Are there any thinner head gaskets availeable for the 351W . Need to bump the compression up on my 94' Eddie Bauer Bronco. It is a rebuilt motor and does not have anywhere near the power the stock motor had . I figure they used low compression pistons . For a Ford the Bronco used to pull great ,now it's real lackluster . I also have a plan for a larger cam/exhaust and ignition .I've heard the real problem doing any mods to this engine is the OBD-2 computer is real picky . I could use some good ford wisdom . Thanks, Steve
If its a 94, its doubtful its obd2. Its more likely eec4. Regardless, they don't take too well to mods...if you want real horspower, prolly best off to carburate it. That said, you CAN get a bigger throttle body, use a motorsport specified cam, bigger injectors, headers, I'm pretty sure theres a # of choices for cylinder heads, but if your gonna change cam and heads, you may need a different computer, and you may experience driveability issues...rolling idle and such. Stock fuel pump is also an issue with those. If you go to the mustang lovers of America site, youll prolly get better info, though. Alot of those guys plop 351's in their little peanut cars.
After re-reading your post, I wonder if the install went wrong? Is the check engine light on? Was the timing set in the correct sequence? As far as I know, there was only one choice for pistons in the 351 in 94. Sounds to me like there may be some other issue. Ive also seen rebuilts come with the timing chain off a tooth or the wrong gear set! Also, make sure the spout connector was plugged back in after setting the timing.
Thanks Steve . The install went smooth as it can for a Ford 4x4 Bronco with that huge plenum ,,WHAT a PITA getting it in and out .No engine lights are on . It spent a week in the shop after the install . Rats' or a "Saber Tooth Tree Rat" (squirrel-the nest was basketball sized) got into the engine bay and ate the injector harness and a "host" of other wires . When the engine started it missed on the 4 center cylinders . Turned out I soaked the computer with the pressure washerou: . Anyway it has all new injectors (stock 19lb.hr.) set @ 12* initial timing . Yeah it's a 1 year only vehicle (found out when I tried to replace the injector harness ,ended up buying repair ends from Ford and did it myself. I'm confident it's right . It's all stock except a K/N filter , 3.55 (I beleive) locker rear end , 31x10.5x15 BFG's All Terrains and Rancho 9000's on all corners . Had 31's since I bought the truck 3 yeas ago. Before the engine went (164k+) it could break the tires loose no problems , it actually pulled like a mule !! To top it off I could "crowd" the 400 mile mark on a tank . Passing on the highway was effortless,cracked a "ton" a few times , but mostly 85-90 mph. from 70-75 was right there .Now it basically falls on it's face about 75-80 , and the low-end grunt is nowhere what it used to be . I pull heavy loads , tree stumps , boulders etc. here on our property . How are you on engine theory ? I've got one on this engine but I'm no combustion scientist . Anyway , it goes like this : Larger bore , lower compression (old engine-160+dry , new engine 125 across the board ) ,same camshaft profile , same timing same injectors . So: Larger Bore-Increased volume and stock cam - Cylinders are not sucking and blowing to their full potential . That was why I was hoping I could find steel shim head gaskets like on our Buicks , a larger cam (Not Radical) I don't want to loose driveability . Basically getting more mix into the engine and out . Uncork the exhaust a bit , get rid of the 2 "cat-boxes" and go to the newer spun-metallic high flow cats and maybe a 3" in / 2.5" out magnaflow or dynomax muffler . I'm finding it hard to get much over 300 miles to the tank with about 4k on the new engine .It's great mechanically and looks great for a 167+k Bronco . Bit of a quandry for sure . Thanks for the heads up , Steve
Steve, Check out Summit or Jegs. Are you Sure it's the same cam and these things (351's) love aftermarket heads. Gt40's, Edelbrock performers or Trick flows all work. I run a set of out of the box TF's on my Ranger, 11.90s @ 116mph. It likes them!:TU:
Try fordmuscle.com...lots of answers there. 125 seems like awfully low cranking compression for a brand new engine. I'd suspect something else...rings not seated perhaps? Cam timed way off?
I'm betting you have a retarded cam. Ford did some b.s. things with cam and crank gears over the years. Who knows what combination could be in a rebuilders special.
DITTO !!!!!:laugh: Hey , What is a correct aftermarket timing set for my 351 ? Too boot I've got serious electrical draw that has developed over the last week AARRRGGGHHHH DAMM FERDS ANYWAY !!!!!!! The battery has been draining down in 3-4 days . Head light switch has been giving me "fits" ( panel lights dim on their own and the overhead console flickers on and off depending how hard I hit the rocks on our road) for some time . I pulled it today and the dimmer coil was popped out of the porcelin and looked like a pigs tail on acid . I'm hoping that's the problem . If it ain't one damm thing it's another . Steve
I'm pretty sure the 94 Bronco still has a speed density style fuel injection. Which means you can't really change too much outside of the exhaust without screwing up the program for the injection. Ford made a mass airflow conversion kit for people that wanted to try and get a little more power out of the Broncos. I keep thinking about putting it on my 89 302 Bronco. I have a new 302 shortblock I picked up from Ford years ago. Been sitting bagged up waiting for the engine to expire. Then I'd like to put some better heads and cam in it for more fun. Damn thing keeps running though, I have 322,000 miles on it :TU: I bought it with 80,000 miles on it. Never had the valve covers off of it, original trans as well. Biggest thing I've ever changed on the engine/trans was an oil pan gasket and a timing chain cover gasket!
Figures , I'm thinking about selling it and getting a truck . The Bronco limits me when I need to haul things . If that's the case I've got to hook up either my 16' or my 8' truck bed trailer . Kind of a PITA . If we go to an auction or a spur of the moment "I need some lumber" type thing . The Bronco runs great for sure ,I just miss a bed . 300k miles plus ! Great ! I thought I was doing good @ 165+ . So I guess then do the exhaust and settle for that or get something different . Thanks for the heads up on that Speed Density system . Steve
No problem! Yeah, I hear you on the hauling stuff. I finally got an F-250 Crew Cab, but much to my wifes dismay, I kept the old Bronco. It's me work beater :laugh: I put on a cat back exhaust frm Gibson and a K&N air filter. Don't think I can do much more than that.
I especially like the "wife part" and still keeping the Bronco :Brow: It's a dang shame about that speed density system . I'd like a mild cam on top of the exhaust and a hotter ignition . Our Bronco is a good vehicle . It's great in the snow and off road . We live on a dirt road where pavement is 2 creeks away in the wet weather and 1 mile half of that uphill . In the other direction it's 4 miles to pavement and 40 miles round trip for shopping and most other things . So a good vehicle is a must around here . The draw was actually my light switch and 2 year old battery . This road shakes the guts loose . I've had the truck 3 years and I'm on my 4 th. battery . Common sense tells me to get an Optimus (red top ?) one of these days . Steve
Yeah, she's always, why don't you get rid of that ugly thing? It's paid for and it's been a reliable daily ride. Although with gas prices the way they are now, it ain't to stingy on the fuel, especially with a 53 mile commute one way :idea2:
