Actually, I did. Less parts to fail. Double the gas mileage? On what planet? Ive got two (5-6 years old) newer vehicles, a jeep and a crappy *** import VW the old lady drives that I want to smash with a hammer.


REPEATED sensor, evap emmissions and ECU issues to the tune of thousands of dollars combined. No power at all, (like driving a big slow snot) and it looks like a wiring and plastic war zone under the hood. WTF puts an 02 sensor where you cant reach it, and requires a special tool to remove? Stupid.


Points and Carb'd truck? I carry basic tools, a feeler guage and a set of spare points and coil. No biggy, if it breaks, Im up and running for under 30 dollars in under 10 minutes. SIMPLE diagnosis, Fuel, air or spark. FOR FREE. No scan tools, PO code to decipher, etc. I cant say that about my modern garbage. Check engine light on? Yeah that's gonna be 3 to 500 dollars at the stealership.


I live in PA. It gets damn cold. I don't mind waiting for 5 minutes to drive, you know, just like those glorious, im-better-than-you EFI diesel guys have to.



The only benefit to EFI I see is hardcore rock buggy guys whjo get seriously off-angle.


My opinion, and it may suck, but its worked for me.

 

I'd send more rep your way but apparently I've already given you some lately. Must be because you're spot freakin' on!

I always carry a "fixing bucket" with me on long trips. Its a simple plastic bucket with screwdrivers, vise grips, a basic set of spanners, duct & electrical tape, insulated wire, a cheap 12v fuel pump, multimeter, fuses and some basic carby bits (jets, power valve, secondary springs).

If you can't fix the engine with those then put the offending part in the bucket and hitch a ride to go get a new one. Nothing beats that. Like you said, no sea of electrical wires, no ECU codes, no sensors to mess with.

- boingk

 

I constantly hear power, hp, torque mentioned in all of these types of threads. "400 is a dog", "smog choked 351m". Honestly, do most of you floor it from light to light with your Flowmaster 40 series or your cherry bombs? I'm sure I did that when I was 18, maybe 16, can't remember.

You can't compare carburated to efi, or new to old because new and efi will always win. Codes and sensors? If you don't know how to fix it, doesn't mean it is inferior, lol. I can get myself through fixing either, maybe a bit slow, but I get there.

The good thing about FTE is all of this variation in what we are doing. The swaps, conversions, 300ci and strokers, patina and frame offs. We got old dudes inheriting their first Ford truck, and young dudes doing the same.

This isn't a Chevy forum, so let's get behind each other at what they are doing, right? Budget builds to fat pocket restorations. Street parking wrenching to 40x100 shops. Efi or carb.

Thats just how I see it

 

I kind of prefer EFI now, but I find that a lot of users pull their code, but then still end up blindly throwing parts at the problem. The EFI codes will usually point you in the right direction, but there are probably a few exceptions.

 

You Betcha!

 

Hey, man. Don't knock my ancient Flowmasters. Lol! Apparently, new and EFI doesn't always win as you are on an old truck forum. I regards to that, my nephew is running an injected 393 in a '94 Mustang with a TKO. My brother is running a carburated 410 in a '69 Mustang with a TKO. The cars are almost identical in MPG and performance. I guess the major difference is around 3 grand for the EFI and around 600 for the carb and intake AND having to sit and warm it up. Everything has it's faults. Bottom line, it's what YOU like and can afford.

 

Maybe I am a bit jealous of those that can run flowmaster 40s? Hmmm.

We all have our turds to polish. We in Rust free California cant run 76-79 without smog. The greater states that can jack up the hp to ground pounding 6 figures, can't because the rust dust clouds the windshield.

I have my eye on a '79 Bronco, and a '72 4x4......and still open to 4x4s pre 90. EFI, a/c, heat, rubber door moldings, very hard to resist.

72 4x4 has 390, edelbrock, edelbrock, edelbrock...ps & pb, and some edelbrock.

 

Yeah. Good ol' 390's. They're like a Honda 350. You have to be really trying to blow one up. As for the rust, the Mustang forum call us ECI's (East Coast Idiots) for trying to revive the rusty hulks we have to pic from. West coasters say,"Yeah, it's got minimal rust". Meaning a couple 2-3 inch diameter holes. The Midwest and east coast say."Yeah, it's got minimal rust". Meaning only half of the frame rails and half the floor boards are missing.

 

Does mine count as minimal rust?

 

When it's time to boast, pump it twice and fire it up!

 

I wish I didn’t know what that meant

 

that is a beautiful truck!!

 

Thank ya! Means a lot

 

I'll chime in and say you are making the right decision to keep the 351M and stroke it to 400C.I. Get pistons from TMeyer and he can set you up with a good cam and cam bearings too. You'll likely be suprised what a properly built 400 can do!

I'm "considering" a switch from a Holley 670 Avenger to a Holley Sniper fuel injection system myself... Just for better run-ability, not that I am unhappy with the carb.

 

thanks for your help everybody i haven't gotten to go to the shop yet. life got in the way (running corn). so hopefully i can get there soon. and nice truck colton that thing looks awesome.