Bronco II Engine Swap
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Bronco II Engine Swap
Hello, I have a 1985 Bronco II with the 2.8L V-6 that has seized dead solid. I also have a 2.8L V-6 from a 1975 Mustang II that is in great shape and is complete-low mileage, etc. Is it possible to swap these engines? How close are they to being the same? I would probably take most of the engine control systems-carburetor, smog stuff, etc. from the existing engine and place it on the Mustang engine if it will fit. How close am I to reality?
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,676
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From: Pine Level NC
If both are carbed I don't see why you couldn't.
Best advice I can give you is look for a guy named
tbolt460 on here. Click on his name and send him an email directly.
The man is a BII guru.
Best advice I can give you is look for a guy named
tbolt460 on here. Click on his name and send him an email directly.
The man is a BII guru.
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 552
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you say the old stang is in nice shape why steal the motor? rebuild your 2.8 if you can. what made the 2.8 in the bII sieze if it was run low on oil and went tight your looking at a major rebuild. but if it was just sitting and went tight could be minor and rebuilt with relative ease. I just rebuilt my son in laws had 206,000 and broke the distributor shaft that runs the oil pump. he did not catch in time and the front 2 cylinders gaulded tight. I got a junk yard 2.8 replaced the crank and 2 front pistons . honed the block and installed new rebuild kit. cost was 100. for the junkyard motor and 210.00 for the rebuild kit. baby runs like new. just my 2 cents
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Update on the engine swap.
Just wanted to get back to those of you who might be curious about what is going on with the Mustang II/Bronco II engine swap. What I discovered is that the engines are essentially the same internally. I had to swap out all of the accessories from the BII to the MII engine-and I mean everything. Basically I used the long block from the MII and dropped her in the engine bay pretty much complete with the exception of the front accessories. Seems to rum fine and I am needing to replace some exhaust components-muffler, tailpipe, etc. After having taken off the oil pan from the old BII engine I found that she had thrown a rod-or at least the cap had come off and was rattling around the pan. Too bad 'cause it looked like a low mileage engine, or maybe even a replacement. The MII side of this saga is getting a small block V8 inserted where the old V6 resided. That is my son's pfoject. In the meantime, dad will be driving the BII, which seems to be a sweet little rig. Now I just gotta swap out the heater core as it seems to be leaking...
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
I'd tear down the 2.8 that came out of the BII and see what kind of shape it's in. Possibility exists that will a little time and $$$ investment, you could have a complete spare engine when the one you swapped in cr*ps out, or you can take the time and put the $$$ into building the 'spare' 2.8 up with some high-perfomance parts, etc. and gather some parts to install throttle-body injection or Duraspark ignition and a better 2- or 4-bbl carb. Just some thoughts, glad to hear you got 'er back up and running 
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Hey K-P, I think you are right on the BII motor. I have taken it apart somewhat and it seems to be fine for the most part, with the exception of the busted rod. I probably will rebuild it and keep it as a spare because there seems to be minimal wear on what I can see. The problem with doing the upgrades is that I live in California and they frown on changing any of the fuel/air management systems. I may be stuck with the 2 barrel carb and all of the associated smog crap. Maybe the updated ignition stuff, but beyond that it may get a bit complicated arguing with the smog guys. Oh well....
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
I would check the California law - I think after the vehicle is 25 years old, it is considered exempt, but I could be wrong. Something to think about if you want to build up the spare engine. I also knew a guy who put a mild cam in his, did the throttle body injeciton mod, and a few other things, and his actually passed with better numbers than the last time he had it checked in original form. Hardest part about going TBI other than all the wiring is changing over the fuel system for the higher pressure required, if I am not mistaken. All I can say is check and see what they say as far as the 25+ year old vehicle law(s) there.
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