A 302 V8?! I thought the 351 was the smallest V8 for the second-generation Bronco, SG? You are correct, sir, and/or ma’am, if you thought that. This one has a replacement engine in the form of a rebuilt 302, and it’s said to be a strong runner. Is that enough engine for this 1978 Ford Bronco? I think so, especially with the four-speed manual. It’s listed here on eBay in Assaria, Kansas, and the current bid is $1,050, but the reserve hasn’t been met.
I’d have to say that the 1978 Bronco is my personal favorite of the entire run, since the series started, gulp, 60 years ago! Is that possible? 1965? Wow, time flies. We know that the Bronco took a much-needed hiatus (No pun intended) (TV term) (OJ) (The Bronco name was ruined forever because of that) (why am I still writing in brackets?) between 1996 and 2021, but still, the name has been around for six decades, that’s impressive.
This is a second-generation model, and they were only made for the two years I spent in 11th grade. Just kidding, 10th and 11th grades, as in 1978 and 1979. The 1978 Custom trim level is the most unique because it has round headlights, and that’s why I like this model. I don’t even mind the rust around the rear wheel wells, but I could do without the dents. I believe this truck was originally “Chrome Yellow”, which is seen on the inside and appears a bit more gold’ish. The “Bright Yellow” exterior was an option, but I don’t know if this is a Ford color or not, or why the ___ (heck) it was painted a slightly different yellow from what the interior is. It’s like wearing orange pants and a red shirt. I’d bring it back to the original color, or could this bright yellow be the original color?
Yes, it needs a lot of work inside, too. The tall shifter is for the very cool four-speed manual that works like a charm. The shorter shifter is for decoration only, sadly. The seller says the yoke is off of the front axle, as is the front driveshaft, so the transfer case ain’t transfer’n nothin’ right now, at least until that’s fixed. They have another driveshaft and front axle assembly that goes with the sale, so that’s great news. We don’t see the back seat, but the front buckets need work, and overall, it’s fairly rugged inside, but has a huge rear cargo area ready for hauling, after some work.
Here’s the clean Ford 302-cu.in. OHV V8. We don’t know the specs, but Ford did offer a 302 in the next generation of Broncos. The four-speed manual is said to work great, and there is a new clutch pressure plate and a throwout bearing, a new radiator, new dual exhaust, new hoses, and a new distributor. The brakes need work in the form of a new power brake booster, and then there’s the bodywork. I really like this one, but it’s too much project for me. Any thoughts on this double-yellow 302-transplant 2×4/4×4 Bronco? How much would you pay for this one?
Fun write-up Scotty. This Bronco is quite rough, but with their high-flyer status in the hobby, maybe someone will spring for it. I can’t tell if the interior and exterior are or aren’t the same color. The 302 with the 4-speed should be fine. I will give bonus points for the (in my opinion) coolest Ford steering wheel, ever.
Agree on that steering wheel. Much like the 4-spoke Chevy it was offered on everything.
Really? No mention of pre 78 front end..
I put a 289 in a 77 F150 4 speed 4×4 that I bought back from a neighbor kid after he blew up the 351M, the truck had headers and sounded really good and he like to downshift and wind the motor out to hear the exhaust cackle. I told him that motor did not like over revving like that but he would not listen and eventually put a rod thru the block. I had a 289 laying around with a bell housing and all the other parts so I thought what the heck, lets try it. The only thing I had to modify was the holes in the frame mounts, by modify I mean I opened up the holes about an 1/8 inch. It pulled itself around well enough so when I crashed my 90 Crown Vic a few months later I pulled the 351W out of it and replaced the 289. I would like to say it ran better with the 351 but I never really drove it, when I was just getting finished with it I went back inside the house to see what the teenagers were doing and I walked into the middle of a huge fight. Faces were being slapped, knives were being swung around, I was being threatened with having the cops called on me for closing a door and my sons foot when I got him into his room to get some seperation between the two of them. After all that got settled down some I went back outside to get the truck out of the garage, now remember I was very upset over what just went on inside the house, by upset I mean I was as angry as I have been in a long time. I was seething over what happened as I was backing out of the garage, as I backed up I was watching the corner of the house, I was moving slowly and the house looked like it was shaking, uh oh, l looked out the passenger mirror and I was hitting my 96 CV in the drivers door. I pulled forward between the house and garage, shut the truck off and got out and looked at what I had done. When I tell people this story they almost always say that they bet I got really mad then and I tell them nope, it calmed me down. It was my fault, I never should have let them make this mad. To finish this story about an hour later there was a knock on the back door and it was a kid that was working on the remodel of the house next door and he wanted to know if that truck was for sale. Yep 600 bucks as it sets and its yours, he went and got a check from his boss and I never saw the truck again. I had about 300 hundred in that truck, things were a lot cheaper in 2003
If it’s the NP435 trans, and NP205 t-case, I can assure you it was a great combo in my f-150.
The 302 should be fine, and the 76-77 F-Series grille on it too looks fine by me too!
Thanks for catching that, Todd! I forgot to mention that, as I’m not a huge fan of the eggcrate grille. That’s a very nice “upgrade” for sure.
Those 2nd-gen Broncos needed the 351. They had grown and put on some serious pork from the first generation. And this one, with that undersized motor and oversized rust problem along with the dents and dings, is going to be a tough sell.
Very nice. If only Ford kept the front end of the 1976-77 front end for the 78 Bronco.
some of them had the 300 six also!
The 300 6 cylinder engine was available in the 78-9 F series pick up trucks. It was not available in the 78-9 Bronco.
My friend had an early 80s Bronco with a 300 six I guess I had figured they all had them !
One of the best 4x4s I ever owned was a 1980 Bronco with the 351M and a granny 1st 4 speed transmission. That was the first year for the transfer case with the 2.6:1 low range. That sucker would have climbed trees if it could have gotten traction.
I bought a 1990 Bronco brand new from the dealer with a 302 and it was fine , I got better mileage with that than my 1988 Bronco with the 351 in it.