bronco 2 needs tlc. . .

[jjvblack]

hey all new here, i have this super clean 87 eddie bauer edition bronco 2 that cant get up to 60mph anymore. it has been sitting for a few years, but, idles well, and runs well, just no power. some stuff i know is wrong with it but am not sure is the main cause for the gutlessness is; passenger side manifold needs replaced, and when i removed the throttle body to peak into the upper intake there is about 20 years of carbon build-up, that i am sure has graced the valves with its presence too. i am gonna take off the stock air box and replace it with a angled cone k&n. also it sputters, will lose power even with it floored. i guess what i am asking is should i, could i get it to like 20mpg and have it be relativly cheap? if so after i start making some money i think i might do a MAF switch and buy new heads, and port/polish it. just not sure if its worth the work and money. the thought of a 4.0l swap sounds nice but also sound like alot of fab work.. well let me know what you think. CHEERS!

 

[Psychopete]

Sounds like a shipwreck like my car was. The thing had no power and constantly wanted to die. Basically the PO didn't know how to fix it and it was a cheap enough car that it wasn't worth taking into a mechanic. I've fixed more issues with it than I care to type out, but now it gets me to work everyday and runs good now.

I would recommend checking the vitals if you want to know if it's worth putting any money into. Check your fuel pressure, check your compression in each cylinder, check your timing chain for slack. Tune up; fuel filter, plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, etc. You are on the right track though; if the engine seems sound, then fix what you know is wrong and go from there. Go over the vacuum lines, too - all of them. Once you've run out of obvious things that need addressed, start looking for codes in the computer.

88+ computer swap would get rid of your EGR and would be easier than a MAF conversion with basically the same results. You should really consider keeping your stock air box, but that is your call.

Heard good things about Seafoam and carbon build up, but I have never used it.

Not much fab work for a 4.0L swap honestly, the biggest hurdle is mostly wiring.

 

[jjvblack]

yea i got it in the shop, the compression was surprisingly good in all 6 cylinders, i got 2 new cylinder heads going on from world products, there gonna clean the uper and lower intake and valves to check for damage due to the carbon build-up. they even said there gonna do a small port/polish just a gasket match, but hey it helps. i got lucky too gonna do a trade of services i wire his new shop and he fixs the bronco. so i shouldnt have to pay for anything other than parts. whats the reasoning on keep that stock air box? the opening is only like 4x1 in the grill. what kind of gains would i get from a 88+computer over a MAF? i might do headers too but i dont wanna be changing gaskets every year.

 

[Psychopete]

Sounds like a good deal.

whats the reasoning on keep that stock air box? the opening is only like 4x1 in the grill.

It pulls fresh air from the front of the truck. IMHO, you would be far better off modifying the stock system; not to mention it would be low cost. You ultimately could use a cone filter if you manage to pull air from outside; otherwise you are sucking in heat and dirt being thrown around by the cooling fan.

what kind of gains would i get from a 88+computer over a MAF? i might do headers too but i dont wanna be changing gaskets every year.

There wouldn't be much gain there. But either route you went with a newer computer, end result is that you can eliminate that problematic EGR system. If you stuck with a 88+ federal emissions computer, you wouldn't have the cost of the MAS.

I had pace setters on mine for 5 years and never touched them..

 

[rusty70f100]

The other thing the stock airbox does for you is it regulates the inlet air temperature. Note that there's an heat duct door upstream from the air box that allows some heat to be pulled off the exhaust manifold. It's controlled by a bimetal sensor in the airbox.

If you just put a cone filter on, you will disable this system and your mileage could suffer.

 

[jjvblack]

wow thanks for the tip, i went by the shop to peek at it and i think i am gonna keep it on now with all the helpful advice. i think i might be able to cut out the piece befor the box for a wider piece of tubing, i'll post pics of what i do to. my mechanic said the same, and that if i was gonna change it to do a cold air intake but, they dont make em specificly for bronco II's; and would probably be a hassle. tomorrow i am gonna head to the junk yard for a electric fan & hopefully a computer. CHEERS!

 

[jjvblack]

I had pace setters on mine for 5 years and never touched them..

you wouldnt happen to have a part number for these would you? i cant seem to find anyone that has a set for my bronco II.

 

[jjvblack]

also i was wondering about a 88+ computer swap. is it anything +88 thats ranger and bronco II until like 95? is it a bolt on swap, what are some of the details befor i tackle this job? any help would be awesome, cheers!

 

[RustedRanger]

I use a cone filter on the end of my stock air tube....didn't hurt mileage. I have the filter where the stock air box is without the lid. Mine doesnt have any type of diverter in the air box. Last time I checked mileage I was getting an avg of 22. It still gets cool air from the air box and I block it off behind the grill in winter.