engine swap question 5.0 to a 4.9 300

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

broncodriver33

New member
Joined
Jun 7, 2007
Messages
59
Reaction score
0
Location
Palmyra, Pa
Ok guys I come to you with a question I am sure some you out there will be able to answer.  Want to swap a 4.9 straight 6

with 4 speed tranny out of an 85 f150 2wd to a 84 f150 4x4 with a 5.0 and automatic tranny.  So Will the 4.9 fit the automatic tranny with out any modifications??   If modifications are need what are they??  just so you know the 84 5.0 is blown and the 85 will then be used for parts to fix my true baby which is my 86 bronco :D /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> thank you

for your assistance

 
Last edited by a moderator:

Bully Bob

TOP GUN
Moderator
Joined
May 23, 2004
Messages
3,844
Reaction score
12
Location
Boulder City, Nevada (Las Vegas area)
I think you need to do more research.

The labor involved may out weigh whatever savings assumed  by changing engines.

One being motor mount removal & new ones welded on.

Option would be to part-out the I-6 eng. & trannie, then use that $$$ to purchase a crate eng. or the like.

This would/could be done with many less headaches... IMHO.

BTW-- that I-6 is a good eng. --- Going fr. V-8 to I-6 would likely req. adv. mechanical training/experience.

 

miesk5

96 Bronco 5.0
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Oct 18, 2005
Messages
9,078
Reaction score
1,045
Location
Floating in the Pacific
yo Bronco Driver,

As BOB Advised, Research - at  swapping in the I6, at fordsix.com

Here is some info for now;

Brad wrote;  Click on Brad wote to view the site;

here are excerpts less the pics.

started collecting parts to swap the 5.0 with an inline six. I've always liked the six, it's simplicity, reliability and torque. And, if it picks up a little extra MPG's, that's a win too!

This weekend, I started the engineicon1.png swap. BTW, this is the first time I've ever replaced an engine, but I've been reading articles on this forum and others, and believe that I am as prepared as I can be.

I've taken some pictures along the way to document what I did and will point out any particular areas of difficulty if someone else attempts this swap.

Getting Started:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/8992144511_1e5b1568c9_c.jpg

"...started at about 1pm Saturday and reached this point by about 6pm. Ready to separate the engine from the transmission...about to hit a major roadblock!

HINT: It is CRITICAL to know the number of bolts that attach the engine and transmission! Some are hard to see and if you don't get them all, you will waste a LOT of time and effort!

The Ford 5.0 has 6 bolts that connect the engine and transmission.


There are also 4 nuts that attach the flexplate to the torque converter. You simply remove the inspection plate on the transmission, and remove the nuts one at a time. You or someone, will have to rotate the engine so that you can access all four.

Once all nuts and bolts have been removed, I lifted the engine so that the engine mounts were clear of the frame. I then put a 2x4 under the transmission and lifted it with a hydraulic lift and heard a distinct "pop" as the engine and transmission separated.

I then started to raise the engine and move it forward to clear the hood and radiator support. This is the exciting part!it is a vacuum advance distributor...I have the Offenhauser intake and the efi dual exhaust manifolds. Going to use the Edelbrock 500 4 barrel.

I'm pretty excited about it. I've used Edelbrock's before and have had great experiences with them...set and forget.

I may ultimately go to a throttle body efi setup at some point...or I may not. I'll drive it with the carb for awhile and see how it goes.

First, I removed the old perches (302) and installed the new perches(I6). Took a little longer that I thought it would, but it's done!

RANT...Why would someone design perches that have 4 bolts on 1 perch (easy to remove) and 2 bolts and 4 HD rivets on the other??? Why the rivets? Just to make some engineer laugh is what I'm thinking.
BangHead.gif


Anyway the old perches are gone and the new perches are in.

Next, I mounted my Fuel Pressure Regulator on the firewall where it will be out of the way, but yet accessible (that's the play anyway). It's an aeromotive 13301, an adjustable, universal, carb/EFI FPR. It come with 2 springs, one for fuel pressure from 3-20 lbs and the other for 20-60 lbs. It is made for a return line and also has a boost reference port just in case you ever want to run some boost! It was a little pricey..about $130, but this thing is a piece of artwork! The reviews on it are very good, so I think it was the perfect choice for now and for future upgrades.

Here's a link for anyone interested: http://aeromotiveinc.com/products-pa...ass-regulator/
 

The I6 block is an 89 block(EFI) and the mechanical fuel boss is filled in. I am planning on using the stock fuel pump, but dropping the pressure to 3-4 lbs and sending the rest back through the return.

I'm doing it this way for several reasons...
1. The stock fuel pump will be more than adequate for the carb
2. If I do switch back to EFI at some point, the stock fuel pump will still be fine
3. The FPR is boost referenced, so if I do a turbo, the FPR will match the fuel pressure with the boost.

A little more expense and setup up front, but I am set for the future regardless of how I go.

The stand alone controller is a done deal, I already purchased it...it was the most expensive piece of the entire project so far...but now I have a programmable transmission controller that I can program my shift points with and it stores 2 setups...a highway and a towing setup for example. I thought long and hard about the controller; or swapping to a c6 or aod or a zf5, but in the end, except for going stock efi, this was the cheapest way to go and I have better control of the transmission now.

If I go efi, I want to be able to control/program it. I know I can do it with the stock efi unit, but that has it's own learning curve and I need to get this up and going as quickly as possible.

So, for now, I have a plan and am working the plan. I am confident that I can make what I have work well and perhaps improve it in the future with efi.
I thought the installation of the I6 would take about 30 minutes tonight, and it took right at 3 hours.

Although the I6 is narrower than the 5.0, it is a little longer which provides it's own challenges getting it in the engine bay.

11doh.gif
Tip: When installing the engine to the engine mounts, loosen them up so that they have a little play in them. That makes it easier to move them and line them up with the engine mounts.

Do this the first time and you won't have to loosen them after tightening them down

Interesting tidbit about these engine mounts...the original mounts have a tab on the top and the bottom...1 is about an inch away from the stud, and the other is about a half inch from the stud. This makes them interchangeable. The mounts in the picture have 1 tab that is about an inch from the stud(it is to the right of the stud in the picture)...so it fits perfectly on one side, but not on the other. I double and triple checked and there wasn't another part number for a left and a right...the 2698 says it for both left and right, 4WD. So, to make one of them work, I drilled a hole in the engine perch a little further out so that it would fit. Kinda strange that the mfg. of the mount hasn't caught this, but it was a fairly easy work around..."

======

muscletruck7379 did a similar swap; but w/Less Details

He wrote; "...my bronco is in the middle of a 302 to 300 swap. I probably wouldn't trade a good running 302 for a six. but since i got mine back with blown engine and torn up front clip, its wasn't that big of a deal. mine is getting a megasquirt II controller and a dual range aux tranny so i can keep it running in the sweet spot. it's not meant to be fast, just reliable and efficient. plus its easier to work on and looks sharp for not even being complete yet.

the bell housings are the same between the 302 and 300, but you need to use the 300 specific flywheel because the balance is different. radiator in/out is different, see motor mount pic below..."

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/mattbox87/automotive/IMG00284-20100916-1644.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b159/mattbox87/automotive/DSC00144.jpg

Dr D wrote in same thread; "...mounts bolt on/off I got my set from LMC. I went with DUI/Holley so no computer for me. The dash unit works with out changes. In fact, this was a simple swap with the hardest part getting the long I6 nestled down into place. Clifford and Classic Inlines have performance parts for the 300. I got my build from the fordsix forum and am very happy with it."

 
OP
OP
B

broncodriver33

New member
Joined
Jun 7, 2007
Messages
59
Reaction score
0
Location
Palmyra, Pa
thank you this will help. and while we are on the subject the 4.9L has about 175,000 on it. I would like to freshen up the motor a bit with out doing a complete rebuild. What would the best way of going about that. Do you think new seals and gaskets would do it.  I haven't did a compression check or anything like that, however I do currently drive it everyday and doesnt seem to lack any compression, nor does it smoke or use oil.  just seems to lack alittle power and runs a little rough

 

miesk5

96 Bronco 5.0
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Oct 18, 2005
Messages
9,078
Reaction score
1,045
Location
Floating in the Pacific
yo,

Good part is that the 4.9 doesnt seem to lack any compression, nor does it smoke or use oil!

New seals could be helpful since you'll have easier access to rear main, valve cover, Front Oil Seal,  etc.

as well as checking for leaky freeze plugs.

Depending upon $ availability; listy could grow to incl t'stst & gasket; new water pump....

Running rough, check for vacuum leaks, see my post @ http://broncozone.com/topic/23994-90-58l-getting-continuous-code-33-and-running-code-44/

Spark Plug Inspection Chart by Ford @ https://www.motorcraftservice.com/pubs/content/~WSPM/~MUS~LEN/20/SPM37008.HTM

spark plug condition..

 

Seabronc

New member
Joined
May 22, 2004
Messages
7,315
Reaction score
35
Location
North of NYC
Assuming that there are no compression or oil pressure issues, at the least you could do a quick and dirty top end refresh, (springs, seals, maybe lifters, rod caps [some rods have a small cap on the top to reduce wear]), (parts are not very expensive).  Using the right proceedure, you could do that yourself without even removing the head,  or have a shop do it.  The advantage of having a shop do it for you is that they would do valves.  It's also possible for you to do parts of it and have the shop do the parts that you don't have the tools for.

If the compression is not good, then you would need to figure out if it is rings or valves.  Low oil pressure may mean the rod bearings are in need of replacement, though this can be controlled for several years with 50W oil an Lukas oil treatment. 

Lots of options form the quick and dirty to a full rebuild or even a new long block.  Just depends on what you can do/afford.

Good luck,

:)>-

 
Last edited by a moderator:
OP
OP
B

broncodriver33

New member
Joined
Jun 7, 2007
Messages
59
Reaction score
0
Location
Palmyra, Pa
hey just wanted to tell you all thanks and you guys are awesome and very helpful. I went to brads post on full size broncos and popped him some questions and he was able answer my questions I don't think doing the swap will be too bad. People think I am crazy but I just have a passion for these early 80's ford bronco's and trucks. Now I am off to read your other post. thanks again

 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
22,710
Messages
137,179
Members
25,450
Latest member
Coastersfwb
Top