6,000.00$ to rebuild a 83 Bronco need advice!

[BroncoDan302]

:blink Need some advice I will be back from Iraq for good in Twenty nine Palms Ca in April. I bought a 83 Ford Bronco with the stock 302. Have been reading a lot from other profiles that have made the upgrade. Basically to make a long story short im looking for some advice on where to get a 351w also a person that is good at wiring. I am a rookie mechanic eager to learn. I have set aside 6,000 for the restore process The truck was bought it Salt lake body is in good shape needs some kick the 302 just doesn

 

[Seabronc]

Well,you then will have to change your user ID, won'tcha /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> . Welcome to the Zone /><' /> .

Depending on how much work you want to do yourself, you can either get a Short block, long block or a used 351 and rebuild it yourself. If you plan on rebuilding one yourself, get a couple of good books on the subject ahead of time. Here are a couple I can think of that you can find on Amazon.com or a local book store :-B :

Ford Performance byPat Ganahl, How to Build Big-Inch Ford Small blocks by George Reid, How to Rebuild Small-Block Ford engines by Tom Monroe, Ford Windsor by Isaac Martin,and Max Performance Ford V-8s On a Budget by George Reid among many others. Not everything in tose boos necessarily applies to an Off Road vehicle but you cnd filter that out on your own or with a little extra advice.

Also keep an eye on ebay and buy yourself an EVTM for the truck and a set of real Ford Shop manuals (Engine, Body / Chassis/ Electrical, Emissions). The Haynes and Chiltons are a Readers Digest version of the actual shop manuals.

As for the electrical system, here is a good site. Start with a 3G alternator upgrade. They put out much higher amps at lower RPMs. I have converted to a Lincoln Mark VIII electric fan from a 4.6L engine. I also have a heavy duty 3 core radiator and that fan only comes on when setting in traffic, even when it is up in the high 90's around here.

Consider an electric waterpump, there are several kinds and you need one that can stand up to continuous running, (some are only ment for drag racing and can't be run for long periods of time like on the street). I am going that route next year but I am going to use one that mounts an electric motor and spins the stock water pump. The reason for that is if the electric motor fails I can just change belts and run it off the engine. Also I don't have A/C so I can mount the motor where the compressor would be.

Both the electric fan and water pump require an upgrade to the alternator to a 3G system with atleast 130 Amp capacity. Here is another good link to some real good Ford information: [URL=

Also see http://broncozone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5561

There are lots of Bronco lovers around here that will be willing to make suggestions and tell you what they have done.

Good luck,

>-

 

[stubby]

this reply has nothing to do with restoring your truck- i just wanted to say thank you for what you're doing in iraq- it's been 14 years since i was there and when i left i'd hoped no one would have to return to finish what we started- THANK YOU- you guys and gals keep this country free-

 

[Justshootme84]

I will add my hearty thanks, too, for protecting our freedom and the IRaqi people.

Concerning the restoration, or resti-fication, of the 83 Bronco, I qould browse through the galleries of sites like this and supermotors.org to shape your vision of what you want the Bronco to be. Many folks never really finish a project, but a game plan helps focus your time. I think $6000 is rather tight, and would say many of the resto's I've seen and done myself are in the $10K range.

A standard engine replacement/overhaul by a garage will run you $3000. WHile alot of that is labor cost, a longblock kit will run about $1000-$1200 for a stock engine. If you search the engine specs (links and info are listed in many forum topics) you will not find much difference between the 302 you have and a 351W. So before junking the 302 for a remanufactured block, consider having it checked and worked over by a machine shop. This is a good time to consider a few performance upgrades, like a camshaft or carb change, but if you get to far from stock it will cost you more money.

The wiring issue is more complicated, like Seabronc stated, and that's where I'm at on my 84 project. You can get a complete master wiring kit from Painless for about $500, but you still have to install it your self or have a shop do it. You will still spend many hours making your own harnesses or splicing connections and soldering. The Ford diagrams are a must if you are working on any of this.

My last bit of advice would be to evaluate the conditon of the body and frame. You stated it was from UT, so no rust. Any rust-thru on the main tub is much harder to fix. Check the body mounts on the frame, and the engine/tranny crossmembers for any signs of cracks or damage. The old rubber bushings for the body and suspension prolly need replacing, and a master kit for all of those is only about $200. I installed one from Daystar, using poly urethane bushings.

Post some pics of your rig if you get a chance, and feel free to ask any questions. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask, Randy JSM84 &lt