Hi Everyone,
I'm looking for suggestions from those of you with real-world experience on this...

Currently, I'm running a 1966 stock spec 289 (rebuilt <10K miles), but it does have 1993 Mustang fuel injection. It is not a daily driver, but I drive it to trails from Longmont to the Western slope and it lacks power going up Floyd Hill, the Eisenhower tunnel, Vail Pass, etc. I have an NV4500 5 speed and when it slows down below 50 mph in 4th, I have to put it into 3rd and rev it at 4000+rpm until it inches over 50 mph, then upshift. I continue slowly in the right lane at this pace, upshift, downshift, every 1/4 mile or so. It is slow, noisy, and slow!

I would like to have enough horsepower/torque to keep it in 4th the entire climb and maintain 65-70 mph instead of 50 mph. With my gearing, 4th gear at 65 mph is about 2800-3000 rpm, if I recall.

Since my budget is less than $2000, I see these options to fit in this budget
1. Replace engine with a used Mustang/Lincoln 5.0 HO
2. Replace engine with a used Explorer 5.0 (better front dress than Mustang)
3. I have a 5.8 roller cam engine of unknown mechanical condition that I could do a low-budget rebuild, if the cylinders don't need to be bored. This could get a cam and GT40 heads. But this has other cost adders like larger exhaust, BCB intake manifold converter, etc.
4. Do a hydraulic roller cam conversion and GT40 head and intake upgrade on my 289

I run 4.56 axles with 36" IROK bias tires with winch, family cage, and full spare, but I have not weighed it. Maybe 4500 lbs?

Sorry for the long-winded description, but the real question is: does anyone have experience with a similar sized rig that has an engine that will pull the weight and wind resistance up the mountain more like a modern truck? Is the Explorer 5.0 with 125K miles or more from a junkyard capable of this, or do I need more power? Can it get a reliable engine with adequate power inside my budget?

Or, any other ideas?

Thanks!
Gary

I would suggest building that roller 351w and keep the stock truck roller cam, it's a good cam, maybe bump compression a little, and source a lightening lower and gt40 upper, that package with a nice set of bc broncos headers would be a great all around engine

I've been having the same debate with myself. I've been a big fan of the 5.0 Explorer swap, but am now leaning towards a 351. The 5.0 is an easy drop in with no clearance issues and really has enough power for a Bronco. That said, the 351w is more cubes and more torque for the same money and your existing EFI setup should work with no problems. I'm hoping to swap to 37's at some point down the road and the extra torque will just do good things. The 351w is also a stronger block, not that most people are busting 302 blocks in an EB application. The fact that you've already got the 351 just makes that an even easier decision. Any JY engine is going to be in unknown mechanical condition, so you're already money ahead even though you'd need to buy some intake parts.

I'm suffering the same pass pulling problems, 302 w/ 2bbl carb, I'm skipping the 5.0 and going straight to a 351 roller or getting really crazy and going diesel.

I'd have to add the vote for the 351. My engine is from a '94 F-250 Roller built pretty much how you describe and it has some good power. And our broncos sound very similar. It has been a LONG time since I have driven it I-70 WB (may have only done it once to wheeler lake), but I don't remember having too much trouble keeping up with traffic. With 35's and 4.10's, I'd bet you have a slight advantage in gearing over me, even considering larger tires.

And trail ready, with tools and spare etc, I am at 4,650 lbs, no top. I think that's what my figure was.

If you want to blow by traffic then you'll need to loose a few cylinders and add diesel ;-).

J.D.

(LoL Kinder, you posted just before I did, great minds...)

I too have been having this struggle.....

5.0..... 5.8..... 4.9 I6........



I was really wanting to go with the 4.9L I-6, then I started having little pangs of doubt creep in.... finally I went ahead and started a thread much like yours... I have pretty much determined that I need to go with the 351 fuel injected engine, much of the reasoning can be found in this thread here: http://alpineclassicbroncos.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=462

Good luck!

Hey, thanks everyone for the great inputs!

It looks like I will aim for the 351. I'll tear it down and check its internal condition, keeping my fingers crossed that it isn't worn to where I'll need to bore it.

If anyone else has other ideas, I would like to hear them, too!

Gary

Go for the 351W, or even better, make it an easy 393 stroker since it needs building anyway. I have a 5.8 GT-40 lower I could sell, if you go that way.

Hockeydad, read your other thread and the EFI 4.9 has been done into an EB, I did it in 2002. Had a built C-6/Klune-V/D20 behind it and 101" WB.
Joe