Paul Dudley
New member
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2009
- Messages
- 13
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Hi everybody. My name is Paul and I've got a sweet old Bronco. Not too many of these left on the roads in Vermont where I live.
A little about my truck. It was used in a movie called "The Blur of Insanity" in 2001. Check it out, funny story about a bunch of college kids on drugs. I've had it since 03. It's a 79 Bronco Custom (whatever that means) with a 351m, np435 trans, 205 case and a detroit locker in the rear, riding on 35x12.5 Dunlop Mud Rovers. Custom touches include swivelling Miata seats, an STC soft top, homemade electric fan conversion, some big things I forgot and too many little things to list.
Just got done replacing the floors and ALL bushings. 30 years of New England winters does not make them come out any easier.
Mostly these days I use the Bronco (TheBlur) for towing. Nothing real heavy, just an enduro car or some ATVs. I doubt I've ever had to tow more than 5000 lbs. It also sees its fair share of wheeling and camping, but my focus is to build it in the direction of reliable towing. It doesn't have to be a real powerhouse, just more efficient. I'd be happier with a little less fuel consumption for cruising on long tow trips (and yes, I'd like more power).
Which brings me to why I posted. I don't like carburetors; mostly the way they **** at dealing with elevation changes. I live right on the side of a windy mountain pass and have to tow over it frequently. By the time I get to the top, the thing is running so rich I could probably reburn the exhaust gas.
I have two possible solutions and I'm looking for advice or feedback (to keep this truck running it has got to be pretty cheap).
Solution 1: swap in the 5.0 ** from my 91 Lincoln Mark VII field racing car (body spent, motor strong). I know I would need to buy a clutch and flywheel, but will it mount to the 435 bellhousing? Will it use the same motor mounts? What other issues might I not be thinking of? I'm good with electrical stuff, so that's not a problem.
Solution 2: Holley Pro-jection TBI for my existing engine. The 351m in the truck has been rebuilt (stock) and has proven itself reliable, which is why I'm tempted to just leave it in. I've never used or seen this FI system before, but it seems to pride itself on simplicity and reliability (no laptop required, just rotary knobs). About $1200 with the cost of a new 4bbl intake manifold.
I'm leaning toward the Holley because I know moreso what to expect, and since my garage is tiny (for a motor swap). I've heard it compared to giving birth when I back the truck out.
Wow, long introductory post! Thanks for reading and any advice would really be appreciated.
By the way, any other users in Vermont???
Paul
A little about my truck. It was used in a movie called "The Blur of Insanity" in 2001. Check it out, funny story about a bunch of college kids on drugs. I've had it since 03. It's a 79 Bronco Custom (whatever that means) with a 351m, np435 trans, 205 case and a detroit locker in the rear, riding on 35x12.5 Dunlop Mud Rovers. Custom touches include swivelling Miata seats, an STC soft top, homemade electric fan conversion, some big things I forgot and too many little things to list.
Just got done replacing the floors and ALL bushings. 30 years of New England winters does not make them come out any easier.
Mostly these days I use the Bronco (TheBlur) for towing. Nothing real heavy, just an enduro car or some ATVs. I doubt I've ever had to tow more than 5000 lbs. It also sees its fair share of wheeling and camping, but my focus is to build it in the direction of reliable towing. It doesn't have to be a real powerhouse, just more efficient. I'd be happier with a little less fuel consumption for cruising on long tow trips (and yes, I'd like more power).
Which brings me to why I posted. I don't like carburetors; mostly the way they **** at dealing with elevation changes. I live right on the side of a windy mountain pass and have to tow over it frequently. By the time I get to the top, the thing is running so rich I could probably reburn the exhaust gas.
I have two possible solutions and I'm looking for advice or feedback (to keep this truck running it has got to be pretty cheap).
Solution 1: swap in the 5.0 ** from my 91 Lincoln Mark VII field racing car (body spent, motor strong). I know I would need to buy a clutch and flywheel, but will it mount to the 435 bellhousing? Will it use the same motor mounts? What other issues might I not be thinking of? I'm good with electrical stuff, so that's not a problem.
Solution 2: Holley Pro-jection TBI for my existing engine. The 351m in the truck has been rebuilt (stock) and has proven itself reliable, which is why I'm tempted to just leave it in. I've never used or seen this FI system before, but it seems to pride itself on simplicity and reliability (no laptop required, just rotary knobs). About $1200 with the cost of a new 4bbl intake manifold.
I'm leaning toward the Holley because I know moreso what to expect, and since my garage is tiny (for a motor swap). I've heard it compared to giving birth when I back the truck out.
Wow, long introductory post! Thanks for reading and any advice would really be appreciated.
By the way, any other users in Vermont???
Paul
