170, 200, or maybe a 250? '68 Bronco needs more power.

[JC]

I have recently acquired an old Bronco that I'm going to fix up for weekend trips on the trails and in town. I'm not intending to do serious mudding or rock crawling.....can't afford to replace stuff all the time. Anyway, the old 170 that's in it runs ok but is showing its age, and doesn't have the power I'm sure it once had. I've heard that a popular upgrade is to swap in a 200, which apparently bolts right up. Another option might be to step up to a 250, but I've heard there can be problems with bell housings and other things that would make it a bit more challenging to install.

I'm wanting to stick with a 6 cylinder, so I'd like to get some of your thoughts on whether or not to rebuild the 170, or look at stepping up to a 200. Is there enough difference between the two?

Or, would you recommend taking a serious look at installing a 250 instead? I'm not familiar with the differences between these engines. So, I'd like to get your thoughts, considering the application, of which engine you think would work nicely in an old Bronco. Thanks

 

[Mercury Mike]

The 200 is a much better engine than the 170 IMO. Hydraulic lifters. =D It's a simple swap, the bellhousings will be the same if you use an early 200, and all of your extras (save the distributor) will bolt right up (distributor drive gear is smaller on the 170 than the 200, so you'll need an oil pump and a distributor.

 

[ochretoe]

I would go with a well rebuilt 200. I have a 200cid in my Bronco (74) and it does fine. I did add a weber 32/36 carb. and have a rebuilt head ready to go on. I also upgraded to a duraspark II. I can pull a trailer and it does real good in the woods when hunting. The 250 would be good if you need a lot of torque like in heavy mud or rocks. Good luck

 

[JC]

It sounds like there's enough difference to step up to the 200. No, I don't plan to do heavy mud and rocks, but may have some steep climbs now and then.

 

[kirkallen143]

JC,

I have the 200 in my bronco, I put a Carter YF 1 barrel off of a 240 big inline six, 2" exhaust with glasspack and had no problem pulling my 18' aluminum boat. Up the inclines was a little slow, but if I were doing 60mph it might slow down to @ 50mph on the longer inclines. I was running 31" tires w/ 4.10 gears and it would take me anywhere I wanted.

Since then, I now have a 2 barrel holley directly mounted to the intake and that was more than a seat of the pants difference, it basically was night and day. Now I have added a turbocharger and if you really want some more power this is the (expensive) way to go.

I say with a 200 and Mike's new aluminum head with a 2 barrel, will give you just what you are looking for, power-wise.

It really depends on how much you want to spend, and that's the truth.

Good luck,

Kirk

 

[JC]

Thanks Kirk! Thats the kind of info I was hoping to get.