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what is best engine? i am buying a 79' bronco. i dont know what kind of motor to put in

#1 User is offline   akbogger907 

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Post icon  Posted 07 December 2008 - 02:05 PM

I am buying a 79 bronco. i have no idea what kind of engine to put in it. i want a good sound. i will be doing a bit of mud bogging and trail riding, but i will use it for an every day driver too. any suggestions??? p.s. i was lean towards a 351 windser. that was just a guess please help.

Edited to remove the font information so that this is easier to read. Seabronc

This post has been edited by Seabronc: 07 December 2008 - 02:48 PM

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#2 User is offline   Seabronc 

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Posted 07 December 2008 - 02:54 PM

Welcome to the Zone ><img src=<' /> . Good luck on your choice of engines. If you want a real work horse use an I6. If you can find a good 351M you might have an easier time dropping that in instead of a 351W since the bell housing in your truck is probably matched up to the larger M block.

Good luck,

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I edited your post since it was difficult to read. Even though the options are there to put in fancy fonts and colors, the default set works best. :)
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#3 User is offline   Justshootme84 

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Posted 07 December 2008 - 10:19 PM

hey ak, you might consider a 460 cid motor, too. the tranny bellhousing shares the same bolt pattern for the 429/460 as does the stock 351M. Much better for boggin' with oversize tires, JSM84
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#4 User is offline   Leadsled 

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Posted 09 December 2008 - 09:50 AM

View PostJustshootme84, on Dec 7 2008, 10:19 PM, said:

hey ak, you might consider a 460 cid motor, too. the tranny bellhousing shares the same bolt pattern for the 429/460 as does the stock 351M. Much better for boggin' with oversize tires, JSM84



Are you saying that the 429, 460, 351m, and 400 all have the same bolt pattern for the tranny? I know that the 429 and 460 are the same block.
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#5 User is offline   Yardape 

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Posted 09 December 2008 - 01:35 PM

View PostLeadsled, on Dec 9 2008, 10:50 AM, said:

Are you saying that the 429, 460, 351m, and 400 all have the same bolt pattern for the tranny? I know that the 429 and 460 are the same block.


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#6 User is offline   BB33's 

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Posted 05 January 2009 - 08:06 PM

Yeah, go with JSM's comment and do a 460. They are torque monsters and drop right in. With a few simple mods like a aftermarket intake and 4 barrel carb, headers and a pre emmissions timing chain set they're good for at least 380 horses.
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#7 User is offline   Leadsled 

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Posted 06 January 2009 - 08:40 AM

View PostBB33, on Jan 5 2009, 08:06 PM, said:

Yeah, go with JSM's comment and do a 460. They are torque monsters and drop right in. With a few simple mods like a aftermarket intake and 4 barrel carb, headers and a pre emmissions timing chain set they're good for at least 380 horses.



And with just a little more work and a little bit more money you can make a 460 put out around 500-550 on pump gas. Match your cam and intake with a little head work and you can make some serious power from a 460.
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#8 User is offline   78 blue beast 

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Posted 07 January 2009 - 08:53 AM

I've read that the 351m/400 are taller blocks. I found it odd as well that you can just mount the big block engines in and use the same tranny bellhousing, but its true you can. I think you might have to get the new motor mounts and maybe a few other odds and ends. I also read that you can make the 351m compatible to the 460, with a lot less weight. Ovious thats agianst a stock 460. Light bogging with 35s or so you should be fine with the 351. If you want to spin lager tires and you like being able to burn the lugs off a new set of meats then go for the 460.
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#9 User is offline   Bronco_Willis 

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Posted 07 January 2009 - 09:00 AM

I think the first question, since all of us "guys" are on the power trip...what are you looking to get out of a new engine? is it HP? Torque?
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#10 User is offline   BB33's 

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Posted 07 January 2009 - 05:02 PM

View PostBronco_Willis, on Jan 7 2009, 09:00 AM, said:

I think the first question, since all of us "guys" are on the power trip...what are you looking to get out of a new engine? is it HP? Torque?



A 460 solves both B)
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#11 User is offline   clean 79 

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Posted 29 January 2009 - 09:32 PM

View PostBB33, on Jan 7 2009, 06:02 PM, said:

A 460 solves both B)

I heard you can get motor mounts out of a f series pick up of the 78 79 years with a 460 motor and they will work in the bronco is this true?
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#12 User is offline   78 blue beast 

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Posted 30 January 2009 - 06:29 AM

I would go with the L&L or advanced adapter mounts. I've been doing some research on dropping the 460 in my 78 bronco. I've got the complete engine, just need to get mounts, bigger radiator, and was thinking of going with a header system. As for if the F mounts will fit I have no clue.
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#13 User is offline   MIL1ION 

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Posted 30 January 2009 - 11:30 AM

If it was me I would build up a 400 ,these engines can be real torque masters and are lighter than the 460.

http://www.off-road....l.jsp?id=198751


If you want 460, I have one for sale a 77 Truck engine.

http://www.projectbr...talling_460.htm

This post has been edited by MIL1ION: 30 January 2009 - 11:30 AM

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#14 User is offline   muddybronco79 

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Posted 27 February 2009 - 08:41 AM

the 400 is a real torqy motor off the start. i have one in my truck and have no problems with the power i get playin in the mud. and i've read up on a forum about swapping motors, the 460 is exactly 165lbs heavier than the 400. and you have to get narrow manifolds, lift it to have the clearance for the oil pan, motor mounts, bigger radiator, etc. a 400 is what you want. for a little money you can make alot of power
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#15 User is offline   Broncobill78 

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Posted 28 February 2009 - 10:48 PM

View Postakbogger907, on Dec 7 2008, 05:05 PM, said:

I am buying a 79 bronco. i have no idea what kind of engine to put in it. i want a good sound. i will be doing a bit of mud bogging and trail riding, but i will use it for an every day driver too. any suggestions??? p.s. i was lean towards a 351 windser. that was just a guess please help.

Edited to remove the font information so that this is easier to read. Seabronc


Jeez, that's kinda like asking who's the most beautiful actress or supermodel :)

How much $$$ do you have ?
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#16 User is offline   American Thunder 

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Posted 22 March 2009 - 08:02 PM

I swapped in a rebuilt '95 300 inline(converted to carb) with a '95 5-speed transmission into my '83 Bronco with 3.55 gears, and it's got nice torque. I use it as my daily driver, and it's getting 20-22 mpg, 350 miles a week. I'm actually scrapping out the '83, due to severe body rust, and I like the setup so much that I'm swapping the entire drivetrain(hydraulic clutch setup and all) into my '78.

The only way to beat a 300 for fuel mileage and longevity is by dropping in a 5.9 Cummins.

This post has been edited by American Thunder: 22 March 2009 - 08:10 PM

* 1983 Bronco - '95 300 converted to carb with '95 5-speed, 3.55s, 9" rear
* 1978 Bronco - Newly acquired project truck - soon to be 5.9L Cummins powered.
* 1996 EB Bronco - 5.8L auto, 160k miles- The wife's truck.
* 1977 Mustang II - 530hp 332" stroker motor, C4 "mighty mite", 3.10s in a 9" detroit locker
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#17 User is offline   J&SBroncolvrs 

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Posted 22 March 2009 - 10:57 PM

A '78 is an awful lot heavier than an '83, The general concensus is that a 300 is not a good swap for a '78, it has to work too hard and the mileage gains are lost. On the other hand, I've never tried it and you can build up a 300 quite nicely if you know how so I would be really interested to see how it works out.
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#18 User is offline   American Thunder 

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Posted 23 March 2009 - 04:34 AM

View PostJ&SBroncolvrs, on Mar 23 2009, 01:57 AM, said:

A '78 is an awful lot heavier than an '83, The general concensus is that a 300 is not a good swap for a '78, it has to work too hard and the mileage gains are lost. On the other hand, I've never tried it and you can build up a 300 quite nicely if you know how so I would be really interested to see how it works out.


I think the biggest weight difference would be from the '78's cast iron driveline components. The body metal feels heavier(and there's more of it, and less rust.. haha) on the '78, and it probably is, but I figure it's worth only a couple hundred pounds at most. (I hope) My '83 has the heavier 9" already, that I swapped in last year.
I have a truck scale at my shop, now you have me interested in comparing their weights. I will weigh them both and post the results when I'm done. (I also have all kinds of tools, spare parts and junk in the back of the '83 adding extra weight, mostly because the rear window wont move anymore, as the body is settling so bad, it's screwing up the latch switch.)
Even so, on my way to work, I take secondary roads, at 40-50 mph,(my '83 is SCARY at high speeds!) and the 300 makes enough low speed torque to leave it in overdrive the whole time, even on hills. It's making 280-290 ft/lbs at about 1800 rpm. They're amazing truck engines. It will pull a trailer about twice as well as the 302 I used to have in there. (and the 302 was getting about 10 mpg)

And there's always this option, which is very appealing:
http://www.fordcummins.com/

This post has been edited by American Thunder: 23 March 2009 - 04:40 AM

* 1983 Bronco - '95 300 converted to carb with '95 5-speed, 3.55s, 9" rear
* 1978 Bronco - Newly acquired project truck - soon to be 5.9L Cummins powered.
* 1996 EB Bronco - 5.8L auto, 160k miles- The wife's truck.
* 1977 Mustang II - 530hp 332" stroker motor, C4 "mighty mite", 3.10s in a 9" detroit locker
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#19 User is offline   akbogger907 

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Posted 23 March 2009 - 06:23 PM

View PostBroncobill78, on Feb 28 2009, 10:48 PM, said:

Jeez, that's kinda like asking who's the most beautiful actress or supermodel :)

How much $$$ do you have ?

not alot, i am on a budget but it sounds like a 400 is the best bang for the buck.
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#20 User is offline   Johnny Reb 

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Posted 20 November 2009 - 08:20 PM

View PostJ&SBroncolvrs, on Mar 22 2009, 11:57 PM, said:

A '78 is an awful lot heavier than an '83, The general concensus is that a 300 is not a good swap for a '78, it has to work too hard and the mileage gains are lost. On the other hand, I've never tried it and you can build up a 300 quite nicely if you know how so I would be really interested to see how it works out.

T remember seeing in a hot rod magaine one time.About a guy had a falcon. He took a sic cylinder,took two v-5 heads cut the into--mated them up and was getting around 500hp. I do not remember whick v-8 heads.But I think it was a 351--I do not remember whether it was a windsor,cleveland or which. And the guy was a machinest ,so it took some knowledge in his field .
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