I don't think my engine is original?

[naze1972]

I'm about to buy my step fathers 1990 Ford Bronco Eddie Baur XLT.I took the Vin Number and checked it all out and everything matches till I get to the Engine,It says H which is a 351 windsor? My step father and His friend says its a 351 big block? Now I don't know much about Fords(I always had mopars) But the Distributor is in the front of the engine(which on mopar that was always a Big Block).Im figuring Ill need to find the engine vin to see where it came from but was wondering if its at all possible to come from 1990?I was hoping the truck was a numbers matching vechile as I had plans on restoring it.

 

[Seabronc]

If that engine is a stock Ford 351, it is a 351W which is basically the same engine as the 302. 90's Broncos did not ship with the big block engines. Both the 302 and 351 Windsor have the distributor in the front. It is possible that someone stuffed a 460 in there. Post a picture of the engine.

Good luck,

>-

 

[Krafty]

check the valve cover for an id sticker. there are 351 W wich are normal for bronco's and for the 1990 will be the 5.8 fuel injected version. if its got a carburetor as opposed to a throttle body then its not original.

351 modifieds or M are considered big blocks.

 

[naze1972]

If that engine is a stock Ford 351, it is a 351W which is basically the same engine as the 302. 90's Broncos did not ship with the big block engines. Both the 302 and 351 Windsor have the distributor in the front. It is possible that someone stuffed a 460 in there. Post a picture of the engine.

Good luck,

>-

 

[Seabronc]

From what I can see, that is a stock 351W which was shipped with the truck, just as the VIN number said.

Good luck,

>-

 

[naze1972]

From what I can see, that is a stock 351W which was shipped with the truck, just as the VIN number said.

Good luck,

>-

I been trying to tell him and his friend that.There like we've been working on fords before you were even born.I think there thinking of something else in the old mustangs?Thats my guess.

 

[Justshootme84]

There is a casting number on the side of the block, next to the starter, that you can check to verify the engine. It's easier to read if you pull out the starter. Post up what numbers you may find,JSM84

 

[naze1972]

There is a casting number on the side of the block, next to the starter, that you can check to verify the engine. It's easier to read if you pull out the starter. Post up what numbers you may find,JSM84

Im nearly 100% positive its a 351W. My step dad is just going off what his friend told him.Like I said my step dad and I been around mopar all our lives,I mean we aint stupid about engines or anything, but it just doesnt look "big Blockish" to me. lol.His friend had alot of mustangs and comets, fairlanes ect.we were more so into chargers,road runners,and alot of the small block cars-darts-dusters ect.

It all started with me wanting to buy a jeep and my step dad just bought a 2000 dodge 1500 extended cab and hes selling his bronco.I remember going hunting with him in it and last summer we had the top off when we went fishing.So I checked into broncos and saw they have a following and I can honestly say they have grown on me, watching utube videos and all. =)

 

[Justshootme84]

It does appear to be a smallblock Ford V8, as the top radiator hose and thermostat housing are in the intake instead of the timing chain cover. Determining between a 302/ 5.0L and a 351W/ 5.8L are a bit harder, since they appear nearly identical. There's also the good chance that a previous owner (P.O.) replaced the original with a remanufactured motor of the same size as the original. The 8th character in the VIN number does designate the original motor size, with "H" being a 351W in the 1990 Bronco (see the VIN chart and other info in the online LMC Truck catalog). But the only surefire way to tell waht motor you have is by the casting number on the block. I recently had to do that on the 302 V8 in a 1966 Mustang. JSM84

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fd/full.aspx?Page=11

 

[Krafty]

if your step dad wants to learn something about Fords then you should send him our way.

3 kinds of 351 ford blocks out there.

1. 351 windsor. same block as 302 , most reliable, most commonly used in cars and trucks for their inception up until the block changes in 97.Not a Big block.

2. 351 Cleveland. used in mustangs( don't know of anything else), built for power but not for longevity. Not a big block.

3. 351 Modified. Same Block as the 400 Modified. gas guzzling little torque monsters. used in F150 and up, and E150 and up in 60's and 70's. Considered Big block.

I've been playing with fords since I was born. I know almost nothing about Chevs or mopars but the other guys here can testify, I hold my own when it comes to ford knowledge.

 

[naze1972]

if your step dad wants to learn something about Fords then you should send him our way.

3 kinds of 351 ford blocks out there.

1. 351 windsor. same block as 302 , most reliable, most commonly used in cars and trucks for their inception up until the block changes in 97.Not a Big block.

2. 351 Cleveland. used in mustangs( don't know of anything else), built for power but not for longevity. Not a big block.

3. 351 Modified. Same Block as the 400 Modified. gas guzzling little torque monsters. used in F150 and up, and E150 and up in 60's and 70's. Considered Big block.

I've been playing with fords since I was born. I know almost nothing about Chevs or mopars but the other guys here can testify, I hold my own when it comes to ford knowledge.

Yea, Thats the way we are with Mopar.But I went a checkin' the Vin's and stuff and came here.I don't think it is a rebuilt motor and or a crate as it has the slight drip at the main seal,Which from reading is pretty common on that year truck.The notoror told me yesterday when we did the title that i am the 4th owner, so ya never know what others did to it after so many owners though. I do know it was an original NJ bronco though.I would imagine it saw some sand =)

I should be picking up the bronco this morning after hes done cleaning it out then I gotta bolt to work =/

I should be able to look up the motor number soon though.

 

[Krafty]

you've got yourself one fine ford there. maybe we can make a ford nut out of you yet. Good luck and keep us posted on progress.

 

[naze1972]

you've got yourself one fine ford there. maybe we can make a ford nut out of you yet. Good luck and keep us posted on progress.

I got the Bronco today.Was alot of fun to drive.I am thinking it has a 2-3" body lift as it didnt feel stock at all.Also Im alittle weirded out at the steering. that thing steers very odd compared to other trucks Ive driven. its like it can make harder turns.

I found alot of crap rigged together though.Like the air conditioning motor held up by a buggie cord?!? it isnt even bolted rotf.Then theres the pick up bed liner hacked to all **** and put over the rug in the back.Ill be getting that stuff out before someone notices and thinks it was me rotf.

I gave her a good bath and checked her out, she has nothing but surface rust and thats confined to the rear quaters.There is a little peice broken off I beleive a fiberglass body part under the rear bumper.its only about 1-2 inches missing.

But overall for 1k I think I did alright.Now to get the 3''s on =)