to NAPA for another motor!!!

 

give S&S motor a call they will treat you right. i have used them 19 times and each engine has been perfect and still run awesome. zero problems.

 

here is the website www.rebuilt-auto-car-engines.com

 

How much you willing to spend? I would never get an engine from a place like Napa. I like to build everything stronger than it was originally. I'd take your block to get rebuilt, by a good shop and buy a complete kit for it from edelbrock so you know that all the new parts will work together without conflicting.

PS where you from in Texas i'm from Kaufman

 

whats your budget for this? that longblock above runs 1,200.00 plus shipping.

 

I agree totally with your post. The engine was installed prior to my buying the Bronco, and everyone I've talked to laughed at the NAPA motors. I've been searching around locally for a decent engine, and have found a couple that are built right by friends I know who are mechanics. The price for a complete running motor with some power is around $2000-$2500. The average longblock is around $1000-$1200, short block $400-$600.

Since the current engine block probably is cracked and no good, I don't intend to spend any $ on it. IT's already bored .030" over, and the cylinder walls need honing at least if not boring out to .040". I belive the heads are O.K., but would still have them re-worked if I go with a shortblock kit. Depending on what it costs locally to do the heads, I may scrap them, too.

I live near Palacios in Souheast TX. THanks for the reply!!!

 

buy a ford crate motor 392.

 

yea kem, i was gonna suggest the same. the Ford Racing engines seem to be the best value out there. i want the 351 from them, like 250hp and 325ft/lbs torque

 

I am looking at the crate motors, too. All I've seen so far is about $3000-up from Ford Racing. I really don't want to put a stock motor back in, would like to juice it up a little bit. Thanks for the replies, JSM84

 

Screw the 392. Go 514. Don't be a girly man.

I wanna get that 392 for my truck if I can ever get my head back above water. Or I may just steal the 514 from my mustang. Muahahahah

They have a $1,200 long block for the 302. You may wanna see if they have a 351w like that. But if I was you I'd just save up and get the 392 if ya can. Be prepared to get different intake injectors and exhaust to feed that baby

 

he's carbed so no worries there. Ford sells a 392 short block as well thats under 3k. then you can have find some good heads and do the rest yourself. there are a few other companys around on the web that produce some good motors.

 

i replaced my engine on a 92 Bronco 351 v8 with an engine from a 93 bronco 351 v8 with just 70,000 miles on it. The engine cost me 900 bucks but with labor cost and the changing of all the hoses, belts , oil pan, timing chain and i put a new radiator in it for good measure, i spent almost $2,700 bucks. If you can shop around before you get one. If you can afford a new one, go for it. But look around and i bet u can find a very good used one for cheaper. I have 9000 miles on my new used engine and not one problem.

 

davdogg39, that's a good suggestion, too. I'm checking out a couple of running motors to swap into the Bronco and be done, without having to go thru the trouble of building one up, ordering parts, etc. One is a 302 race motor worth about $2K, the other is a 351W in a 95 Ford Lightning truck. Either of those will take alot more work, but would haul. I can find a ton of longblocks locally for under $1K, but don't have any more faith in those than the NAPA version. Still checking on a JAsper motor ($2K) and a few other sites. The Ford Racing crate motors are a bit too much $$$. So I would say that my budget is somewhere around $1500-$2000 for the whole engine, since I need to save some cash to redo the tranny and axle gears.