Ford Windsor Forums

Guys and gals, I have an '86 full size Bronco with a 300 six backed by a TOD 4 speed. I know it's not the most desired trany, but I would like to swap in a Windsor. Eventually I have a 460 to put in it, but that's later...

I understand the bell pattern is the same and everything should be straight forward, my questions are more on balancing. Do I need a V8 from a manual trans donor, or can I swap flex plate for flywheel and be done? Is there any chance the I-6 flywheel would work on the back of a Windsor? If I were to use a V8 from an auto donor, what do I need to make this swap work?

I'd prefer the 351, but would settle for a 302 if the swap is easier. Looking for cheep, easy, drive it in a few weeks. That's why I'm using the TOD for now.

I've done a search on here, and answered some questions I had, but this one still seems to remain un-answered, or maybe I just missed it, but I'm pretty new to the Windsor family (big block kinda guy) and would appreciate any help someone can give.

 Thanks in advance,

Marcus

 

I don't know  the answer to most of the tranny questions..  but the diffference betwween 351 and 302 would not be an issue with the tranny.  I think these things were designed for the 460 size blocks, so why not go with the 351, or even better, a 400+-  cubic inch version of a 351?

 

You need some cubes with this big vehicle.  I had one I believe the same year (1986) , put a real radical 460 in it, and it actually ran mid 12's in street-legal condition on the NOX.

 I wonder what you're trying to do?  If you want a race car, get a race car. If you want to tow, that 300 straight six, with some (relativelly) inexpensive mods, will tow about anything.  If you want to do what I did, and spend a lot of money to get 8 mpg tops, that's cool too.  Because I embarrassed a lot of cars with a darn Bronco. We used to race on the beach in Galveston Texas, where it was legal to drive.  And I don't remember losing to anybody. 

Hey thanks for the reply. I have a 460 that I plan to put in it some day. But I'll need a tougher tranny (TOD will never hold up to a built 466, and the gears between 2nd and 3rd are too far apart) She will also need a 9in rear, mine has an 8.8.

I had this engine in a 80 F350 std axle 4X4, and I was breaking parts in it, so I'm pretty sure the Bronco's smaller, weaker parts won't hold up. I also want to lift the chassis 6" and the body 3" to run a straight axle up front and 38" Boggers or Thornbirds.

My idear is, while I'm rounding up these parts, why not stick a 351W in it and drive it. I'm not planing on towing anything, and as far as race cars, I have a '00 Dakota R/T and a '60 Small block powered Chevy short bed, so I'm covered there, and the wife's 4.7 powered Durango will tow anything I need to.

I don't know what's up with the 300, and I don't want to spend big $'s to get the 6 cyl running and still have a 6 cyl. I'm a V8 kinda guy, and big block one at that, not to take anything away from the 300, but it's not at all what I want. If I could find a cheep, running Windsor (bigger the better) I could at least use it while buying the parts I need to build the toy I want. Wouldn't mind having it right now with the 7-10" of snow we got in South East Ohio...

Thanks again,
Marcus

The 302 or 351 will fit the existing bellhousing just make sure that you use a flywheel for the engine that you install as the 6 cylinder flywheel balances different than the V8. Engine mounts are factory items as well, it will all just bolt together with the correct parts. Happy wrenchin'.