78 Bronco Potential Buyer

[eXcali]

I have been looking into the 78 & 79 second gen Bronco as a trail and limited road use vehicle. Right now I have my eye on a 78 that needs an new engine. I've toyed with the idea of throwing a cummings turbo diesel in as I know those are widely available in my area cheap.

I've seen some 351c's floating around, but people want in the tune of $1,400 for the couple I have seen. Is this the common range others are seeing?

The 78 I'm eyeing has a solid body and frame, a 4 inch suspension lift installed in the last year and running 35's. The down side is needing an engine and everything torn out of the interior and replaced.

 

[Justshootme84]

Welcome to Bronco Zone!!! A common engine swap for the 78/79 Bronco is a 460 from a Ford car, van or truck. In my opinion, this is a better choice for a trailrig than the 351Clevland, which is a higher-revving engine with less low-end torque than the 460. JSM84

 

[eXcali]

Welcome to Bronco Zone!!! A common engine swap for the 78/79 Bronco is a 460 from a Ford car, van or truck. In my opinion, this is a better choice for a trailrig than the 351Clevland, which is a higher-revving engine with less low-end torque than the 460. JSM84

Thanks, I have a F250 with the 460 in, it is a large engine... lol I'm not to fond of the 460's ability to drink gasoline, that and the swap will have to be done at my cabin in Michigan, so I'm looking to do it with the tools that I can fit in the back of my explorer. I don't plan on any rock crawling in it, just mud, the woods and maintained trails they have in Michigan.

There is also the chance I will have to either tow it or drive it down to Illinois a couple times each year, so the 460 would **** me there. I'm planning on having a set of 38, maybe 40 inch trail wheels and the stock 35's incase I have to drive it to Illinois. I've heard of people getting mid 20's mpg out of some turbo diesels and wondering what ppl are gettting out of the 460? When I drive my f250, I average about 12mpg highway and 7 or 8 in the city.

 

[cantbecaught4]

Where in Michigan is your cabin?

I have a 351M in my 78 bronco and only get about 12mpg (about 7 mpg when I'm wheelin), so a 460 in tuned right will prob be about the same and could possibly get better. I have a 400 in my garage I am planning on rebuilding and putting in mine. It is the same block as the 351M that would have came in your bronco from the factory so your engine mounts would all be the same. The 400's are a little hard to find though, so I think that a 460 would be a good choice, it bolts right up to the transmission.

I'm not sure if a 351C will bolt up the the C6, that may be something to look into before you buy the engine.

 

[eXcali]

Where in Michigan is your cabin?
I have a 351M in my 78 bronco and only get about 12mpg (about 7 mpg when I'm wheelin), so a 460 in tuned right will prob be about the same and could possibly get better. I have a 400 in my garage I am planning on rebuilding and putting in mine. It is the same block as the 351M that would have came in your bronco from the factory so your engine mounts would all be the same. The 400's are a little hard to find though, so I think that a 460 would be a good choice, it bolts right up to the transmission.

I'm not sure if a 351C will bolt up the the C6, that may be something to look into before you buy the engine.

It's up in Houghton Lake. When I put 351C I mean the Cleveland block compared to the 351W: windsor. I haven't heard back from the seller so the deal may not land. If that happens my search will continue. I'd really love to get a diesel into one of these, that would make my dream trail rig!

 

[78BroncHair]

A 6bt cummins (pickup motor) would not be a hard swap. It seems like this is becoming a popular truck motor. As for the bronco, take into account that a 6 cylinder cummins would take some fabrication work and you may have to cut your firewall and recess it. Add to that the wieght of the cummins and you would end up having to either leaf spring the front end and put 3/4 ton springs up there or figure out something better. As for the Cummins side of the deal a 12 valve cummins (98.5 or earlier year truck) would be an easier swap so you dont have to deal with all the computer stuff. Ive seen the cummins motor putting out about 900 horse and 1600+ foot lb and pulling 20+ mpg. That is on an unlimited budget as you may imagine. But my personal experience with the cummins has been nothing less than delightful. My 95 dodge 4x4 with the 12 valve and a 5 speed has delivered nothing less than 16mpg in the years I have driven it. And although the stock ratings for the 12 valve in my year are 173hp and 400 foot lb I have had no problems pulling or keeping up with traffic.

An alternative you may want to check out is the 4bt cummins. Same as the 6bt but with 2 cylinders cut off. You can get these out of Frito lays trucks and the like. And theyre pretty cheep and easy. From what I hear even smaller tractors (Kabota and the like) come to mind. AND most of them have the same bellhousing as a small block ford. Check out these.