1981 F100 302 smog-stripped with a 2150 carb.

Looking at the listings online, I notice one entry for 'Electronic engine control' and one for 'Without Electronic engine control'. Is the one with it for the variable carbs and the other for the straight mechanical carbs?

Could someone explain the with and without differences for me if it's more than just the carb?
TIA.

 

For your 1981 F100, you want the one without electronic engine control.

Most of the 1980 - 1983 302 models used the Duraspark II electronic ignition. This is a stand-alone electronic ignition system that had a square shaped, silver ignition module bolted to the driver's side fender apron. The distributor used a vacuum advance with a conventional carburetor.

"Electronic Engine Control," or "EEC", is what Ford called their on-board engine computer that was phased in throughout the 1980s. Before EFI was the standard, some mid-1980s carbureted models used an engine computer that controlled the ignition, emissions, and the air/fuel mixture at the (feedback) carburetor by various solenoids and sensors located around the engine. As a result, the distributor on these didn't used a vacuum advance at all, and the ignition module is bolted to the side of the distributor itself. This system used what is called a TFI ignition system and is the same as what the EFI models used. And like EFI, you can't just unplug and delete stuff or even make upgrades on these models and expect your truck to run "better." When you do this, what happens is the EEC engine computer will try to compensate for the "problem" and the vehicle will usually run worse as in performance and economy.

Capiche?

 

Capisco! Grazie tante!

I had a feel for the carbs being one of the differences but just wanted to be sure (and to expand my horizons a bit). I figured, when I go for some other misc stuff, I'll pick one up at the J/Y just to have on the shelf.

Thanks for the expanded answer!

 

Lariat85 is one of our TFI experts in that area.