First off, wanted to say hi, Im new here and just had a few questions. Ive got a 95 Bronco with a 351 and E4OD. Im guessing its a W but Im really not sure. Anyway, its got 195,000 miles so she's due to get pulled. One of my buddies is giving me a 302, that I believe is out of a Mustang. I have to check with him again, but I think he said it just needs put together and the only thing missing is the intake. Will the intake on the 351 swap over? What else will I need to due to make the 302 fit in place of the 351? Thanks in advance.

Len

 

2k4gixxer,

Welcome to FTE adn the Big Bronco forum. We will endeavor to get you the most accurate information we can muster.

Well first off, the Mustang engine will develope lousy torque in the Bronco. The Mustang 302's are inducted and cammed differently because they can afford to develope their torque much higher in the RPM range than the much heavier Bronco and F-series.

If you plan on making the swap from 351 (and yes its a Windsor) to 302 you will need to swap the EEC-IV computer (ECA/main computer behind the passenger side kick panel) to one that will run an engine/transmission combination like the one you will be swapping to. So an ECA for a Bronco or F-series with a 302 and an E4OD.

Now beyond those two hurdles, the intake is not the same. The heads are different and therefore necessitate the 302 intake. This also goes to the truck engine differences. The intake on the truck engines is huge... tall, hence very long runners to help develope that low-end torque. So even if your buddy finds a Mustang-type intake for the engine, while the engine may work, its not gonna do very well in the truck.

Hate to quash your idea on the first post but I'd rather do it now and save you the disappointment when you have difficulties. Out of curiosity, what is it about the current engine that makes you believe it needs replacement?

 

In my opinion, keep the 351. I've got a 93 that has the same milage on it and I just rebuilt it. Had good compression so I just gave it a hone, rings bearings, AL heads and Comp cam. Whole deal cost me about 2500. Now I have more power and better fuel milage. You could do it a lot cheaper, do a basic stock bebuild and still have much more torque than the 302 and the gas milage is the same.

 

The motor just feels real weak. I just feel like there is no power at all. I also just want to refresh it to keep it running. Thanks for the info on that stuff. The reasoning for doing the swap is 1. The motor was free, cant complain there. and 2. It would allow me to build it and get it ready to stuff in the truck with minimal down time. (I rely on the truck daily) Im supposed to go pick the motor up this weekend, Im going to get more info on it to see what if anything has been done to it. Supposedly it had already been started on being converted to a truck motor. Ill post up more info when I get it. Thanks for the info so far.

 

Not one to tell anyone how to handle their own vehicle but a good tune-up and a check for any fault codes may shed some light as to why the engine is not developing the power you feel should be there. Seems like a lot of time and expense to pull a larger engine in favor of a smaller one when the issue is power. Just my $0.02

Is there a lot of oil in the air cleaner box UNDER the filter?

 

No oil at all under the filter. Ive thought about just trying the tune-up route too. As far as building the 302, like I said the motor was free. Its more of a project and figured what the hell, slap it in the truck when its done.

 

Ok, Ive been kicking this around and after hearing everyone comments/suggestions, I think I may just rebuild the 351. Sounds like it would be more cost effective than getting all the new parts for a 302 to make it work in the Bronco. Any mods I should do in the process or is a simple rebuild good enough.

 

As for mods... it depends what you want. The 5.8 responds to all the same mods that the 5.0's do. Its all a matter of what you want out of it, and how much you want to spend. Heads, intake,cam, and headers will wake it up BIG TIME, but you need to be carfull not to lose the low end. A mild cam, cleanup on the heads ex ports and a valve job, a set of headers, and a good ypipe, and exoust will give you a whole new truck. If there is room in the budjet, and intake will be a nice addition also.

 

OK before I start drooling over new parts. Im on a little bit of a budget so what are some the least expensive mods to wake it up?

 

Good set of headers, cam. You should be mass air and roller cam so you have much more available to you than alot of us cam wise. Good valve job or a set of GT40 iron heads off e-bay. That would wake that thing up nice.

 

What fishin machine said... anything to help her breathe better especially down in the 1500-2500 rpm range. Just make sure to keep the mods balanced between the induction and the exhaust so one side isn't free as a bird and the other choking it.

 

Just make sure you stay away from things like the TORNADO, throttle body spacers and the 39.99 super charger.

 

give it a good tune up, bump the timing to 12-13* btdc with spout connector removed. look into some Headers, Bassani Y pipe with hi flow cats and get the exhaust redone from the cat back with 3" and a magnaflow or flowmaster muffler. just this alone will give you noticable gains.

i had a 302 in my bronco and swaped it out for a 351w and was the best upgrade i had ever done. so i think you are heading in the right direction. if you wish find a short block at a wrecking yard and start building that then when the time comes just swap it right over. and would allow you to stay with in a budget. we can help you on part selections that will run good and not cost alot as well so dont be afraid to ask.

late

 

Well good news. I got a hold of a 351 donor so I can take my time on the rebuild and and still stay with the 351. Thanks for all the suggestions, Im sure Ill be asking a ton more questions through this process.