Just bought my first bronco! need engine opinoins.

[jaysend5.0]

Hello all,

I just got my first bronco! It is a 1974. I bought it with a bunch of goodies already on it. It had a nice 5.5 lift with deaver coils and leafs. the f350 shock towers installed. Shocks are shot though.. Brand new goodyear MTR 35" tires. It has ARB's 4.56 gears and 31 spline rear. It also has an NP435. Oh and new centech wiring harnes.

It had manual brakes with drums all around which were scary with 35" tires. So first thing I did was get power brake booster and discs front and rear. I am installing them now. Next on the list is bilstein 7100's and new steering linkage. Then the only weak link left will be the engine.

It currently runs with decent compression. It stumbles a little at higher RPM. could be a carb adjustment. I am still learning carbs. I have always had EFI in my projects. (93 Mustang and 2000 Ranger.)

It is tired and being the original block and heads doesn't seem long for this world. So the two options I am looking at are a 331 EFI. or a 410 with a carb.

I am 50/50 at this point. I will tell you a bit about each.

331. For my ranger I had purchased a 2000 explorer 5.0 way back in 2001 with almost no miles on it. I have oiled it and rotated it many times over the years and it is covered. I have all of the EFI stuff for it. Obviously it is all OBDII and I would need a cpu and dizzy ect.. out of a fox body mustang. But If I went this route it would get AFR 185 heads 24 lb injectors, mild cam, 70mm TB and 75mmMAF, headers and explorer gt40 intakes.

Or I would go with a longblock 410 AFR 205 heads, mild cam, headers, edelbrock performer intake and holley truck avenger carb.

I really want a 4BT but I think that swap is a bit beyond me. This is hopefully going to be a weekend cruiser/camping/offroading vehicle. I like the idea of set it and forget it and mild manners of EFI and the fact that it can run upside down and the potential double digit gas mileage would be a plus. But there is just something about a nice carbed big cube engine. I imagine it would be an easier and cleaner install. (Not a big fan of wiring and it does have a brand new centech wiring harness.) But I do already have a 5.0 with most of the EFI stuff.

Opinions anyone???

By the way sorry for the long winded post. Just thought the more info I gave the better the responses.

Thanks in advance,
Jason

 

[sprdv1]

How bout just a 351w swap...?

 

[bax]

go with the 4 bt

 

[76_bronco]

Any Pictures???

 

[65 mustang]

Don't see too much difference between the 2. IMO use what you got, stroke the 5.0 with different heads and a ratty cam . You will make the same power maby not the same torque. Scott

Almost forgot WELCOME TO THE MADNESS!!!

 

[t.lay]

x2 on go with what you've got. I also think in a couple of years gas prices are gonna suck again.

 

[BRONCOchild]

here's my two cents:

351 efi if you want a bit of modern amenities, plus no worries about fuel being consumed greatly.

400 carb only if you want some "huevos" in your eb when driving up and down the hills. i had a '78 bronco with 400ci and it was cool. but i was a college kid then and well it wasn't nice on the wallet. a lot of "huevos" though.

 

[68rockcrawler]

fuel injection all the way!

 

[tcb42]

I considered a 331 when I was looking for a new motor but for the price I went with a ford racing crate 302 from Summit. Great motor but now it is about $1500 more. I agree with t.lay that gas prices are gonna suck soon and what ever you decide to build or buy go with efi. It will at least net you better mileage.

 

[needabronco]

You already have an explorer 5.0 with gt40p heads, intakes, and it's low miles right? Why not put that in there and drive it for a while? You'll benefit from the lower rpm torque of the explorer stuff and get better milage than any of your other options. I'd save my money to spend on a tranny swap and get an overdrive.

 

[bronko69er]

I vote for a 351W with EFI

 

[BroncoBoy72]

I say go for the 4bt, you will spend a little more cash but in the long run you will be extremely happy. I was going to build an EFI 408 and decided to ditch it when I rode in a Bronco with a 4bt. I am currently working on my 4BT install, so if you have any questions let me know.

JR

 

[jaysend5.0]

First of all thanks to all for responding. And I was completely mad with my Ranger so the madness of a bronco that I have always wanted is extreme to say the least. I will get some pics up soon.

Seems most people think the 5.0 based efi is the best bet. or of course the 4bt.
For those 4bt people out there, is there anywhere I can buy one rebuilt without a core? I havent seen to many step vans. There was one on pirate a while ago in my area but it seems spending all that time and money just to get a core is a bit silly. If I go that route and put all that work in I would want a fresh engine to start with. Also besides the adapters, and custom engine mounts and tranny, what else would I need? I am pretty clueless about diesel other than that I like them. Oh and how would the dana 20 hold up to 4bt torque?

Seems I am leaning towards EFI. So before I throw out the 351w based engine I will do a bit of research and pricing on what I would need for an efi 351. I am guessing my pump and injectors would be to small and the intakes wont fit the taller 351.

Keep the thoughts coming guys!

Thanks,
Jason

 

[jaysend5.0]

EFI 331 it is. thanks for the input. I just got laid off, so with your input using what I got sounds like the plan!

thanks!

 

[bronko69er]

First of all thanks to all for responding. And I was completely mad with my Ranger so the madness of a bronco that I have always wanted is extreme to say the least. I will get some pics up soon.

Seems most people think the 5.0 based efi is the best bet. or of course the 4bt.
For those 4bt people out there, is there anywhere I can buy one rebuilt without a core? I havent seen to many step vans. There was one on pirate a while ago in my area but it seems spending all that time and money just to get a core is a bit silly. If I go that route and put all that work in I would want a fresh engine to start with. Also besides the adapters, and custom engine mounts and tranny, what else would I need? I am pretty clueless about diesel other than that I like them. Oh and how would the dana 20 hold up to 4bt torque?

Seems I am leaning towards EFI. So before I throw out the 351w based engine I will do a bit of research and pricing on what I would need for an efi 351. I am guessing my pump and injectors would be to small and the intakes wont fit the taller 351.

Keep the thoughts coming guys!

Thanks,
Jason

I have heard multiple times that stock mustang injectors and MAF will work fine with a stock 351W. You can use the truck lower manifold, BC's adapter plate, and the mustang upper. A pump suited to supply a 5.0 will work fine for a stock 351W.

 

[trailpsycho]

Roll with the 5.0 and storke it if you must...but I would go with the AFR 165s, even with a 331 stroker kit. Sorry to hear that you got laid off. I hope that you are able to stay afloat. I guess you will have time to get work on the project...maybe just throw in the 5.0 as it sits...see if your happy with it. Lots of good reading on www.fordfuelinjection.com and plenty of write up here on CB. Try the search function; it works pretty good. When you get soem specific Qs, fire away. Again, sorry to hear about your job.

Best

John

 

[BlazinCopper]

I would go with a V6 EFI , wait - was that an option, Oh, I would do the EFI - Explorer motor, If you know how to EFI - I would EFI it. I just don't like having to push down the pedal in the morning to crank it.;D J/J


Welcome aboard

 

[br0nc0xrapt0r]

go with the 4 bt

No way he would be way better off with a flux compacitor, jk a carbed 351 would be just right I think.

 

[jaysend5.0]

Thanks guys for the replies.

Trailpsycho; being laid off is fine. I have savings and a severance package. I will be fine. Plus I have one hell of an understanding sugar momma!

Anyway more time for the bronco! And I actually agree with you that 165 AFRs would be better than 185's. must not have been thinking when I was typing.
Any way I picked up a mustang cpu, distributer and 190 lph fuel pump.

I just finished the brakes and I should be ordering steering linkage and seats any day now. So hopefully an 331 efi engine build thread will be coming soon.