Hello, glad to be apart of this forum! I have plans to drop a 429ci in an early Bronco. Has anybody here done this before? I did a search and found a little bit of info on this, but only a few threads going back about ten years. I'm also apart of classicbroncos.com and have asked around there too, with mixed response - Either it's too hard to do, or go for it because that would be sweet.
This engine is coming from a 1969 Mercury Marquis that I picked up a month ago. I'm going to run a C6/205 behind it. I plan on using the original motor towers on my frame and buying some L&L motor mounts. I have no idea how to cool this beast, I may relocate the radiator to the back of the vehicle. Anybody here done this, what problems will I run into? I have a 2" body lift, and will cut out my inner fender wells/core support under the hood to make room.
I don't know much about the 429 except what I've read from this site and others the last four weeks. All the EB's I've had before came with a 302. I'm excited about this, and looking for any advice or helpful info for you guys. I'll get pictures up soon of my Bronco, it's nothing special but I plan on getting going soon!
I don't know much about the 429 except what I've read from this site and others the last four weeks. All the EB's I've had before came with a 302. I'm excited about this, and looking for any advice or helpful info for you guys. I'll get pictures up soon of my Bronco, it's nothing special but I plan on getting going soon!
Hey good to have ya here, we have been toying with the idea.
You will have to cut the firewall out core supports will be trimmed & tubed. Might want a flip front for easy access.
Rad will go in the back, move the motor mounts back or use a plate system. Cross-member for the transfer-case will have to be made & the frame notched. Drive shafts will be shortened in the rear & lengthen the front.
Depends on the amount of body lift to see what needs to be cut out for the trans tunnel, 2-3" will help the conversion.
Other than that it is a piece of cake. Start tearing down the mill & start reading the engine build archive.
Take the block in to the machine shop, get it baked, blasted, mag tested, bored, decked, line bore. Hone to fit your new .030 Diamond forged Pistons, you will need some new truck rods min.
Cam choice will be made after you decide in the gears & tire size. Keep in mind Bigger is always Better....
Rad will go in the back, move the motor mounts back or use a plate system. Cross-member for the transfer-case will have to be made & the frame notched. Drive shafts will be shortened in the rear & lengthen the front.
Why notch the frame? Use a ZF 2WD tranny with a 6 cylinder EB adapter/spud shaft and you can use the stock transfer case and then no driveshaft mods needed. Just need to make a new spud shaft with the ZF output on one side (Use 2WD flange) and the D20 on the other. A good machine shop should be able to do it for you with your pieces. Oh forgot to mention, you can use your stock crossmember too.
Shouldn't a rad fit if you use a remote electric pump??? I just measures my '66 bronco and I don't see a problem.
No need to cut the Frame or move the Rad. My drive shafts are 27" in back and 27 1/2".
I used 2" angle iron to the stock tranny mounts and stock bronco TC mounts, moved back 3". My Rad and Battery are in the rear but thats weight transfer for mud racing. Sandy Metcalf is a member on here and we race together. He has 460 c6 205 in his EB and is the one who talked me in doing the swap from a T18. I have a 3" body lift and only have 2" suspension, to keep a low center of gravity, you will have to up grade your front springs to handle the weight. What is your intented use for the Bronco?
To fit the 205 I notched the frame a small amount & moved the engine mount towers back some 2-3" to keep the extra weight centered better. And made a custom cross member.
The stock on is pretty small for it. Depends on how hard your going to use it.
Still not done been a back burner thing for a few years, but it is on the bucket list.
I have about 1.5" of clearence between the frame and 205. I have the stock 205 brace setting atop of the frame. Thinking about making a plate to replace the PTO cover with and fabing a plate to mount to the passenger side, so it will be supported on both.I used heavy 2"x3/8" angle for crossmember to keep the bottom flat. Its not real hard to do all this for a swap just plan ahead. If you plan to build high HP build your motor with over kill in mind."very good parts" I built the bronco first then motor and spent last year replacing broken drivetrain parts. Main thing is Have Fun....
I was going to mention that the Bronco the 429 is going in used to be a mud racer. The PO dropped a super nasty 351W in it, won 1st place at a couple of races, then parked it in his shop for six months. He pulled the drivetrain, and axles before selling. I wanted it just the way he had it set up to use for off road use, but by the time I got a hold of it, it was stripped of most of it's glory.
Although I know quite a bit about early Broncos, I am not familiar with some of this stuff, mostly engine. Look forward to learning and contributing to the site where I can.
Those will work might have to move the crossmember back a little. an EB airborn is pretty heavy in the front & they tend to do somersaults.
It is best to move everything back 4" seats firewall & everything if your going to build it like a EB that will mop up every Cheby that shows up.
I have almost gone over a few times with just a little old 550hp 351w in my 76 Bronco Sport. I have a 6" tube rear bumper filled with dry mason sand I am going to try.
They do rule the mud & skip pretty good. 39.5 boggers are going on this year & the new 5.38's Detroit front & Spool rear will let her sing. Now for some hoodies...
I really want to build a 472 EB and we are looking for a way to move everything back to accommodate the weight difference. Looke like I have to shave the small block mounts & move them back or build a set of new risers. We did get beat by a few BBC's = Not cool.
If it ever stops raining I will get the frame out of the barn & start the mock up. I have a 79 Bronco to donate the running gear for the 472 EB build.
Now get going are you done yet.....
edit: Who has some vids of the Red Rooster running down there.
Hey PF. I just saw what city you are from. Do you know the guys that run AMMP mud race's in Searcy? Arkansas Mud Motorsports Park at White county Fair grounds. If you dont get to. Most of them race early Broncos and several have BBFs in them. A bunch of them came down to La. this past Sat. and raced at Mud Truck Madness. Had a bunch of the PRO BADD guys and some Pro Mod guys playing. Fastest time 2.28 in 200' dirt. A group of us will be comming up there later this year.
I don't know them, just about them. I have heard they have a beastly EB that wins the mud bogs. They also have a huge stretch Hummer that they give people rides around in. I was in Texarkana last weekend and passed them on the interstate with it so I knew they were out at an event, didn't know they were down there. Thanks for the info, I will have to go bye their shop and meet them. Let me know when your around this area.
Sure will. They have a red EB that races there, It's called " The Red Rooster ". I saw it up there last year and WOW. Every time he shifted it pulled the front tires off the ground. I thought he was using Nitrous cause I have never seen one do it on motor alone. I heard it has a 632 Big Cheif motor, so that explained it. Check out their web site I think they have a race soon.
George, that Bronco is BAD. One of the problems I am thinking about is the 429/C6/205 being too long, any idea what he is running? The guys I'm thinking about in Searcy have a yellow/blue Bronco called "Flirting with Disaster".
Yea thats their personal Bronco. (yellow/Blue) I don't think you will have any driveline problems. There is too many BBF swaps being done for you not to do it.
If you need a 208 I have one with a c6 adapter you can have for $150, it came
with my c6.
Sad day. The car is under water right now. All this rain has caused the creek to rise and flooded my back yard. I tried to pull the car out at 1 a.m. this morning but almost got stuck myself. The water is over the bumper now with no signs of stopping in the next 2 days. I am sick.
Got the engine running and it sounded good, except a stuck lifter. Ordering a cam and lifter kit soon. I pulled it this weekend and I'm going to start preparations on the Bronco to begin the swap.
Good hearing from yea. How did you make out with the flood?
Their going to have a race up there this weekend, you should go
out there and talk to some of the racers if you still need some ideas on your swap.
Hey George, made it through the flood. It got the lower half of the car, but didn't hurt the engine. I swapped the car to a buddy who is into derbies, so it's all good.
Thanks for the heads up on the race this weekend. BTW I dig the new avatar you have now.
Thanks, wish I had pics of when I first got it. It sat up for 25 years under pine trees
and was rolled 6 times in a wreck. Perfect mud truck candidate. You'll get yours there.
I'm bring this thread back. I am back at it again with the desire to put a BBF in an early Bronco. I ended up putting that 429 in a 78 Bronco and it was pretty easy using L&L products and is a great truck. Sold the EB but have bought a few more since.
Now I'm looking at a 460 for another early Bronco. I know a BBF isn't the best choice and a 351W is much better but I already have one of those and so does everyone else. I love the power and the feel of a big block, hearing them come alive is awesome so I'm going for it. I already have the C6/NP205 and bought a SD 05 D60 front axle and rear 10.5. I've got a couple of feelers out for a 460 and had some hits, may go this weekend to look. I've already bought the 429/460 motor mounts from WCB4x4.com and the frame and body to the truck have been sand blasted and primed. They are currently rolling around on FW D44 and 9".
Update - Bought a donor 1991 F-250 with a 7.5L for my Bronco. Pulling it now and will set it on the rolling Bronco frame and tub, then bolt up my C6/NP205 to see how everything will fit. This thread is useless without pics so hope to get some soon.
I'm still in the building process. I have everything I need, just need to put it all together. I'm slow.... and have two other early Broncos that have taken priority. I will keep you updated!
I can relate to that. I've been at mine for years. I've told everyone that I will drive it in 2017 though
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