170 to 302 swap

[bigpitbull]

Ok guys. I am planning to swap my I6 170 out for a 302 in the future... Probably this winter. I have a 302 and 3 speed from a 77 f100. I also have a 306 that I pulled from my 90 mustang that has less than 1000 miles. I want to turn my 66 into a nice driver. I have thought about an efi swap but I don't want to deal with changing the fuel pumps and computers. I know the 77 302 runs but I'm unsure of the mileage. Personally I would rather swap in the 306. Is this a hard swap? I checked the tech articles and the link provided (showing all the steps) no longer works. Any advice or threads with detailed pics would be great.
I have converted a mustang before but this will be my first Bronco to swap. Also will the tcase be the same swapping to the v8?
I'm sure I will have 1k questions along the way!
Thanks in advance for any/all help.

 

[thesnake]

On Lonestar EB's site there are numerous upgrade tech articles that are great. This is a link to the page, it's 4th or 5th from the top.

JD

http://www.lonestar-ebc.com/upgrades.php

 

[bigpitbull]

Awesome! Thanks. I will check it out.

 

[bigpitbull]

ford F cam..

Any guys running an f303 cam in a 306 HO motor with a carb setup? I'm just curious as to the drivability of this setup paired with a 3 speed..

 

[bsquared]

I did a similar swap a little over a year ago. However, I went with a ZF 5 speed and NP205 T-Case, so my whole drive train was pretty much swapped out. Don't know if the F100 3 speed will match up to your current D20.

As you can see from the LEBC tech article, you'll have to cut off the old I-6 motor mount perches and weld on ones for the small block V-8. I went with a 70 Mustang radiator because it mounted up the sides like the I-6 and had the inlet and outlets on the correct sides for the 96 Exploder motor. I had to cut off the old mounts, flip them and add spacers to get it to match up to the radiator's mount rails, but it made for a clean install. Otherwise, you'll have to weld on V-8 radiator mounts to fit a stock Bronco V-8 radiator. Going this route also gave me more room between the radiator and fan. Last pic is of a custom fan shroud that I made, using the tech article that details how to make a shroud extension.

Let me know if you'd like some info on that radiator install. Thanks, B2

 

[bigpitbull]

Bsquared.. I would like to keep the bronco a 3 on the tree. I like how you used the mustang radiator. any info regarding the swap would be greatly appreciated! this might be a dumb question but is there any difference between the v8 and I6 tcase?

 

[broncnaz]

Even a lot of the mustang guys dont like the F cam it really doesnt make good power until after 2000 RPM. with the stock 3 speed i dont think that would be a good cam to run. I'd go with the E cam or even just a stock explorer or HO cam it will be much better suited for a bronco.
That 77 F100 3 speed will not work in a bronco. You need to find something else.
As for swapping in the 306 well its fairly close to a bolt in deal just depends on what accessories/brackets you intend to use. only other related issue is flywheel/flexplate and balancer issues.

 

[bsquared]

I stumbled onto the Mustang radiator while looking over options on the Champion radiator site. I noticed that the tanks for the Mustang radiator were top and bottom, like the I-6, as opposed to the sides like the V-8 Broncos. I had read a lot about clearance issues and could tell I'd save about an inch by cutting off the stock mount rails and "backspacing" them. Used some spacers from the hardware store to get the width right.

I'm sure others can chime in on keeping a 3 on tree config better than I can. Like with the motor perches, I think the 3 speed shift linkage will be different lengths than with the I-6. I believe the tranny crossmembers are the same for both, but again, others will know more. Best of luck! B2

 

[bigpitbull]

I stumbled onto the Mustang radiator while looking over options on the Champion radiator site. I noticed that the tanks for the Mustang radiator were top and bottom, like the I-6, as opposed to the sides like the V-8 Broncos. I had read a lot about clearance issues and could tell I'd save about an inch by cutting off the stock mount rails and "backspacing" them. Used some spacers from the hardware store to get the width right.

I'm sure others can chime in on keeping a 3 on tree config better than I can. Like with the motor perches, I think the 3 speed shift linkage will be different lengths than with the I-6. I believe the tranny crossmembers are the same for both, but again, others will know more. Best of luck! B2

Good info! thanks.
I want to have all my parts lined up before starting this conversion. Im sure more questions will follow!