How to get a smog legal 1979 Bronco in CA with a 460 big block?

[DirtDonk]

Where do you see a 351W and a 429 4BBL being available in 78 or 79 Broncos, or four-wheel-drive pick ups?
Or even 2 Wheel Dr. pickups for that matter, in some of those cases?

I certainly could be wrong, but never saw anything other than the 351M/400 engines available in the bronco, or four-wheel-drive trucks, at least in those two years.

 

[EPB72]

Where do you see a 351W and a 429 4BBL being available in 78 or 79 Broncos, or four-wheel-drive pick ups?
Or even 2 Wheel Dr. pickups for that matter, in some of those cases?

I certainly could be wrong, but never saw anything other than the 351M/400 engines available in the bronco, or four-wheel-drive trucks, at least in those two years.

looked at alldata but was sceptical do agree i gave bad info..... I tried to find our Mitchel emissions book from ages ago but coudn't find ,the current one dosen't seperate the trucks.

 

[Broncobowsher]

'78/79 only had 351M and 400 engines. Anything else has been swapped.
Parts books are often wrong with added stuff that never existed. Blanket cut/paste when making the books.

 

[bmc69]

78 bronco engine option 351w 351m and a 400 all 2bbcarbs,,,, 79 options. 351w 351m. 400, all 2bb and a 429 4bb. 79 would be a better choice maybe able to fool a 460 for a 429

'78/'79 Broncos had two - and only two - engine options. 351m or 400.

Oops..I answered before I saw bowsher's post...

the 429 reference was particularly amusing...considering how long they'd been out of production before the '78 Bronco came out.

 

[OX1]

Mine has the SUPER rare cargo light option. I "swear" it's factory .

 

[904Bronco]

Mine has the SUPER rare cargo light option. I "swear" it's factory .

Never seen that option... I added cargo lights in the bed tied into the door switches... Made my own quarter panel inserts with 1/4" MDF. I guess I had better stop posting G2 stuff before I get yelled at...

 

[BUCKWILD]

Maby I missed it is the 460 Injected? if not go smog it most all smog teks will not know the difference, If it is injected go smog it and tell them you put newer injection on yuor 4hundo and have the stock bronco smog crap on it . I am in nor cal and dont have the dyno smog not sure of your location

 

[Broncobowsher]

I think '79 was the last year you could get a 460 in an F150. If you could find a '79 F150 460 it would probably be the best to pass through the paperwork side of things

As for a modified engine, aftermarket heads and such, still not seeing that being legal for road use with a california registration.

 

[bronco italiano]

Mine has the SUPER rare cargo light option. I "swear" it's factory .

Lariat package?

 

[HoldMyPocket]

The 460 swap would only be legal in CA if it came out of a 78-79 2wd F150. You could probably pass it as a 400 with all the correct smog equipment but you're still playing in muddy waters and I don't recommend it.

If you HAD to have it that way (legally).. get a 75 or older Ford truck chassis and swap everything over. I'm going this route with my 78 F150 4x4 using a 74 F250 2wd frame. My Federal 78 F150 currently passes smog without issue and I have a 400 but I want to run a modern EFI motor down the road.

 

[OX1]

Lariat package?

XLT. I was kidding, that setup was NEVER stock. But IF Ford ever did it, I suspect it would use those exact parts.
The switch is from dentside F-series, to turn on the optional bed light.

 

[904Bronco]

XLT. I was kidding, that setup was NEVER stock. But IF Ford ever did it, I suspect it would use those exact parts.
The switch is from dentside F-series, to turn on the optional bed light.

Just the same, not Factory but very cleanly done.

 

[jamesroney]

The 460 swap would only be legal in CA if it came out of a 78-79 2wd F150. You could probably pass it as a 400 with all the correct smog equipment but you're still playing in muddy waters and I don't recommend it.

If you HAD to have it that way (legally).. get a 75 or older Ford truck chassis and swap everything over. I'm going this route with my 78 F150 4x4 using a 74 F250 2wd frame. My Federal 78 F150 currently passes smog without issue and I have a 400 but I want to run a modern EFI motor down the road.

I think there is another way.

As long as there was EVER a 460 with an emissions calibration for the GVWR class of the 78-79 Bronco, then the engine is eligible for a BAR approved "Engine Change." The cut off is 8500 GVW. For the purposes of emissions, the Bronco, and the F100, and the F150 are not trucks. They are passenger cars.

So a 460 swap can be done by sourcing an engine (preferably with an emissions decal, but not necessary...) from a passenger car or light truck under 8500 GVW. It is preferable to source a donor from the same year as the target car...because it will already have the necessary equipment. I THINK, but i don't know (or care...) what exact emissions were deployed on your 78 Bronco. But likely EVAP, CAT, AIR, EGR, PCV, and some kind of Spark) If you source an engine from a later vehicle, 80-96...you have to add the emissions from the donor.

The reason to use a 78 Donor 460 from a car is that it will have all of those things already. If you buy a donor from a 1970, then you have to find a way to add them. Adding EGR is not trivial.

This is why you can't put a 7.3 IDI diesel in your 78 Bronco. But you can put in a 6-300.

Don't be scared or discouraged. It is just a huge time suck with the BAR referee. Best if you are a firefighter, or a cop. You'll need a lot of days off during business hours. Plan on spending at least 4 trips to the referee. Never forget that the primary function of any government entity is to perpetuate itself. Second function is to generate revenue. (to enable #1) somewhere way down the list is to help the citizen. (but is is on the list...)