78 Bronco
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,542
Likes: 76
From: Manhattan, KS
78 Bronco
I'm not new to FTE, but I am new to the big bronco forum. I will probably be hanging around here for helpful hints etc. I just bought a 78 Bronco project truck. The body is rough and it needs an engine (351m or 400) I plan to use it mostly for off road stuff but not real hard core. I look forward to helpful hints from all of you experts.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
Welcome to the Big Bronco Forum. Good luck with the new "family member". Personal opinion, you have one of the strongest and most solid Broncos ever built in that 78... all the best components from its smaller predicessor AND its fullsize.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 460
Likes: 1
From: Edmonton, Alberta
If you aren't going to be "real hard core" stick to the 351 and use the money you save on gas to buy a nice set o' tires....
My 79 Bronco with the 400 is a real pig. I save up all week to fill it up on the weekend...averages lately about 7 mpg. Then again, gotta rebuild that carb still!
My 79 Bronco with the 400 is a real pig. I save up all week to fill it up on the weekend...averages lately about 7 mpg. Then again, gotta rebuild that carb still!
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
My roomate has a 78. also we have a 79 that were going to turn into trailer. So we are going to part out a little into 78, and i guess sell. But it will be nice to have the matching trailer for the 78.
Oh yeah, the 78 does not have ac(no blower) and the 79 does, how much of a pain is it to get the 78 converted over to stock ac? I'm thinking were going to have to cut some of the firewall. AQnyone else tried this?
Oh yeah, the 78 does not have ac(no blower) and the 79 does, how much of a pain is it to get the 78 converted over to stock ac? I'm thinking were going to have to cut some of the firewall. AQnyone else tried this?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by dwoodler
If you aren't going to be "real hard core" stick to the 351 and use the money you save on gas to buy a nice set o' tires....
My 79 Bronco with the 400 is a real pig. I save up all week to fill it up on the weekend...averages lately about 7 mpg. Then again, gotta rebuild that carb still!
My 79 Bronco with the 400 is a real pig. I save up all week to fill it up on the weekend...averages lately about 7 mpg. Then again, gotta rebuild that carb still!
I have a 79 Bronco with 400 if you want to take a look, check out my gallery.
The 78 79 Bronco are the best(IMO), a nice engine(400), strong transmission(C6), great transfercase(NP205), solid axle D44(30splines) front and 9" rear(31 splines). The 400s can easilly be modified to get more power, throw on some headers and you'll notice a difference.
If you have any questions just ask, we(or I) would be glad to help you out.
Also, if you wanted you could put a 460 up front with new motor mounts and that's it.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,542
Likes: 76
From: Manhattan, KS
Thanks for the input. You have a nice looking truck, MBBFORD. I have a 460 in my '54 F250 and it is a decent motor. I thought I would stick with the 335 series for ease of the swap. How much weight difference is there between the 351/400 and a 429/460?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Well, I can't say for sure, but it's a good bit.
But a 400 would work for you for sure, if you would be interested in how to get easy and fairly cheap power just ask, but a stock 400 would work too.
But a 400 would work for you for sure, if you would be interested in how to get easy and fairly cheap power just ask, but a stock 400 would work too.
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,542
Likes: 76
From: Manhattan, KS
I would probably try to get by with something stock initially until I can get some of the rough body parts repaired, and look at redoing the engine with upgrades later on. I want to drive and play with this thing and not have it tied up with lots of upgrades all at once. I guess I'm not the patient sort and can't wait to have my fun.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Duncan,OK
I've got a good 400 it's been setting in the garage floor about 6 years. It ran good when I pulled it but wouldn't hurt to go thru it. I also have the one in my 79 Bronco that will coming as soon as I get the 300 built. It runs very good doesn't use any oil it does how ever like the gas 10-11 mpg.
Pat
Pat
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
You can get 15MPG out of a 400 after a nice rebuild(not stock, but not drag stip either), and if you take it easy it's possible. I used to get 12 when I would take it easy with a stock and fairly tired 400. Now with almost 37" tires, and 3.50 gears, and the only time I use it is to go play in the mud, I don't want to check the mileage.
Thread Starter
|
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,542
Likes: 76
From: Manhattan, KS
Hooker Bob, too bad Duncan is so far from Manhattan, KS. I'd be interested in one of the 400's if they were reasonable(actually I'm trying to get by on the cheap). It looks like I'm in NE Kansas and your in SC Oklahoma.
MBBFord, thanks for the input on the 400. This won't be a regular driver, but it still doesn't hurt to be on the top side of 10 mpg when on the road.
MBBFord, thanks for the input on the 400. This won't be a regular driver, but it still doesn't hurt to be on the top side of 10 mpg when on the road.