OK I've started this thread to get some help. Here is my situation. Took my 89 F-250 to a two bit mechanic, (trying to save money). The truck had a 351w EFI with a C6 tranny. (4x4) Any way long story short, old motor shot, crank broke. Got a deal, so I thought, for a 302 carb'd that had been rebuilt. fter a long time and some crap I didn't like I got my truck back. The motor runs. Sounds good, no noises, no smoke. Now the downside. Pretty sure he somehow rigged my old dizzy from the 351 to wok on the 302. plus wired it back into the harness. He also tried to put a regular on the fuel line and a valve to try and lower the pressure going to the carb. Now when you turn the key you can hear the fuel pumps run and never shut off. Here are a few pictures.

Old Motor (351) out


Open engine bay


302 finally in the truck








And this is how it looks after I told him I was done with him and we settled up on the work done and I got it back. This is how it sits in my yard now.








Here is a pic of the valve on the fuel line


fuel regulator he installed


Ignition wiring (what a mess)


Carb

 

I also took some picture of the fuel filter, and pumps that I saw on the fuel rail for reference when discussing getting the fuel pressure right for the carb.

Filter


Not sure what this is, but it's after the filter on the frame rail.


and then this comes next

 

Moved at op's request.

 

Thanks George


I've been talking to Rick about this for some time, and suggested he post here.

From what I gather, they have the fuel pumps wired to hot all the time. There is no fuel return to the tank.There is a pressure regulator

Computer is still partially hooked up, because it has a tfi ignition.

From what Rick tells me, it starts, but sputters, and barely runs.

 

Thanks George, and Charlie.

 

So Does anyone have any suggestions on how to go about correcting this mess and get the old girl right?

 

I can't even fathom why you went through all that work to convert it to carb. You could have gotten a used 302 EFI upper and lower intake manifold for ~$100 and used the the rest of the existing components. It probably would have ran well enough on the 351 computer too.

At this point with the wiring so destroyed and hacked together, you're going to need to gut it all and start over. You'll have to pick up a Duraspark II distributor ignition setup.

You're also going to need a proper return-style fuel pressure regulator, and send the carb 5-7 PSI.

 

If he goes with the duraspark, should he go with the HEI conversion? Rather than the Duraspark box?

 

I couldn't tell you, I don't know much about the Duraspark systems except that he needs one.

 

My suggestion would bve to ditch the TFI at this point and install a DS2 setup. The fuel system looks kinda of scary. The low pressure pump in the tank should have enough pressure for a carb so I would eliminate the high pressure one mounted on the frame.
regards
rikard

 

Might be best to find a parts truck with a 302 already in it. One with a blown engine and/or trans would be ok and cheap besides. It would have all the parts you need to make yours right. Intake, ignition system, computer, wiring, connectors, etc...
I dont think it would need to be a 4x4 or an F250 either, probably a F150 2wd with a 302 and a c6 in it would work. I'd try to find one that has as few alterations under the hood as possible. When trying to fix a hatchet job like this having another truck that is right is a huge help.
You could maybe sell a few parts you don't need from the parts truck, and scrap the rest to help offset the cost. Maybe sell the intake and carb you have on there now, if the carb is good. Wouldn't sell anything until your truck is running though.

If you try to cobble something together to make what you have work it will be a nightmare.

 

Charlie, would the HEI conversion be a simpler setup?

Rikard, So the existing low pressure pump in the tank will work for to give me 4-7psi at the carb? So I can just bypass the HP pump on the frame and run new line up to the carb?

 

Rick, the HEI system is nice as it's a single wire hook up. The Duraspark 2 system is just as good and the ignition boxes do not just die like people will tell you. If they are going bad in short order it's either a 'value' line box or there is a short. In ~20 years we put exactly three new boxes in our '83 E350 EXT 15 pass van.

 

I'm not sure but I think the intank pumps put out 5-10 psi and the high pressure pump kicks it up to 35-55 psi. I would try a pressure and flow test just to be sure.
regards
rikard

 

Thanks Pfogle, I like simple. Will most parts stores have everything I need? Dizzy, module, blaster coil? Can you buy this as a complete kit or do you need to purchase the parts seperat