I recently blew the motor (302 5.0EFI) in my '87 F150. Ive got another 302 out of a bronco its the same year. I would like to do some mods and clean up dress up to it before I put it into my truck. Does anyone know of any articles or websites that could help me with this project??? this is my first project and I am on a very limited budget.

 

This site has alot of info, search here and in the engine section.

What are your plans for the bronco engine? Rebuild or just drop in? How many miles are on it? What is you're buget? $500, 1k, 2k?

First thing I would do is fix anything that's wrong or that could break later. Replace the oil pump, timing chain, etc and reseal the engine so you don't have any leaks.

A cam is nice but they are a little $$ because they're EFI specific. The speed density computer is going to hold you back at some point.

Rebuilt heads with undercut valves and a multi-angle valve job would be good to.

 

Basically I just wanna clean it up,replace the gaskets and seals,tune it up and dress it up. Im really not too sure exactly what to do. This is my 1st project. I bought the truck off my buddy for a mere 400 bucks. I pounded it through the woods a couple too many times. Got it seriously stuck in the mud and ended up blowing the motor. I can see cradle arm sticking out through the bottom of the oil pan. Now I am getting a free 302 out of a bronco.Ive got about two months to get this truck back on the road (getting license back) but there are a few things that I want to do....make motor look and perform nicely and exhaust(headers and glass packs). then I want to lift the truck and put on a set of sneakers. I am on a very limited budget (girlfriend). So I want to do a fairly decent job for short $.

 

Port the heads... google "porting E7's" and read anything you find.
Definitely put a cam in it. If you can't find a stock 5.0HO roller cam/lifters/pushrods/spider for cheap, then get a flat tappet cam and lifter set. Comp cams 31-255-5, 35-255-5, Crane 444232.
Those 2 things along with a decent exhaust and all people will see when you're commin down the road is teeth!!

 

87 Bronco engine won't take a roller cam...

Before you get too far into it, price a rebuilt engine. Do you know the history of the bronco engine? If you do the heads now, you can swap then to a rebuilt shortblock later but I wouldn't swap the cam, so if the bronco engine isn't likely to last long I would either rebuild it, or wait on the cam.

There are some good cleaners out there; castrol super clean (I think) is one and it's biodegradable. Get a gallon, a spray bottle and a few brushes and clean the outside of the engine up. Then paint it and change the pan, front cover, rear main, valve covers and intake seals / gaskets.

Also while it's out replace the front seal on the trans (auto), you'll have to pull the converter out to do it. If it's a manual consider turning / replacing the flywheel and replacing the clutch.

Since you are limited $$ wise I would concentrate more on maintenance then go fast. If you spend all your money on go fast and it blows up, you're back to where you started.

Also, as far as a lift goes, I would just put some 31's on it (BFG MT's maybe?) and take care of getting it running. Wait till you have the money to put a 6" lift on, some 35's and money to regear it with 4.56's or 4.88's. If you have an open rear, consider a drop in locker, they're only about $300 and with a good set of mud tires and chosing your lines you should be able to go anywhere.

If you have extra money you could also get a winch to pull yourself out.

There is also a body lift, but I don't like them. Search the site, I'm sure it's come up and you can get others opinions.

Just out of cuiriosity, what's the code on the door sticker under axle?

 

thanks guys! your info is very informative. Keep it coming, its great.....If anyone knows of any articles or websites dedicated to 1987 F150 restoration project..ETC. That would be awesome!!!! I already got 31" nokia vativas on my truck with white 8 spokes from U.S wheel(don't laugh ... I just wanted to have steel wheels and stock ones off). I don't want a body lift...gonna wait for lift for last. Want motor 1st. My axle code is "H9".

 

H9 is a 3.55 Limited Slip (posi in GM speak, or Trac-lok in Ford Speak). See if the tag is still on the axle, it should have 3L55 on it. You can also jack up the rear and with the trans in neutral spin the one tire and if the other spins in the same direction then you have a posi.

They do wear out and start working like an open diff, but Parkway Ford in GA has rebuild kits on ebay for about $55 shipped. (I just got one for my new H9 axle) You can rebuild it in the truck without pulling the gears. You'll have to pull the axles, but then you can replace the axle seals... Also if you shim it a little tighter it'll be better off road.

Make a plan for what you want to do with your truck and stick with it. Organize it starting with maintenance, then durability upgrades, then performance upgrades. Some things can be both, If you're rebuilding the heads as maintenance, you can also pocket port them which is also performance. You wouldn't rebuild the heads, then take them off later to port them.

Also make a budget and try and stick to it. It is very easy to spend more then you can sell the truck for. That's ok if you enjoy it, but don't do it expecting to make money when you sell. I've seen people do that and it gets ugly when they have a truck they've spent $30k on that's only worth $10k and they are trying to sell it for $40k. Also remember that as you make the truck more unique, it gets harder to find a buyer. Not everyone likes white wagon wheels...

I only bring that last part up so you can make a decision on what to do. My goal is an in-expensive truck, and I would love to lift my truck, put big tires on it, re-gear it and such, but I wouldn't be able to recoup my money. Right now I can sell it for what I've got into it, probably a little more.

 

I almost fell over in my chair laughing when I read that not everyone likes white "wagon wheels"...How could you not??? lmao!!!!!! I only put those on to get rid of the stock Ford hubcaps....Those are ugly!!!! Chrome rims will definately be on this truck. I know one this this truck lays a "posi" strip, 'cause there is one out in front of my house to prove it.

 

Any block will take a roller cam. Ford changed the 5.0 casting in '86 so if the '87 Bronco block is an E7XX it will accept the OEM Ford roller assembly. If it's not, there are retrofit roller cam packages available, but they're pricey.