302 with no computer
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 343
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From: Arizona
302 with no computer
I'm thinking of putting a 302 into my 94 Exploder. Specifically, I want a late-80's or so fuel-injected engine with the conventional distributor and no computer. What year did Ford start using computers?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,017
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From: SoCal
Ford started using the EEC computers in the late 70's with the feedback carburetors. It's mandatory with their EFI systems; the EEC is what tells the injectors when to fire, based on a number of sensor inputs. So if you want fuel injection, you gotta have a computer controlling them.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Ain't no such thing, all EFI system have computers.. the E in EFI stands for Electronic after all. These early systems did have a conventional distributor of sorts.. it has an electronic sensor inside though.. no mechanical parts at all. If you want simple EFI this is it, up until about 1991 the EFI system and wiring was pretty much stand-alone.. easily seperated from the chassis wiring and if you're smart you will get a setup from a vehicle with a manual or non-electronic(AOD or C6) transmission.
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 343
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From: Arizona
So, it doesn't use oxygen sensors and MAF and whatnot? Basically, I'm annoyed with modern engines that have a million sensors that all have to work right. I like going far from civilization, so simple and reliable is what I want. The camshaft position sensor on my 4L has gone out, and I'm debating whether to fix it or just swap engines.
The Southernmost Mod
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6,902
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From: Caracas, Venezuela
I drive far from civilization from time to time, and i have to say that my EFI has been very reliable so far. So you have 2 options here: If you want no ECU, you'll need a carb. If you want EFI, you could search for a 302 from an Explorer (96-98 i think) and use everything related to it. Is your tranny an auto or a manual? if it's an auto you'll probably need the ECU anyway, no matter which way you go. But i tell you, don't be scared nor worried by the sensors, they're very reliable and easy to diagnose.
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Arizona
I have the manual transmission.
I wonder: how many of those sensors and electronic boxes can fail and the engine still runs? Maybe I'll start unplugging everything in sight, just to see at what point the engine stops...
I wonder: how many of those sensors and electronic boxes can fail and the engine still runs? Maybe I'll start unplugging everything in sight, just to see at what point the engine stops...
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,017
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From: SoCal
The engine may not stop, but it will run badly. The EEC has a "limp-home" mode that it falls back to if it does not get reasonable inputs from its sensors. In that mode, you will have very poor acceleration and mileage, and terrible emissions. It's like an engine with a badly tuned carburetor.
Engine control computers are not the evil things that hot rodders of 30 years ago thought they would be. They make engines run a lot more efficiently, cleanly, and more powerfully, with better drivability than the old carburetors. My 1987 Mustang GT still has the original EEC computer and most of the sensors; I replaced the HEGO sensors last year because they were long overdue. It starts up every time, idles smoothly, runs great, gets decent gas mileage, and always passes the smog checks registering at the low end of the emissions. The only engine problems it's had were not due to the EEC computer. I can not say the same for my 1969 Mustang, with a Holley 4 bbl carb. (Now THERE's something that's more complicated than you realize.)
Engine control computers are not the evil things that hot rodders of 30 years ago thought they would be. They make engines run a lot more efficiently, cleanly, and more powerfully, with better drivability than the old carburetors. My 1987 Mustang GT still has the original EEC computer and most of the sensors; I replaced the HEGO sensors last year because they were long overdue. It starts up every time, idles smoothly, runs great, gets decent gas mileage, and always passes the smog checks registering at the low end of the emissions. The only engine problems it's had were not due to the EEC computer. I can not say the same for my 1969 Mustang, with a Holley 4 bbl carb. (Now THERE's something that's more complicated than you realize.)
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