Crazy Idea
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Trailering
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Cave City, Arkansas
Crazy Idea
Hey Guys,
I have this crazy idea of converting my '94 4X4 F-150- 5.0 ( that needs a lot of mechanical attention) for a 4.9L or 5.0 carburetor type engine. I have a fuel injection set-up currently. Also my truck has an AOD tranny. How far fetched is this and is it also a do-able project?
I am open to any suggestions and /or comments.
Please help
Johnny
I have this crazy idea of converting my '94 4X4 F-150- 5.0 ( that needs a lot of mechanical attention) for a 4.9L or 5.0 carburetor type engine. I have a fuel injection set-up currently. Also my truck has an AOD tranny. How far fetched is this and is it also a do-able project?
I am open to any suggestions and /or comments.
Please help
Johnny
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Does your truck actually have the AOD(trans code T) or the 4R70w(trans code U) or the E4OD(trans code E)? All 3 of these are 4 speed automatic transmissions with overdrive but the last 2 are 100% computer controlled by the same box that operates the EFI syyetm and installing a carb on the motor would be like opening a giant can of man eating zombie worms.
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Cave City, Arkansas
Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for all your help and insight. My truck has 258K on the clock. I have been told that I have a broke piston ring by a mechanic ( listening only to my symptoms). My symptoms for my engine are: severe "miss" when I go down the road between 45-55 or whenever the truck kicks into overdrive. When I push the gas pedal, it will downshift, then run fine until it reaches overdrive status. It does smoke heavily while idling. I have installed new wires, plugs, coil, distributor, fuel filter, and cleaned maf sensor. I am sure the truck has been heavily abused before I got it. It has a great body though and I would like to keep it. Just thought I would replace the engine at some point in time. I am not real familiar with my type of fuel injection-kinda a ole' school carb type guy. I would like to have more suggestions on my situation, if possible.
Thank you so much for all your help and insight. My truck has 258K on the clock. I have been told that I have a broke piston ring by a mechanic ( listening only to my symptoms). My symptoms for my engine are: severe "miss" when I go down the road between 45-55 or whenever the truck kicks into overdrive. When I push the gas pedal, it will downshift, then run fine until it reaches overdrive status. It does smoke heavily while idling. I have installed new wires, plugs, coil, distributor, fuel filter, and cleaned maf sensor. I am sure the truck has been heavily abused before I got it. It has a great body though and I would like to keep it. Just thought I would replace the engine at some point in time. I am not real familiar with my type of fuel injection-kinda a ole' school carb type guy. I would like to have more suggestions on my situation, if possible.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,533
Likes: 17
From: SW Florida
It's up to you man, but if you take the time to learn it, the EFI system on these trucks is pretty basic. There's just one computer that runs the engine and transmission, and a handful of sensors and actuators.
But nobody is gonna force you to learn it. If you're more comfortable with a carbureted setup, and are ok with losing some efficiency, then go for it! Only thing that would get in your way is if you have an E4OD or 4R70W trans. The 4R70W is just a wide-ratio version of an AOD-E, which is just an electronic version of the all-hydraulic AOD. If you do have an E4 or 4R, you can get a stand-alone transmission controller to run it. Or swap to a manual transmission. Or build an AOD and toss it in there. Plenty of ways to deal with the trans.
Just comes down to what you want to do. As far as getting a carbed engine in there... it should drop right in and go. You could probably convert your existing one to carb easily enough as well.
But nobody is gonna force you to learn it. If you're more comfortable with a carbureted setup, and are ok with losing some efficiency, then go for it! Only thing that would get in your way is if you have an E4OD or 4R70W trans. The 4R70W is just a wide-ratio version of an AOD-E, which is just an electronic version of the all-hydraulic AOD. If you do have an E4 or 4R, you can get a stand-alone transmission controller to run it. Or swap to a manual transmission. Or build an AOD and toss it in there. Plenty of ways to deal with the trans.
Just comes down to what you want to do. As far as getting a carbed engine in there... it should drop right in and go. You could probably convert your existing one to carb easily enough as well.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: New Sharon, IA
If you are already gonna swap out motors you might at well bump up to a 5.8. I also agree with the others to keeping it fuel injected
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,935
Likes: 34
From: Arcadia, Fla
Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for all your help and insight. My truck has 258K on the clock. I have been told that I have a broke piston ring by a mechanic ( listening only to my symptoms). My symptoms for my engine are: severe "miss" when I go down the road between 45-55 or whenever the truck kicks into overdrive. When I push the gas pedal, it will downshift, then run fine until it reaches overdrive status. It does smoke heavily while idling. I have installed new wires, plugs, coil, distributor, fuel filter, and cleaned maf sensor..
Thank you so much for all your help and insight. My truck has 258K on the clock. I have been told that I have a broke piston ring by a mechanic ( listening only to my symptoms). My symptoms for my engine are: severe "miss" when I go down the road between 45-55 or whenever the truck kicks into overdrive. When I push the gas pedal, it will downshift, then run fine until it reaches overdrive status. It does smoke heavily while idling. I have installed new wires, plugs, coil, distributor, fuel filter, and cleaned maf sensor..
Codes need to be pulled to see what the ECU is seeing for issues.
What color is the smoke at idle?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 456
Likes: 1
From: Owensboro, KY
While I will disagree on one thing, EFI may or may not be as efficient as a carb, depends on the carb and how good you are with a screwdriver. I will say, however, these EFI setups are stupid simple and very reliable, especially the speed density variety. I thought EFI was rocket science when I bought my '92, boy was it a nice surprise.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for all your help and insight. My truck has 258K on the clock. I have been told that I have a broke piston ring by a mechanic ( listening only to my symptoms). My symptoms for my engine are: severe "miss" when I go down the road between 45-55 or whenever the truck kicks into overdrive. When I push the gas pedal, it will downshift, then run fine until it reaches overdrive status. .
Thank you so much for all your help and insight. My truck has 258K on the clock. I have been told that I have a broke piston ring by a mechanic ( listening only to my symptoms). My symptoms for my engine are: severe "miss" when I go down the road between 45-55 or whenever the truck kicks into overdrive. When I push the gas pedal, it will downshift, then run fine until it reaches overdrive status. .
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Cave City, Arkansas
Thanks gain guys for all your input.
I am just a little spooked by all the sensors and vacuum lines and such.
I have a simple Ford de-coder from Oreilly's Auto parts. The codes say that the maf sensor- low voltage ( # 157) and the oxygen sensor is running lean (# 172).
I cleaned the maf sensor. So far no change in performance ( severe miss at overdrive stage-from 25mph to 45mph). Again it has 258K on the clock.
The smoke is blue and it uses quite a bit of oil.
Thanks again for all your help and advice.
I am just a little spooked by all the sensors and vacuum lines and such.
I have a simple Ford de-coder from Oreilly's Auto parts. The codes say that the maf sensor- low voltage ( # 157) and the oxygen sensor is running lean (# 172).
I cleaned the maf sensor. So far no change in performance ( severe miss at overdrive stage-from 25mph to 45mph). Again it has 258K on the clock.
The smoke is blue and it uses quite a bit of oil.
Thanks again for all your help and advice.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 546
Likes: 30
From: VA- Shenandoah Valley
While I see your train of thinking, at this point it would be a better idea to learn what you already have. That may be an easier route than converting to a carburetor engine, and dealing with the transmisssion worms.
Another thought- legally, you can't put an older engine in your truck. EPA-wise, you can only replace that engine with another like-kind- any engine that was available in that truck for that year- and it has to be at least the year of the truck, or newer. In other words, it has to at least meet the emissions specifications of that year model. Most folks don't fret over that, and if you live in a state or area where inspections don't go that deep, then it boils down to your choice. But, there are areas where you'd never get away with it. I just bring that point up as a consideration, not to be Jiminy Cricket on your shoulder.
Another thought- legally, you can't put an older engine in your truck. EPA-wise, you can only replace that engine with another like-kind- any engine that was available in that truck for that year- and it has to be at least the year of the truck, or newer. In other words, it has to at least meet the emissions specifications of that year model. Most folks don't fret over that, and if you live in a state or area where inspections don't go that deep, then it boils down to your choice. But, there are areas where you'd never get away with it. I just bring that point up as a consideration, not to be Jiminy Cricket on your shoulder.
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