Possible motor swap
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Possible motor swap
i have a 90 f250 with the efi 460 in it and its getting pretty tired. im thinking about building an earlier model 460 (carb'd) and sticking it in there. i dont like the computerized BS so i was tossing around the idea. Anybody done this? are the motor mounts and all the goods the same?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,698
Likes: 47
From: Mexico, Missouri
Huge leap backwards...
Yes, it can be done, but no way would I ditch the ease of EFI for a carb that will flood and then choke doesn't work so you have to feather the accelerator pedal to keep it running..
Yes, it can be done, but no way would I ditch the ease of EFI for a carb that will flood and then choke doesn't work so you have to feather the accelerator pedal to keep it running..
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,346
Likes: 1,319
From: Central Mississippi
OK, my turn on the merry go round... 
1) Transmission. Manual or C-6, you're good. E4OD, you'll need a stand alone controller or fooling it with original computer.
2) Fuel system. You'll either need to get a regulator to bring down the EFI pressure to something that a carb can use without flooding or get a mechanical pump which will require you changing the timing cover & adding an eccentric to the cam drive to run a mechanical pump, but you'll have to fool it into running. But you did say you would go with a earlier carb'ed model (mechanical pump) so it'll probl'y need rebuilding anyway since it's cylinder walls have been washed down with gas from a rich running and/or a defectively de-smogged system. Or you can start over with a electrical stand alone after-market pump.
3) Ignition. There is no mechanical or vacuum advance & the distributor controls whether or not the fuel pumps run, so you'll need a total replacement system.
That's for starters & a lot of work for something that won't want to start or run right when its really cold or really hot.
1) Transmission. Manual or C-6, you're good. E4OD, you'll need a stand alone controller or fooling it with original computer.
2) Fuel system. You'll either need to get a regulator to bring down the EFI pressure to something that a carb can use without flooding or get a mechanical pump which will require you changing the timing cover & adding an eccentric to the cam drive to run a mechanical pump, but you'll have to fool it into running. But you did say you would go with a earlier carb'ed model (mechanical pump) so it'll probl'y need rebuilding anyway since it's cylinder walls have been washed down with gas from a rich running and/or a defectively de-smogged system. Or you can start over with a electrical stand alone after-market pump.
3) Ignition. There is no mechanical or vacuum advance & the distributor controls whether or not the fuel pumps run, so you'll need a total replacement system.
That's for starters & a lot of work for something that won't want to start or run right when its really cold or really hot.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 10,080
Likes: 5
From: Backwoods of Snowflake AZ
Find out what trans you have because if you have the E40D you have more "computerized BS" still around that you will have to get a stand alone trans controller for which is expensive.
I put quotations around computerized BS because really I will never put a carb on anything. EFI is the way to go and really these trucks are the simplest of EFI trucks. Heck I am constantly trying to figure a way to EFI swap my 73 Harley XLCH1000 while keeping the original engine.
Trav
I put quotations around computerized BS because really I will never put a carb on anything. EFI is the way to go and really these trucks are the simplest of EFI trucks. Heck I am constantly trying to figure a way to EFI swap my 73 Harley XLCH1000 while keeping the original engine.
Trav
Senior User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 466
Likes: 2
From: Dallas, TX
Basically what everyone is saying is just stick with EFI. Or go buy an bricknose so you can play with your carb!
Sorry not trying to pile on but it doesn't make much sense to do a carb conversion.
Sorry not trying to pile on but it doesn't make much sense to do a carb conversion.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 10,080
Likes: 5
From: Backwoods of Snowflake AZ
Trav
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
i have the c6. i dont want to put a carb on the efi motor, i want to get an older motor with a factory carb and swap the entire motor in. and carbs are just easier to work on for me personally. too many sensors and what not on the efis
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 983
Likes: 49
From: Northern Kentucky
I'm in the process of completing a 302/EFI to carbed 351 swap in an '89 F250 and yes, it can be done. I did the swap because I had a good running carbed 351/C6 and a weak, leaky 302/Mazda 5 speed. I didn't care for the 302 (in a truck) and needed an automatic due to sore left knee.
Still finishing up some details but it runs. I used the mechanical fuel pump and deleted the electric pumps, converted to DS2 ignition, (vacuum advance distributor, DS2 module) and wired it using a wiring diagram off this site. Some searching on this site will bring up all needed info (and a lot of advice not to do it)
Would I have done it if the above circumstances had not been as stated? Probably not! But it can and has been done successfully.
Good luck if you decide to go forward with it, and if I can help, let me know.
Still finishing up some details but it runs. I used the mechanical fuel pump and deleted the electric pumps, converted to DS2 ignition, (vacuum advance distributor, DS2 module) and wired it using a wiring diagram off this site. Some searching on this site will bring up all needed info (and a lot of advice not to do it)
Would I have done it if the above circumstances had not been as stated? Probably not! But it can and has been done successfully.
Good luck if you decide to go forward with it, and if I can help, let me know.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
From: Otto, NC
If your state has emission laws the carb will certainly fail the sniffer test.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 40
From: EXTREME southwest CT
The motor mounts are the same.
The entire exhaust system is different.
You will need V-belt front dress. (Water pump, alternator, power steering pump, all the pulleys and brackets)
Fuel pump may be problematic, because as was mentioned the computer uses signal from the later model distributor to keep it running.
The entire exhaust system is different.
You will need V-belt front dress. (Water pump, alternator, power steering pump, all the pulleys and brackets)
Fuel pump may be problematic, because as was mentioned the computer uses signal from the later model distributor to keep it running.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
meandmine
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Jul 15, 2012 09:04 PM
Deviousfred
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
11
Dec 27, 2010 10:12 PM
chadc2003
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
15
Feb 20, 2007 06:54 PM
oldford2
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
9
Apr 3, 2003 10:23 AM