Hey all - so originally my plan to do a semi resto-mod type build wasn't going to start til next spring. Giving me time to save some money. BUT - I've been watching people rebuild their 351W engines and I thought - oh wow I could do that over the winter in my grandparents small garage (too small for the whole truck though).

So I poked around FB marketplace for a bit and what pops up but a 1984 Bronco, 351w, 4spd, 4X4....for $700. The guy bought it to plow with for a few years til the steering box grenaded and he parked it. It has an IMPRESSIVE amount of rust on the body. You could drive one of those smart cars through the rust hole behind the driver's door, and it's as if there never was a rocker on that side.

I've got a message out to the guy to see about delivery or I might have to pay someone to tow it here if I move forward with this. Let me start by saying - I DO NOT intend to try and save this bronco as is. I want to use the drivetrain out of it, do a refresh/rebuild on the engine at least and maybe the trans and TX. Then I'll look for a Bronco or Truck with a crap motor I can get cheap and swap this baby in.

That's the plan anyway. I know I can part out some of the parts on this one to pay for itself. So my main questions would be - how much of a bear is it to pull the motor on these (which will be done in my gravel driveway no less). Can I eek out a few extra ponies when I refresh the engine without going nuts on modification and performance parts?

And what's worth saving on the Bronco? the body is impressively rotted and basically scrap but I wouldn't mind pulling parts to restore and keep as spares and/or sell.

Anything else to note about me choosing this as a platform to cut my teeth on? I've rebuilt small engines, dirt bikes, wheelers, and done plenty of auto work but never an engine rebuild or large project. I think it will be fun and my dad and son both would enjoy helping me...family project.

 

Axles and drivetrain, doors, the tailgate is especially valuable for anybody looking.

But.
$700 for a rusted out non-running bronco is too much IMO. I've bought them running and not rusty for that much.