My understanding is that the computer can be eliminated and the only change is to swap to a DS-II dizzy, ignition module, and engine harness - all available at a salvage. Ken Blythen would be the one to ask specifically, but from what he's said in the past the feedback carb can stay. The air/fuel ratio may not be perfect, but it is still good.

We would want to check with Ken to make sure, but I think that would be the cheap and easy solution. Then later you could convert to a non-feedback 2bbl or even a 4bbl if you wanted.

 

I think it's that type of distributor it has not vacuum hoses and only a side mounted module. Does that make a difference with what we are trying to get at?

 

I think that it is that type of distributor. I don't see any vacuum line only a side mounted module..
Would that make a difference to what we are trying to get at?

 

Sorry, I didn't see this before I posted the last one, my internet is being slow.. Okay that makes since.

 

You have the worst of all worlds - a computer-controlled distributor with a TFI ignition. The TFI is know to fail due to overheating, and Ford later moved it to a cooler spot. So, my advice is to go to the salvage and get a distributor, ignition module with a blue grommet where the wires come out, and the engine wiring harness. Oh yes, and the coil. There are good write ups in the stickies at the top of the list of threads.

 

Well, if you want to fix it with the least amount of money involved, I would investigate repairing the wiring/plugs. I get a little worried when you say "I want to fix things right" because that can mean you want a new wiring harness, which would fix it "right", but they are not available. So any fix is going to be a repair that you make.

You will have to go to a lot of trouble, but maybe it's possible to find some new plugs in the junkyard, snip them out of the harness, and splice them into your harness.

If I were you and in your situation, I think I would get a soldering iron, and actually solder short pieces of wire directly to the terminals on the solenoids, and then splice that into the harness wires. If these things go bad, you can easily unsolder them, but I don't think that is going to happen. You will either not be able to get new parts to fix this system, or it's going to be too expensive. That's going to be the time to do the conversion, when it's worth it and you have the time to do it.

If you want to do the conversion, you are going to have to commit yourself to find all the parts, and take the time to convert it, and there will be no changing your mind once you start the conversion, wires and components are going to be flying off the engine and in the trash can.

So from the sound of your other post, I would patch it up and keep driving it, and schedule some downtime and save some money up and plan to do the swap later.

 

Now this sounds manageable and inexpensive... Now your talking about those plugs that mounted to the top of the valve covers? Or just all the plugs I have pointed out in the picture? And which solenoids do you mean I could solder short pieces of wire to? How would I go about doing that? ...
This is my kind of advice by the way thanks a million!
I never really thought about salvaging those plugs and stuff..

 

If I read between the lines in your first post, you probably do not actually know the exact spot where the problem is? Are you afraid to touch it now and don't want to mess with it? Or can you do some more troubleshooting and try to determine what the actual problem is.

I mentioned the plugs and the solenoids(relays, whatever they are) because I saw them in the picture. I re-read you first post a little closer, and it may not be those plugs, unless you do know what the problem is. You never know, it may be a bare spot on the bottom of one of the wires, and it was laying on the engine and shorting out. That could be fixed with some electrical tape.

So if I am on the right track, I think you are going to have to look it over and and try to determine the actual problem if you can.

 

I think you are on the right track, and I agree I will just do a real good look over the whole wiring paying close attention to any possible trouble spots and I'll get back to ya. Thanks again!

 

You might get lucky if it is a short - do your testing in the dark. You might see a spark. But, finding those kind of problems can be daunting.

 

That's a good idea! I'm a little nervous i might get more frustrated with it than actually accomplish anything... nevertheless i'll give it a shot.
Thanks Gary