just got an 87 bronco and I am just a weekend mechanic. the big problem is the vacuum lines. those little bitty brittle suckers are broken, cracked and disconnected all over the place. also it has a holley carb and it looks like there is a vacuum switch on the side that once had a vacuum line hooked up to it but it broke off inside, very far up, making it impossible(seemeingly) to hook up another line to it. Even if I could hook it up I wouldn't know where the other end hooked up to..any ideas??

also, are there any resources online that may be like a vacuum lines for dummies for routing the lines? I'm not at all confident that all the lines are where they are supposed to be.

are those little hoses & connectors a dealer item or can i get them somewhere else.

Thanks in advance this site has helped me a great deal already

 

I would have thought an 87 would be fuel injected. You may have inherited something you didn't bargain for. If it's not the original engine, you will have to find out where it came from before you could even attempt to figure out what goes where. Or you could do the "pull it off and plug it and see if it still runs ok" thing. If you have the money, your best bet would be go with an aftermarket non-emmission carb and bolt it on your manifold. Edelbrock or holley, whatever you prefer.

 

Or, if it is the original engine, and someone decided to "fix" the fuel injection problems, you're still looking at some headaches. Unless your example has a good excuse, it was fuel-injected at one time. (Ford went EFI on all of its truck engines starting in '87, with some examples like the 302 even prior). Look under your dash, above the accelerator, just to check if there's a computer mounted there. If so, I'll bet it's pretty bored. Also, if your truck still has exhaust manifolds, check to see if there's an oxygen sensor living in one of them with the wire cut. You can try to sort through things and keep it carbureted, or start researching the task of reinstalling EFI. You'll probably be okay if you don't have to pass an emissions check, but if so, they'll never let the carb fly. The brittle plastic vacuum lines are available, I believe, although you can also use standard rubber vacuum hoses with the appropriate emissions connectors, which are available in the aftermarket parts stores. You may try looking in NAPA or Pep Boys. Good luck!

 

In 1987, the 351 was the only engine to come with a carb. If memory servers me right, this was the last year for that. I've got an 87 with the 351 (and the factory carb), so I've attached a picture of the vacuum diagram. It's not a perfect picture, but it should help. I'm not sure if they changed throughout the year or not, but it should still be pretty close to what you are looking for. And I agree, I hate the plastic vacuum lines too. Seems like each time I do some work on the engine, I find another one that is so brittle that it breaks when you move it. I've been able to get replacement lines and connectors at most of the local auto parts stores.
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Gee wiz what a nightmare! eso, thanks for setting us straight and welcome to the forum.

 

Agreed..... I thought I was fairly certain about the EFI going across the board for '87 truck engines, but this board is always teaching me something new!

 

Could you or any one please help!!! I need the vacuum diagram for a 87 ford bronco 302 engine. Can't find it anywhere. Thanks so very much. Marcie mosseyann(No Email Addresses In Posts!)

 

Marcie

Didn't you get the one I sent?

 

I have an '87 Bronco with the 5.8 351m under the hood stock
so i don't know where you got the idea that is was fuel injected