Engine swap questions

[gearjammer88]

Just a question for anyone that has done this. I have an 88 Bronco with 4.9L 300-6 5 spd. I just bought an 87 Ford E350 for the nice running 351W , and my buddy has a C-6 automatic that came out of a 4x4 Bronco for me. Is there anything that I need to know? ....(engine mounts? )...... I figured that it should be a straight up swap, but nothing is ever that easy. I figure ask first, save trouble later. I was trying to decide between getting an automatic column from my other buddy or putting a universal automatic shifter on the floor as well.......................Any assistance appreciated................thanks ( the 351 is CARBURETED) forgot to add that.....

 

[Yardape]

Should be a basic swap. Would be easier if your Bronco was a couple years older. The only issue I see is you will need an ignition box. I was facing this challenge with my swap, I decided to buy an MSD pro billet ready to run Distributer. All you have to do is wire up 3 wires and its good to go. (aside from the spark plug and coil wire/s) No need for an ignition box that way. eliminated a huge headache for me. Next is the fuel system. The one currently in your Bronco is designed for high pressure (like 45+ psi) and low volume. Your carbed engine will require low pressure ( like 5 to 9 psi) and high volume. To solve this in my case i'm ripping the entire fuel system out and replacing it. Using 3/8 inch fuel line and a holley blue pump and regulater. Other than that everything else is a piece of cake. Not sure if the motor mounts are the same, I would suspect not. Compare them when you remove the engines, I cut off the rivots holding my 302 motor mounts in place and bolted the 460 mounts in with 1/2 in grade 8 bolts. Hope this helps

 

[BLADE262US]

The actual frame mounts are different fo rthe 6 to the 8 . You will need the V8 frame mounts to complete this swap . /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[gearjammer88]

The actual frame mounts are different fo rthe 6 to the 8 . You will need the V8 frame mounts to complete this swap . /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

This is the kind of stuff I want to be prepared for before I start pulling things apart. Bronco Graveyard told me that the engine mounts actually mount in the same place on the frame, I would just need to get new engine mounts for an 88' 351W Bronco.............Is this correct? I would like to know all I need to before I get into it.

 

[Yardape]

That is correct. However changing them is a chore in itself, I had to change them on my bronco for the 460 swap, then I found a set of motor motor mounts that will adapt the 460 to the 302 mounts I had. I would try to see if that option is available to you first

 

[gearjammer88]

That is correct. However changing them is a chore in itself, I had to change them on my bronco for the 460 swap, then I found a set of motor motor mounts that will adapt the 460 to the 302 mounts I had. I would try to see if that option is available to you first

No, I saw alot of the big block to small block conversion stuff but nothing like that. If I am looking at mine correctly now with the 300 6, There is a curved frame support bar thing that goes from side to side, under the oil pan. and the engine mounts are bolted to that with 3 bolts on each side (mounts being the rubber with the metal on either side and studs coming out of it) I had recently changed one of those from Advance auto parts for 15.00.) I just want to make sure these are the mounts we are all talking about, and not the steel mounting piece that the mounts bolt to on the frame...................I know this may sound stupid, but like I said, I just want to have everything I need first, because right now it is running and driving with the 6 cyl. in it and I don't want it down for a long length of time because I need some special order thing............ >-

 

[Yardape]

Its going to be a huge job, I'm not gonna lie to you. The fuel issue I brought up earlier will be your biggest challenge. The motor mounts I am talking about are the stamped steel brackets mounted to the frame. They riveted them on at the factory and I don't think they want them to come off. I personally don't know that they are different but we just heard from a very reliable source that they are. The drivers side is the worst I wish you luck. Before you sink yourself into a job of this caliber I would like to recommend you check out Clifford performance 6 equals 8 use an equals sign not the word. The 300 6 is a very good engine. If its still in good shape I would keep it

 

[BLADE262US]

Yes the frame mounts are completely different from a I6 to a V8 . Best bet for them is to find a yard that will cut them out for ya . You can then just bolt them back in your frame the holes are already there . /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[gearjammer88]

In my discussions with several people and yourselves, I have been assured that my 300-6 is a good bulletproof engine and I should not change it, because I won't even notice a change in the torque. I have always thought that a truck that looks like this SHOULD have a v-8.........I guess I was wrong. Not only will I have to change the engine mount towers, but there will be fuel system , and gear modifications needed as well if I go to an automatic tranny. I do have a set of clifford headders for the 300-6 I have never put them on. I think I will try that and at least see if I can get a stronger sound out of it anyway. I really don't have the money to spend on the other upgrades that 6=8 offers. I would like to get close to a v-8 sound, I guess I can try a couple muffler shops to see if anyone has a combination of mufflers, dual exhaust that they can reccomend for the hedders that will give it a better sound................Thanks for all your input.............