A different 5.8 Swap

[BigDaddy750]

I'm pretty new to broncos, but liked mine for the month that it ran. My 5.0 gave up the ghost and needs replacement. I have an 87 with the 5.0 and MPFI. I'd like to have an 87 with a carb 5.8. I know it sounds crazy to go back to the carb, but I think I could build up a 351 to respectable levels and don't want to fool with making it work with some factory computer. I know that something would have to be done with the fuel pump, and the gauges would need some tweaking to work, although a new set of stewart warners may make this easier. Can you think of any other changes that would need to be made to go back to the carb. Also, the auto trans for 87 is not electronic is it?

thanks

Adam

 

[Broncobill78]

The tranny is an AOD and will work fine with the 351. Returning the EFI 351W to a carb is a fairly common conversion. You'll obviously need the new intake, a new timing chain cover & fuel pump eccentric as well as the distributor & coil. I'm not sure but I think you may have to remove not only the high pressure fuel pump on the frame but also the low-pressure pump in the tank I don't know if the mechanical pump will be able to pull fuel thru it or not. That's all I can think of off the top of my head but I'm sure someone else will mention anything I missed.

 

[Seabronc]

The tranny is an AOD and will work fine with the 351. Returning the EFI 351W to a carb is a fairly common conversion. You'll obviously need the new intake, a new timing chain cover & fuel pump eccentric as well as the distributor & coil. I'm not sure but I think you may have to remove not only the high pressure fuel pump on the frame but also the low-pressure pump in the tank I don't know if the mechanical pump will be able to pull fuel thru it or not. That's all I can think of off the top of my head but I'm sure someone else will mention anything I missed.

An alternative to adding a mechanical fuel pump is to get a Holley low pressure electric pump and add a low pressure regulator. You may have to get a tank and sender unit that is intended for an 80 - 86 351W.

The AOD tranny has a different kick down than the C6 that usually goes with a carbed 351W. The AOD uses a cable connection vs the rod connection for a carbed 351/C6 combination. I'm sure there is a kit to take care of that.

Good luck,

>-

 

[Broncobill78]

Thanx Fred, I appreciate the backstop. I'd forgotten about the kickdown issue.

 

[BigDaddy750]

So I may need a new dist. What if I use an MSD Box and the EFI dist, would that work? I had thought about the older gen fuel tank and a holley LP fuel pump. The kick down thing could be gotten around for a little while. I'm thinking about a 5 speed swap as well.

This isn't a popular topic, but I'm seriously thinking about a prostreet bko. I have not decided whether I will swap the front end out for 2wd, or keep the 4wd. A 4wd that can smoke all 4 tires would be cool. I'm still in the planning stages, so we'll see what happens. A mustang killin' bko just gets me all warm ad fuzzy. Please don't flame for the conversion...I promise no air ride, frame laying, or DUBS will be part of my project.

 

[Broncobill78]

The EFI distributor gets timing signals from the computer & flips the coil on & off to produce the spark. The MSD box is a good idea but you'll still need a duraspark or aftermarket distributor w/a vacuum advance. The holley electric pump should work but you'll still have the issue of trying to pull fuel thru the factory LP pump in the tank unless you remove it.

As far as the rest of your post goes, well, to each his own I guess /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

here's a little inspiration for ya:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/195215

 

[famousguy_fsas]

its a 5.8 not 5.7. but i think you should do what everyone here told me to do which i am. do a 460 swap

 

[BigDaddy750]

Thanks for the inspiration...lol Not exactly my cup of tea, but at least the person put some effort into it.

I forgot to add about changing the fuel tank and pickup to a non efi version. And I guess I will need a different dist if I start off with the efi block. I may just go with an msd or mallory dist and matchin box. As far as suspension stuff, I'm thinking about stock height, or maybe an inch or two lower, with poly bushings and larger sway bars to stiffen it up. The tires will be a little lower, but wider, profile tire for traction. I have 235/75-15 and was thinking about a set of 285/60-16's on some new Ultra Type 164 16x8" rims.

I think I will keep the 4wd...would be a shame to hack my truck up for nothing...it does snow here every once in a while.

As far as the 351 goes, I'm thinking a mild build in the 300-350 lbft range turning around 5000rpm max. Any suggestions on this. Most of the 351 builds I see are designed for high RPM drag mustangs. This will be a fun street truck after all, so I'm concerned more with a good takeoff and steady power build more than top speed. This is a bronco and I'm NOT planning on cruising at 100+, but I like to have my neck snapped on a good takeoff. A 5-speed with 3.73 gears should give me the take off and still be able to cruise at 70 on the freeway. I'm not really concerned with gas milage since it only got about 10 mpg with the stock 5.0. I should be able to reach my power goals and still hit 9-10mpg when driven normally.

On a side note, my new company car is an 09 Escape with the 250hp V6 6-speed. Man that thing is quick for a factory mini SUV. I'll have an unofficial 0-60 in the next few days. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> I'm guessing its in the upper 6 sec range...good enough to whoop up on the ricers around here.lol

 

[BigDaddy750]

its a 5.8 not 5.7. but i think you should do what everyone here told me to do which i am. do a 460 swap

If I find a 460, that could be a possibility, but I like that the 351 bolts right up to the existing motor mounts.

 

[rednck7736]

If I find a 460, that could be a possibility, but I like that the 351 bolts right up to the existing motor mounts.

The $60 swap wold intell a lot more changing of parts.I resently rebuild the the 351w in my 85Bronco.But I stroked it to a 427.THe only isses I had with the stroker kit was I had to grind on teh oil pump to clear the crank whenit came around.Then had to beat out my brand new oil pan cause 1 rod was hitting it.Thats just 1 more way to make power with out swapping to a big block.My 77 F-150 4x4 I swapped the 351m out of it for a 460.Butit already had a big brock bell housing on the tranny

 

[famousguy_fsas]

thats exactly what i said. cause i was gonna put a 5.8 in mine cause i want a bolt in application but they gave me this site. and well i dont know your money situation and what you want out of your truck and what your usin it for but if you got the money this site has a kit that makes the 460 a complete bolt on application. http://www.landlproducts.com/list.aspx?cID=1

 

[Broncobill78]

The $60 swap wold intell a lot more changing of parts.

I don't know that I'd say you have to change "a lot" of parts. Motor mounts & exhaust manifolds. That's it. No, wait, the 80-96 also need a remote oil filter added. Still, the engine was available from the factory in F-trucks of that year so it's a fairly painless installation. Why go thru the trouble to bore & stroke something to the ragged edge when a larger engine is available as an easy swap ?

 

[rednck7736]

I don't know that I'd say you have to change "a lot" of parts. Motor mounts & exhaust manifolds. That's it. No, wait, the 80-96 also need a remote oil filter added. Still, the engine was available from the factory in F-trucks of that year so it's a fairly painless installation. Why go thru the trouble to bore & stroke something to the ragged edge when a larger engine is available as an easy swap ?

I didn't want to do the 460 swap in my bronco. Becasue I did want to have change everything.I already have ALum.gt40 turbo swirlsheads and weind intake and headers on the 5.8 that I pulled out.MY small block 427 is only bore 40 over and and the notching was very minimal.Way less than a 383 chevy has to do.And I did not want to have to change trannys or buy an adopter kit to mount the 460 to my excesting trans.Since I already had all my top end parts.The machine work,cam,and stroker kit ruffly cost me about 1700$.Since it was on a budget I wasnt able to get the bigger cam and converter I wanted.So I bought 1 that was close to needing a converter to brake it in and run it for now.I will buy a bigger cam and stall at a later date this year.THe bad thing my girlfriend drives the truck everyday until I cam able to fix hers.But she babies.So its ok.