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460 engine swap into 81 bronco

  
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460 engine swap into 81 bronco

 
rwar rwar
New User | Posts: 6 | Joined: 02/05
Posted: 02/02/05
11:38 AM

I have an 81 bronco with a 302 and 4sp trans. The question i have... is there a donor truck out there where I can scavenge suck things as:motor mounts, oil pan, etc? I was thinking about maybe a later model f-250 or will early model f-150 w/400ci parts possibly work? I want to keep this swap lo-buck and not have to purchase any thing new or super expensive so wreckeryard parts are my options.Also I have a disk brake setup from a 76 lincoln.....will this bolt onto my current diff in the bronco. Any help with this matter is greatly appreciated.  

 
SnoMan SnoMan
Addict | Posts: 5783 | Joined: 05/04
Posted: 02/02/05
12:09 PM

You will need to beef up front springs a good bit because engine is a lot heavier. You should be able to find parts you need at a bone yard otherwise. A nice warmed 351 would be a easier upgrade and basically a bolt in too.  

 
rwar rwar
New User | Posts: 6 | Joined: 02/05
Posted: 02/03/05
12:21 PM

Thanks for the response...I alredy have heavy springs by way of a pro-comp lift. The 351 idea ive tossed around abit but after the anemic display of power with the current small block i have to go with the big block.Besides.....I tore my 76 lincoln apart already to do this swap ... It would be a shame to have its memory die. It was the best "rig rocket" i owned.  

 
SnoMan SnoMan
Addict | Posts: 5783 | Joined: 05/04
Posted: 02/03/05
01:27 PM

Just remember that with a small block, chevy or ford proper gearing is a must because they need to wind up a bit to make good power. with 33's and 4.56 or deeper and 36's with 5.13's or deeper and a warmed small block you will not at all be disapointed with power as you can get about as much HP out of a small block as a big block, it just takes more RPM to do it thats all. Most people disappoint with small block performance it trucks do not have them properly geared to begin with.  

 
rwar rwar
New User | Posts: 6 | Joined: 02/05
Posted: 02/03/05
03:10 PM

I totally agree with a gearing swap to save the day..but with a set of 373's and 33's in it that little 302 wasnt half bad in town.It was the hwy driving it seemed to run out of steam ,and the milage was terrible ...like 12 mpg! I figured with the upgrade of a tame big block I would have more giddy-up on the hwy without doing a diff swap...my future upgrades include anther 3in of lift and 36's and probably a gear change then ,but that whole scenario is a year or so down the road when I finally burn off these mickey thompsons. Amongst the off roaders in my region the attitude is: theres no replacement for displacement.  

 

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