Carbed Explorer vs. 71-351 w/78 heads

[OX1]

If I can't get my 70 302 running right and I've "finally" ruled out ign and carb problems (when I get to that point), I have 2 motors I could use for replacement.

The 351 came out of a 74 bronc that had a 435 behind it. I think it would be a drop in with a flywheel cut, new clutch (maybe), and some mild exh work. Not sure on running cond of that motor, but it looked pretty fresh when I removed a head a while back. The heads are nothing special being 78, so the top end of that 351 will probably be weak.

Other option carbing a 302 Explor motor (80K on it with P-heads). I held a full length header up to the head and it looks workable. I would keep the V-belts, get a different crank pulley and get whatever I needed to use that 50 oz motor with a T-18. Not sure if clutch would swap over and/or what bellhousing would be needed for that.

 

[BoltBuster]

Well IMOP, 351W has my vote but the 302 should work, there is only two types of bellhousings bigblock family and small block. Unless there is something after 81' I dont know about.

 

[OX1]

Well IMOP, 351W has my vote but the 302 should work, there is only two types of bellhousings bigblock family and small block. Unless there is something after 81' I dont know about.

A buddy of mine just pulled apart an 83ish 302, alum bellhousing, 435 and 205 combo that he got from a guy who had it in a ranger. That bellhousing is not the same one thats' in our broncs, so there are multiple.

Also know there are even newer one's that use hydr clutch. Throughout all those changes, I didn't know if anything else changed on them. It appears the 28 and 50 oz fylwheels are the same thickness, spacing off the crank, and number of teeth.