Newby in Colorado Springs

[Alleycat]

Hey All,

Just joined FSB today.... pretty cool site. Bought a '79 XLT several years ago and the wife has decided I either need to fix it or sell it. Well, since I don't want to sell it and divorce is not an option, I guess I'd better fix it. So, before I get myself in too deep or do the wrong thing, I'm looking for some locals (or someone long distance) who has actually "used" their Bronco to give me some advice.

My Bronco is currently sitting... blew the power-valve on the carb and can't pass emissions. Since I'm blowing excessive oil, I thought I'd replace the 351M engine (unless you guys have a better idea.... maybe something cheaper). It has a 4" lift... but still has itty-bitty tires (and looks kinda funny). Took out a tree so I have a few dents to fix along passenger side... minor body rust over rear wheels and in tree dents. Ran great... but ate gas and oil... before I parked it.

I'd apppreciate any advice passed my way. I've been looking through tech articles but wanted some firsthand experience to guide me.

I got a 90 so can only help so much.

I would Get meats (35's), 4.56 gears, swap in 400 for 351 for the high altitiude CO trails, and lock it when you can swing the cash. But what do I know about a 79? Welcome!

[ZOSO]

Hey I have a shortblock 460 for sale. Its 30 over and has a comp cams 268h cam. The heads need to be rebuilt. I had just pulled it out of my 79 and decided to build a new 460. It has around 30k since rebuild. To swap it in you can get all the l&l parts to make it easy. Id say swap the 460 in as you get gobs of power. Real easy to swap and will bolt right up to the tranny. I want 200 for the 460 but it will need some parts to complete. Don't worry about the body work. Put some 35 and 4:56 gears and go.


oh and welcome to the site.

[Alleycat]

I've thought about getting a bigger engine but wanted the Bronco to be sort of both off-road and street-usable. Is switching to a 400 or 460 going to put me in the poor house with todays gas prices? I'll admit with a blown power-valve in the carb, I'm getting about 7 mpg right now. But before it went... I was getting around 13. Not sure it that's good or not.. but monthly gas was cheaper than a new car payment.

I know I'll need larger tires... but will I need a larger lift to go up to 35's? Will 35's run poorly as a day-to-day driver?

I assume by saying I need to re-gear it... you are implying the rear end? What is a 4:56 as compared to what I have now? Does it give me more torque, etc. Sorry for being ignorant.

[TTBlows]

A properly tuned 460 can get mileage as good as your old 351M

4.56 is a gear ratio, yes. You need to re-gear both front and rear diffs. Your current ratio is most likely 3.50, 3.54 or 3.55 (all the same more or less). The gearing change offsets the larger tires you want to install, giving the motor back it's mechanical advantage over the (larger) tires.

35's arent' bad for a daily driver IMO.

[ZOSO]

Well I was gettin around 4mpg with the old 460 but the heads need to be rebuilt and it all depends on how you drive. I have seen 13-14mpg outa my 460 when it was running right. You will not need to go to a bigger lift for 35s. There is more than enough room to fit 35s with a 4in. IF you wanna stay with the 351/400m then talk to jopes on how to build a nice 400. Also check out projectbronco.com for more info on 78-79broncos. And you could even run 4:10 gears with 35s if you want a little more streetable drive. Are you running a auto or manual. You could even stay with the 3:55s but it will put a lot of stress on the engine and will suck offroad. If you dont want to change all the accy. brackets then build yourself a 400. IT would be even a little cheaper to keep the 351/400.

[Alleycat]

It's auto... It's got lots of accessories that I want to keep (A/C, Cruise control, etc) and I wasn't sure if I had to pull that if I swap engines.

So, I guess my best bet is to rebuild so I can keep the street performance? I was told the engine has "blow-by" or "blow-back" which is supposedly why I'm getting oil out of the top of the valve covers (oil inlet). I wasn't sure if this was fixable or if the engine was too worn. A friend mentioned something about "re-sleeving" it.

If it's fixable, what is the advantage of boring it out to a 400 versus getting it re-sleeved? Needless to say, I'm not doing the work myself....

Also, if anyone local starts working on theirs... I'd appreciate the chance to come by to watch and learn and drink a few beers.

[mixedup4x4]

WELCOME.........I'M HERE AT FT CARSON WITH AN 88

[coloranger]

Hey Alleycat... glad you found this board... lots of good help here... to resleeve your engine... requires you to pull it and machine it basicly a rebuild. I'm not a real fan of sleeving.. depending on how bad yours is you could just rebuild yours.

I'll let you know when I am working on mine (mostly after work, little here and there) need to put my engine in so that would give you a good idea of work involved.

[coloranger]

Hey bradley... Peterson here....

[badmilk]

Originally Posted by coloranger

I'll let you know when I am working on mine (mostly after work, little here and there) need to put my engine in so that would give you a good idea of work involved.

dude if you need any help throwing that motor i would like to see the process. i can even bring beer

[BoulderBronco]

Sweet dude I'll be back out there in no time.

[coloranger]

Originally Posted by badmilk

dude if you need any help throwing that motor i would like to see the process. i can even bring beer

Probably be a couple of weeks.. this weekend is booked but I'll let you know.