83 Bronco With Straight 6

dranger · Sep 2, 2004

I would like to find out what other engines would bolt into my bronco? Like 302 or 351W. I have a straight 6 300, with a 3speed with overdrive manual trans. Any help would be nice. Thanks

Shadow_D · Sep 2, 2004

Welcome to the Bronco Zone!

I would think you can put anything in but you will need to get the correct wiring harness, computer, motor mounts, etc. etc. etc.
I don't know about the manual transmissions though. There is enough room under the hood for anything you can think of.

BLADE262US · Sep 2, 2004

Hello you will need to change the steel motor mounts that are attached to the frame . The ones for the 300 six are special for that motor . If you go to a junk yard after the V8 ones you will need torches as there are only like 2 bolts on one and i think 3 on the other and the rest of it is attached by the acorn rivets ( must have torch or alot of patience with a grinder .) . A 351W or a 302 will bolt to your 300 six tranny but you must use a V8 flywheel or it will more than likely have a weird vibration that you wont be able to account for. ( been there ) You will also need to change the radiator because the lower radiator hose comes out the opposite side as a V8 . You should have a bigger radiator anyway for the V8 because the six radiator should be a single core and it will overheat when worked hard ( been there also ) If you really dont want to change the radiator and think it will cool it ok you can get a water pump for like a 1966 comet it is for a 302 and comes out same side as six cylinder radiator . If you really want to go this route I can get the casting number off the one I have so you can get a new one .( Many people argued with me that thye didnt make a water pump for a V8 that dumped out same side as a six but they kinda got quiet when I showed it to them.) Reason I know all this is I had a 1983 3/4 ton F250 that had exactly that combination when i got it , was fun trying to figure out what someone else had peiced together . Hope this helps .

dranger · Sep 2, 2004

Thanks for the help.

sweepersrgr8 · Sep 3, 2004

The old small blocks lower hose was opposite the the new ones, so blade is right. A '69 ford w/351W will work also. Jeff's has new towers for a 460 swap, but are $212 a set.

sweepersrgr8 · Sep 3, 2004

P.S. If you want a serprntine belt , you will need to change the radiator, or fab some pipe to cross over, as serpentine is reverse rotation pump.

Jeff Larsen · Sep 8, 2004

Hey when you make the sawap go to a 351W or bigger.... the I6 is a much better engine in a truck than the 302....

BLADE262US · Sep 9, 2004

Hello I just scraped that old 3/4 ton I had and I have no use for the flywheel anymore it will need to be resurfaced but it is the one you need to put a V8 against that tranny for balance reasons . Let me know if your interested in it . [email protected]

offroadford4x4 · Sep 9, 2004

you could even put in a 460 if ya realy wanted. Although it takes special motor mounts. I think Hooker offers a swap kit that includes the motor mounts and headers specific for the swap.

Windchaser · Sep 9, 2004

Yeah, when I put the 460 in mine it took a little jimmy riggin but a 250's mounts worked and www.broncograveyard.com has a set of headers for 495.00 that will fit in the frame rail.