are your 302's gutless?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 208
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From: Burlington, NC
The 302 in my 90 bronco is quite peppy, I can cruise at 70mph no problem, and do a peg-leg burnout if need be. My shifts are around 4500rpm. I have mustang headers, a high flow cat, 3" flow master with a dump, and a transgo shift improver.
Last edited by f1001978; May 26, 2004 at 10:07 PM.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Victoria Canada
1989 Bronco
Mine has a Windsor 351, recently rebuilt. Runs great and has no problem around town or on the highway, BUT, no power when you mash the pedal down. Expecially when pulling my trailer (3,500 lbs) - no juice to it.
What could be the problem?
What could be the problem?
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Northern New Jersey
Mine is fine
90 eb 302 180000 miles. Gibson cat back KN air filter. If you can only get 3800 rpm something is WRONG. My truck pulls very strong. This morning I pulled a 4000 lb trailer and accelerated up a long hill. Try checking your timing. Be sure to remove the SQUIRT jumper thing by the TFI before you check it. Mine was all wrong when I bought it because the guy before me did not remove it when he set it. I had a shop do the same thing to my nieces chevy. Sounded like a diesel and the guy is saying it was set just right. This 5.0 engine has been spectacularly dependable and strong. Now i must part with my beloved bronco t get a bigger truck f350 drw 7.3l crew cab (so I can pull more)
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 522
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From: Warren, MI
Well the headers are here. and im just waiting on the y-pipe, but from what ive read, the exhaust system will make a 100% difference.
Also I made some changes to my intake and vacuum system(I would say I got about 2-5HP at lower rpms), and I havent tested how far I can push it since.
I will tomorrow or next week after the headers are on.
Also I made some changes to my intake and vacuum system(I would say I got about 2-5HP at lower rpms), and I havent tested how far I can push it since.
I will tomorrow or next week after the headers are on.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 35
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From: Victoria Canada
Well, my problem was two things..
- when the engine was rebuilt, the shop DID NOT tune it up! Can you believe it? THey just stuck the old plugs, points, and dirty air cleaner back on.
- I replaced the stock exaust with a new one and boy talk about a difference!
cheers!
- when the engine was rebuilt, the shop DID NOT tune it up! Can you believe it? THey just stuck the old plugs, points, and dirty air cleaner back on.
- I replaced the stock exaust with a new one and boy talk about a difference!
cheers!
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 1
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by BurlyBoy
Well, my problem was two things..
- when the engine was rebuilt, the shop DID NOT tune it up! Can you believe it? THey just stuck the old plugs, points, and dirty air cleaner back on.
- when the engine was rebuilt, the shop DID NOT tune it up! Can you believe it? THey just stuck the old plugs, points, and dirty air cleaner back on.
I would find a new shop, thats ridiculous.
You sure they bothered to rebuild your engine with new parts?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,371
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From: just outside of Phila.
Is it enough to open up the air flow with a cold air intake and then a better flowing exhaust with manifolds on a stock 302 EFI (1988), or does more need to be done for it to run properly?
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Victoria Canada
The shop that I took it to has gone under and is no longer in business. Fortunately, they didn't actually rebuild the engine. I found that it was a lot cheaper ($1000 less) to have this shop pull the engine , send it out for rebuild and put it back in, as opposed to having only one shop do it all.
The guys that did the rebuild are a reputable shop and have been in business for a long time.
The guys that did the rebuild are a reputable shop and have been in business for a long time.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Loveland, CO.
Originally Posted by 94F150-408
I would find a new shop, thats ridiculous.
You sure they bothered to rebuild your engine with new parts?
You sure they bothered to rebuild your engine with new parts?
However, they should at least have asked you if you wanted these parts put in.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 1
From: Northern California
That may be so, JBRonco, but I know of no shop that would not replace these parts when they did the install of a rebuilt motor, nor would I trust one that just threw in all of the old "tune up" parts when they did the installation. Nor would a shop worth its salt that did the installation of a rebuild ever not replace the water pump.Thats just asking for trouble.
I see why they went under BurlyBoy! Glad to hear that the shop that did the rebuild is not the same one.
I see why they went under BurlyBoy! Glad to hear that the shop that did the rebuild is not the same one.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Loveland, CO.
Originally Posted by 94F150-408
That may be so, JBRonco, but I know of no shop that would not replace these parts when they did the install of a rebuilt motor, nor would I trust one that just threw in all of the old "tune up" parts when they did the installation. Nor would a shop worth its salt that did the installation of a rebuild ever not replace the water pump.Thats just asking for trouble.
.
.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Victoria Canada
As a matter of fact, the water pump was replaced (it's now a nice shiny blue one).
I've heard that many Broncos w/302 were underpowered, but not like secrist describes.
A new high flow exhaust should do the trick.
I've heard that many Broncos w/302 were underpowered, but not like secrist describes.
A new high flow exhaust should do the trick.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
From: South Central KENTUCKY
my 89 302 efi c6 is gutless. I did new plugs and checked timing, may try uping it to pinp point, but i can floor it when raining, and not spin a tire leaving a stop light. My 93 f150 351 would smoke the tires dry. Gearing my by of issue, but dont think bronco,s came witht he wide range of gears that the trucks did. I am hoping to rebuild the 351 and get some gains there.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Loveland, CO.
351's are not that much better. Broncos are heavy. My 90 5.8 runs perfectly, but won't smoke the tires either. Your F150 had no weight on the back end, that's why it would smoke the tires - also an F150, especially a 2WD, is lighter than a Bronco.
But a 460 should have been an option in every Bronco. It's not like it would not have fit. K5 Blazers could be had with 454's.
But a 460 should have been an option in every Bronco. It's not like it would not have fit. K5 Blazers could be had with 454's.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,399
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From: Corinth, TX
460's can be had in Broncos :-) It's not exactly stock, but hey... it *can* be had. I'd actually like to see what it would take to do a 7.3L powerstroke swap into a bronco. Maybe once I have the money, I'll buy another Bronco and swap in an F250 diesel drivetrain...droool. At least gas would be cheaper :-). I believe that the smaller (6.0?) powerstroke is going to be available in new F-150's and Expeditions.
-Josh
-Josh