200 or 250 for 67 Bronco

[broncopilot65]

I would like to get a few thoughts about which is the best way to go in a Bronco. I was able to pick up a 200 block (c8de6015-b) that had been bored to 30 over and zero decked with it came new pistons assembled rods and pins , timing gear ,ARB bolt kit, crank was turned but not balanced. it also came with the Head but nothing done to it (E0be6090BB). Also have DUI disturber. It was going to be a rebuild and the guy didn't have the time. I have a 200 in the bronco Now with a RAN 3 speed. I had the plan of putting this new 200 in.Getting a new cam and also milling the head for a 2v Carb, Webber or Autolight. After reading some post it seams like the 250 is a better choice (more tq and hp for 4x4) . I have a chance to pick up a running 250 out of a 74-75 Galaxy. I would like to some day after the engine is finished to put a nv3550 5 speed in. Right now with the 200 i have in the bronco i'm running 3200 RPM at 60 MPH this is a daly driver and hunting rig. I'm also very new to all this I have just wanted to build a Bronco like this for a long time and now have the chance any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks Frank

 

[MPGmustang]

There is SO many way's you could go about with this

most logical to get the most out of your money, plug in the new 200ci, with the modified e0 head (1980 head nice score) with the 2bbl direct mount. everything will bolt and plug and play with your current setup.

the 250, it's probably going to need to be rebuilt, take your time, to do what the 200 already has COULD be 1k-2k if you hurry/rush and let some one else do it, the good side is you won't have to thing about the head.

Things to consider, the 250 will require a v8 bell housing, complicating the drive train and won't be a simple matter until you find all the required parts. if you did go 250, then drop the nv3550 in at the same time. you'll save head aches later and some money with alot less down time.

options to lower RPM is to either get a taller gears (numerically lower) or get bigger tires.

the 250 requires the v8 302 radiator, the hoses are larger, but it's safe to run the smaller rad.


in the end you could be happy with the fresh 200ci, it will rev faster than the 250 will (shorter stroke) and it's possible that you might not see the extra power increase between the two. Look at Gene's build and my build, 250ci vs 200ci, I have 135hp last tested, he has 145hp last tested and we make the same torque. the extra cost for the 250 might not account for it in the end. I say stick with the 200ci you scored (lucky find) and upgrade to the nv3550. the 250 would be nice, and so would a 302 (i6 300 .020 over bored what did you think I meant?)

 

[chad]

think I meant
watch it Rich., a lill close there.

You'll need a sm. lift for the 250 - hood clearance (or scoop) and it's my preference (due to cost/expertise/etc). The 300 needs a fire wall or radiator (easier) move. Radiator move puts that long sucker out a lill too far (balance). IT's THE perfect motor for that rig tho (I just don't have the stuff to do it).

Ask Richard (explorer) bout the 200, I think it really depends on end goal/use which U choose. (200 wuz in there '73 & '74 only). Mine skids logs to a band saw mill, plows driveways, does some 4W trailering of lumber to home building sites, wrks the swamps n hills, toy & wuz a DD till the economy changed.

bmbm40 (is that right?) has the 5 speed/4.1 in Nevada, he's the one to ask re 250...

They will both show up soon...

 

[bmbm40]

For me the best was the 250 and nv3550 but I found a good running 250 for $100. I would look into the M50d I think it is called, look on classic broncos.com, as it could be a 5 speed solution for less than the nv3550. I really wanted to get rid of the 3 speed so this seemed like the best plan. I continued to drive my 200 until I got all the 250/nv parts and glad I did it.
The 5 speed greatly increases the overall driveability of my Bronco. I went from a stock 200 to a stock 250 and the torque increase is quite noticeable. It drives great, a completely different feel to it than the old 200/3 speed combo. I would really recomend the power steering upgrade as well.
You will probably need a 1" body lift to clear the trans, which I had planned to do anyway and oil pan mods if you hardcore off road. Good luck.

 

[broncopilot65]

Thanks for all the good ideas. I have a 2.5 inch lift and am looking into a 1 in body lift as well. I don't have a lot of money the 200 now and I could get this running 250 for 500.00 (not sure if it is a good deal) I like the idea of a 5 speed. I thanks you for the thoughts all good things to consider. I will have to do a little more research on the 250 and what is need to make it work with a NV3550 and what need to be done to put it in the Bronco.
MPGmustang your thoughts are very interesting sound like for a little more work on the head and the right cam I could come close to the tq of a 250. Lots to think about.
I'm sure I will have more Questions Thanks again for the help Frank

 

[chad]

...more research...make the nv3500...( wrk in the bronk)

CB has a "sticky" on it and there's @ least 2 threads (I remember 1 has pic) on it there.
Some say "its the easiest mod" - no drive shaft length change, etc.
U are @ the end of ur 'lifts' w/o more extensive mods (1" & 2.5") to frnt end & other prts.
As written, the tranny bolts right up to the 250 (250/289/300/351) bell. I don't think it's a hydro clutch but if so U can get 1 from a Ranger or other & put in. Bmbm40 is very accommodation in his tech support - so avail for any Qs U may have

 

[Explorer]

Not much I can add to whats been posted. "Ideal" situation would be bmbm40's setup. You have to be running 4:11 or possibly 4:56 gears. Without knowing what size tires you have, I can't figure your rpm's. With 30" tires(actual measurement 29") I turn 2750-2800rpm at 55mph w/4:11 gears, my peak torque range. Dropping your rpm's too low with taller tires/higher gears, is going to hurt you in torque available at freeway speeds. As usual, money will dictate what you do. Since you have a running vehicle, I would live with what you have and accumulate the parts you need to do the 250/NV3550swap all at one time. I have more than enough power, but wish I had the 5 speed option. The wide ratio stock 3 speed just has too much gap between gears.

 

[bmbm40]

500 sounds too high for a 250 at least to me you may try offering 200 and see what happens, the 250 is a little hard to find but not a large market for them. The 77-80 250 is ideal. Check in wrecking yards. You need an Advanced Adapters kit to install the nv3550 so look into the m5od trans it is a Ford trans so less adapters needed. Read about it on classicbroncos.com they were in alot of F150's so yards should have plenty for not too much money. Any trans that fits a small block Ford will bolt to the 250, a real plus and you can use a larger clutch than the 200. With research and careful shopping you could probably put this together for a reasonable sum.

 

[chad]

m5od
the mazda tranny may B a lill weak for off rd from some I've heard from.

 

[broncopilot65]

Thanks Chad and bmbm40 and all outhers for you posts. I think I will go with the 250 and a NV3550 sounds like a good combo for what I want now. I will look into a better deal on the eng check a few more yards. I have 4.11 gears and 32 in tires so I think the NV 3550 and a 2v head mod make sense. I'm sure as this buld gets started I will have a few more Questions Thanks Frank :thanks:

 

[chad]

a few more Questions
I'd recommend folks right there in ur area - there R a heck of alot of them!!! NW USA may have more EBs than other prts of the country.
(let me know, back channel, if wishing connections)
I get good results here (esp this forum! for anything in the engine bay! altho hp rather than tq oriented), FTE, and classic broncos.

 

[Invectivus]

just be patient, i was looking for a 250 for a few years, missed a couple, only one hung around for most of that time for 550. I ended up grabbing a freshened up motor for 250 a few months ago.

 

[chad]

"...looking for a 250 for a few years..."
shameless pug:
1 here ('75) for the interested.

 

[bmbm40]

If the 250 for $500 runs good, good compression and all, you can start it and hear it run and you get the dist/module and accessories it would be worth more than I initially thought. Maybe 3-400? More so if you can use the bell housing. Is it a manual or auto? Power steering?

 

[chad]

broncopiolot65?
Wass goinon?

What about the purchase Frank?