New Engine Time.. Advice Needed

[bsteab0yz]

Have a stock 302 in my 74 Bronco... leaking everywhere, they are going to do compression tests but we think we know it's not going to be good, along with the other things going on. If a new engine is needed and I don't want to wait on a rebuild and just want to go crate engine... 1) what are the best crate engines to get with a decent lead time 2) is there anything else we should do while the engine is out 3) what are upgrades you would recommend?

I would love for this truck to be a daily summer driver for me so keep that in mind. Not looking for anything super powered... just reliable and durable.

Chad

 

[dhendriksen]

I'd rebuild what you've got, personally. It's neither difficult nor expensive, and then you can say you've got the motor that came with the truck still in it. Take it all apart, clean up the block, get it machined, paint it, and put it all back together with new gaskets, etc...

 

[gmduncan]

Hope you don't take this the wrong way, How deep are you willing to dig into your pocket? While it's out, maybe paint the engine compartment the same color as the rest of the truck.

 

[73azbronco]

JUst fyi, if you want total hands off, I just spent $15,000 on a new rebuilt v6 and tranny plus associated parts and labor on a 2005 ranger. Its pricey out there.

 

[SteveL]

I agree with dhendriksen. If it's the original motor rebuild it and stay numbers correct. Shouldn't take much longer than waiting on a crate motor. If you're determined to get a crate I'd bump up to a 351w.

 

[66 Bronco Dave]

Store the engine get a crate 5.0 roller. If money is not an option rebuild. Just make sure you get a good builder. Anybody can put an engine together not many do it right.

 

[TX-ZACH]

This post summed it up pretty good.

nvrstuk said:


Pretty accurate:
"So, long intro to a simple answer:
1. More money than brains: Coyote 5.0
2. More time than money: 1996 Ford 351W.
3. I break shit, and like to go fast, and when someone is stuck, they call me: Blueprint 408W.
4. I ain't rich, and I need a Bronco that runs now: Mustang 5.0.
5. I need cheap reliable horsepower, I have no friends, and I don't want any: LS swap."

 

[Timmy390]

This post summed it up pretty good.

nvrstuk said:


Pretty accurate:
"So, long intro to a simple answer:
1. More money than brains: Coyote 5.0
2. More time than money: 1996 Ford 351W.
3. I break shit, and like to go fast, and when someone is stuck, they call me: Blueprint 408W.
4. I ain't rich, and I need a Bronco that runs now: Mustang 5.0.
5. I need cheap reliable horsepower, I have no friends, and I don't want any: LS swap."

#2 for me but I love it.

Tim

 

[ep67bro]

From what I understand getting a crate 302 right now is dificult. Lead times are long and not many choices. If your not looking for rubber ripping power have the original rebuilt.
1. You know it will fit. 351 and high intake fuel injected 302s will not fitting under the stock hood with out modification.
2. As long as there are no cracks in the block you know what you are starting with, most crate motors use a used 302 block and if your bronco is a manual the "new" motor may not have the threaded hole on the side of the block for the clutch. Not the end of the world as there are aftermarket fixes but just another thing to figure out.
3. You can do most of the work yourself. There are some great books and videos out there for rebuilding the 302.
4. It will still have the "original motor in it when its done!

Finding a good machine shop or engine rebuilder can be a tricky these days. Good luck on whatever path you decide.

 

[Timmy390]

Going into a 30 plus year old original never been rebuilt carbed engine is a crap shoot. Yes it runs now but not well or you wouldn't be looking to upgrade or rebuild. You might find it's in great shape.......030 over and done....but it might be DONE. Carbs really wash down the cylinder walls and if running rich it really washes down.

I'm not saying don't do it I'm just saying you might be in a pickle once you get it out and to the machine shop. I wouldn't spend a dime on an old block and heads. 2 piece rear mains leak and if they're not leaking now, they will. The 70's smog heads are just junk. Not worth the $800 you're going to put into then at the machine shop. Not worth the money in scrap either LOL

The best thing is to find a running V8 Explorer on the cheap. You get a GOOD engine, good cam and heads as well as the front dress which is the best cooling you can get for a Bronco. So many people on here have gone this route and the engines still have cross hatching in the cylinders. Yes you will have to deal with P heads but that's not as big a deal as some claim. Stock manifolds with some grinding work or go headers like I did. I run P's on my 351W

Tim

 

[36Fan]

Going into a 30 plus year old original never been rebuilt carbed engine is a crap shoot. Yes it runs now but not well or you wouldn't be looking to upgrade or rebuild. You might find it's in great shape.......030 over and done....but it might be DONE. Carbs really wash down the cylinder walls and if running rich it really washes down.

I'm not saying don't do it I'm just saying you might be in a pickle once you get it out and to the machine shop. I wouldn't spend a dime on an old block and heads. 2 piece rear mains leak and if they're not leaking now, they will. The 70's smog heads are just junk. Not worth the $800 you're going to put into then at the machine shop. Not worth the money in scrap either LOL

The best thing is to find a running V8 Explorer on the cheap. You get a GOOD engine, good cam and heads as well as the front dress which is the best cooling you can get for a Bronco. So many people on here have gone this route and the engines still have cross hatching in the cylinders. Yes you will have to deal with P heads but that's not as big a deal as some claim. Stock manifolds with some grinding work or go headers like I did. I run P's on my 351W

Tim

Timmy nailed it!! There's a reason why so many of us use the Explorer's.

 

[gmduncan]

This post summed it up pretty good.

nvrstuk said:


Pretty accurate:
"So, long intro to a simple answer:
1. More money than brains: Coyote 5.0
2. More time than money: 1996 Ford 351W.
3. I break shit, and like to go fast, and when someone is stuck, they call me: Blueprint 408W.
4. I ain't rich, and I need a Bronco that runs now: Mustang 5.0.
5. I need cheap reliable horsepower, I have no friends, and I don't want any: LS swap."

Damn... I'm number 1 twice over!

 

[jamesroney]

Timmy nailed it!! There's a reason why so many of us use the Explorer's.

@Timmy390 did good. But he left out one small detail. The 1996-97 Explorer 5.0 uses the 3 bar GT40 heads, and they are NOT the 4 bar -p heads. So there's no Exhaust manifold issue.

 

[cldonley]

This post summed it up pretty good.

nvrstuk said:


Pretty accurate:
"So, long intro to a simple answer:
1. More money than brains: Coyote 5.0
2. More time than money: 1996 Ford 351W.
3. I break shit, and like to go fast, and when someone is stuck, they call me: Blueprint 408W.
4. I ain't rich, and I need a Bronco that runs now: Mustang 5.0.
5. I need cheap reliable horsepower, I have no friends, and I don't want any: LS swap."

This otherwise perfect list left out all of us who have neither time nor money

 

[Speedrdr]

Not exactly where I fit into the list, but taking the roller motor I “inherited” in my 77 and doing a 347 stroker with it plus more $$$$$ to put expensive parts on it puts me in several places. Lol

Randy

 

[nvrstuk]

I agree with dhendriksen. If it's the original motor rebuild it and stay numbers correct. Shouldn't take much longer than waiting on a crate motor. If you're determined to get a crate I'd bump up to a 35

FORD's are NOT numbers matching!!

Crate motors are hard to find in some places so maybe a rebuilt locally with your block would be quicker... sure won't be cheaper tho.!!!!!

 

[Jduke]

what year Ford Explorers had a 5.0 V-8 ?

 

[36Fan]

what year Ford Explorers had a 5.0 V-8 ?

96-01

 

[73azbronco]

Unlesss it was destroyed during the obaumer fallacy destruction of old vehicles. I personally saw 12 explorers, highest mileage at 68,000, getting treated to the sludge treatment at local PHX pick and pull, which destroyed the motor. Result? Higher used part costs.