Replace the feedback system?
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Iowa
Well.... this caveman is going to try the swap this weekend if the weather holds. My '85 is half feedback/half DSII currently, and all bad in terms of running. I limped it through the winter but it is time to switch it over. My only concern is that I am taking the ubber-cheap method and using 100% JY parts. As long as one of my 3 coils and 2 ignition modules work I should be ok.
Sorry to highjack the thread.
Sorry to highjack the thread.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 8
From: North Carolina
Well.... this caveman is going to try the swap this weekend if the weather holds. My '85 is half feedback/half DSII currently, and all bad in terms of running. I limped it through the winter but it is time to switch it over. My only concern is that I am taking the ubber-cheap method and using 100% JY parts. As long as one of my 3 coils and 2 ignition modules work I should be ok.
Sorry to highjack the thread.
Sorry to highjack the thread.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
Well.... this caveman is going to try the swap this weekend if the weather holds. My '85 is half feedback/half DSII currently, and all bad in terms of running. I limped it through the winter but it is time to switch it over. My only concern is that I am taking the ubber-cheap method and using 100% JY parts. As long as one of my 3 coils and 2 ignition modules work I should be ok.
Sorry to highjack the thread.
Sorry to highjack the thread.
I have never had a hitch buying new parts...........its worth it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Leaving a feedback carb in place after the conversion can make it run poorly as well.
My advise is, if it's working good with the feedback system, leave it alone.
for the original poster...
21 MPG is concidered great for these trucks and right on the mark for the EPA rating.
The pinging you are getting could be caused from the ethanol based fuel we are being made to use right now. There are a lot of complaints going on around california with this issue. This can effect vehicles not rated for E-10 or E-15. Check the timing it should be either 6 or 10 degrees depending on the emissions lable on the radiator support.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Iowa
Thanks for the input everyone.
The carb is already the non-feedback type as this is the "half" that was already converted by the P.O. I like the idea of new parts but I only paid $600 for the truck so I am trying to do everything on the cheap. I may end buying a new coil and/or a new ignition module if I cannot get the ones I have to work. Like most of the people on the forum I enjoy working on my vehicles. For me the joy is in the work and learning not so much the end result. I also like taking things that are cast off and getting more use out of them. Worst case is that I have to toss some the junkyard parts I picked up. I live in a small town in rural Iowa so the standard price at the boneyard is $10 for one armfull of treasure and $20 for two armfulls of booty.
Thanks again for everyone's input, I learn something new every time I log on here.
The carb is already the non-feedback type as this is the "half" that was already converted by the P.O. I like the idea of new parts but I only paid $600 for the truck so I am trying to do everything on the cheap. I may end buying a new coil and/or a new ignition module if I cannot get the ones I have to work. Like most of the people on the forum I enjoy working on my vehicles. For me the joy is in the work and learning not so much the end result. I also like taking things that are cast off and getting more use out of them. Worst case is that I have to toss some the junkyard parts I picked up. I live in a small town in rural Iowa so the standard price at the boneyard is $10 for one armfull of treasure and $20 for two armfulls of booty.
Thanks again for everyone's input, I learn something new every time I log on here.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Check out the HEI version of the Dura Spark change. This will be my route I take if I do it.
Here is one write up, but there are many more.
Duraspark- HEI hybrid Ignition - FFCars.com - Factory Five Racing Discussion Forum
I like the idea of how simple it is, I wouldn't need to change wire harnesses, and I'd be able to keep the current coil. All I would need would be a carb and distributor to make the change.
Here is one write up, but there are many more.
Duraspark- HEI hybrid Ignition - FFCars.com - Factory Five Racing Discussion Forum
I like the idea of how simple it is, I wouldn't need to change wire harnesses, and I'd be able to keep the current coil. All I would need would be a carb and distributor to make the change.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
I would respectfully disagree. 21 MPG is EXCELLENT for one of these trucks. Granted my truck has a 351W and 3.50 gears w/a C6 slushbox, but it only gets 12 MPG, and that's with the DS II conversion.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
You forgot the Carburetor. That can add several hundred to it.
Leaving a feedback carb in place after the conversion can make it run poorly as well.
My advise is, if it's working good with the feedback system, leave it alone.
for the original poster...
21 MPG is concidered great for these trucks and right on the mark for the EPA rating.
The pinging you are getting could be caused from the ethanol based fuel we are being made to use right now. There are a lot of complaints going on around california with this issue. This can effect vehicles not rated for E-10 or E-15. Check the timing it should be either 6 or 10 degrees depending on the emissions lable on the radiator support.
Leaving a feedback carb in place after the conversion can make it run poorly as well.
My advise is, if it's working good with the feedback system, leave it alone.
for the original poster...
21 MPG is concidered great for these trucks and right on the mark for the EPA rating.
The pinging you are getting could be caused from the ethanol based fuel we are being made to use right now. There are a lot of complaints going on around california with this issue. This can effect vehicles not rated for E-10 or E-15. Check the timing it should be either 6 or 10 degrees depending on the emissions lable on the radiator support.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
That and engine differences.
300-6's average 18-24mpg highway.
351W's average 10-18mpg.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Iowa
I just finished up the swap and the difference is unbelievable. The trucks starts much easier hot or cold. Prior to the swap the truck was very sluggish and would backfire when letting off the throttle or downshifting. Now all of that is gone. After I was sure it was running correctly and timed, I pulled the old harness out. I still have some clean up in the engine bay but now it is much easier to get to things.
I am still concerned about the used coil and ignition module but I have the spares under the seat just in case. The summer heat will be the real test of these components.
Again, sorry to highjack the thread. Had the feedback system not been completely hacked up in my truck I would have given it a go since the mileage should be slightly better with that system.
I am still concerned about the used coil and ignition module but I have the spares under the seat just in case. The summer heat will be the real test of these components.
Again, sorry to highjack the thread. Had the feedback system not been completely hacked up in my truck I would have given it a go since the mileage should be slightly better with that system.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
^^^You will soon forget all about feedback and its horrors.......
Now you can hack out the ECM harness and all the vacuum crap, only wires left should be to the alt., oil press.,coolant temp, tach and the coil wires you spliced in, only vacuum will be to the vac. adv. on dist.
Soon the engine compartment will look clean and business like, not a rats nest.
Now you can hack out the ECM harness and all the vacuum crap, only wires left should be to the alt., oil press.,coolant temp, tach and the coil wires you spliced in, only vacuum will be to the vac. adv. on dist.
Soon the engine compartment will look clean and business like, not a rats nest.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
My only point about "excellent" and "great" was that 21 MPG is so far beyond anything I hear of people getting that most of us would be ecstatic to get that. I'd be "happy" with 15 and "thrilled" with 18. My 3.2 liter double-overhead cammed AWD SUV only gets 22 and, while it's tow rating is 5K, it can't do nearly as much as my '82 F150.
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