Engine

11/15/2021

Horse was born four days early on April 7th of 1978 in Michigan, but he was ordered for the California market. As a result, his engine was of California spec, complete with smog pump and assorted emissions hardware. The engine chosen for him was Ford's 351M V8 mated to a C6 automatic transmission.  In 1978 the 351M produced 156 horsepower and 262 lbft of torque and was only available with a 2 barrel carburetor. There were, however, two engine choices that year for the Ford Bronco. The other engine, from the same family, was the 400. It produced 158 horsepower and 276 torques at 2,800 RPM. Those numbers don't seem that great by today's standards, but back in 1978 the 400 was known as The Torque Monster because it made all that torque from almost an idle. 

I picked up A Horse with No Name with just a lot of air residing between his front fenders. Instead, I received his original 73,000 mile California 351M complete on an engine stand as well as a previously rebuilt bright yellow 400, out of a 1979 Bronco of unknown miles, on second engine stand. Thus I was faced with an immediate choice. Do I refresh and reinstall the original engine, preserving the originality of this amazing truck, or do I build a higher-powered version of the larger 400 engine, which would make this truck better to drive and possibly more desirable? I could also scrap both engines in favor of more modern drivetrain, but I'm not quite ready to tackle a project like that. In the end, I decided that the 400 was a better choice for a couple of reasons. First of all, even though the 400 is not the engine Horse was born with, it is still period correct and this particular block did power a Bronco in it's past life. Second, it will make more power than the 351M and is a desirable upgrade in the Bronco community. Third, because I want to and it's my truck. For now. I really think the next owner will agree with the final product. 

I've already sent the 400 out to my engine builder, who has built a lot of these back in the day. He is excited about the build and so am I. My plan right now is to make it look as stock as possible, even though it will have a 750cfm carb, Edelbrock Performer intake, Heddman headers, and a mild cam. I have some decisions to make for the exhaust and air cleaner, but it'll be a fun process and I hope you'll come along for the ride!

The Edelbrock intake will be topped with a QuickFuel 750cfm double pumper carburetor. Lightning will be supplied by MSD via their Ready-to Run Pro-Billet unit paired to a Blaster 2 Black coil. Exhaust will exit the engine through ceramic coated Hooker headers and dual exhaust system.