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I'm curious if there's an obd plug on bullnoses if so where would it be and additionally would i be able to use it for upgraded guages like some use obd2 ports for?
It depends on the engine. They had the carbed 300 sixes starting around 1984 that had computer control and a OBD1 port under the hood. Some 302's and 351w's also had a carbed computer control with the port. Then the 302's in 1985 and 1986 came out with fuel injection and they had the port under the hood.
These ports are not like OBD2 ports. There is no data transfer on these ports unless you have the special Ford machine to hook to them. All you can do with the port is put the computer into a test mode and let it run some tests and give you error codes. All you need is testlight or needle type voltmeter to read the codes. Or you can buy a simple OBD1 Ford code reader online.
If you are looking to use a tablet to display gauge readings you will need to buy digital gauges, than figure out how to interface with the tablet.
someone out there has a grassroot project on this but it didn't look user friendly. Can't recall what the site was.
Every once in a while I get an itch to do something with that hole besides blocking it off so I look for ideas.
I thought it would be neat to use the dash speaker hole to mount an all in one readout on gauges to lessen under dash gauges clutter.
It depends on the engine. They had the carbed 300 sixes starting around 1984 that had computer control and a OBD1 port under the hood. Some 302's and 351w's also had a carbed computer control with the port. Then the 302's in 1985 and 1986 came out with fuel injection and they had the port under the hood.
These ports are not like OBD2 ports. There is no data transfer on these ports unless you have the special Ford machine to hook to them. All you can do with the port is put the computer into a test mode and let it run some tests and give you error codes. All you need is testlight or needle type voltmeter to read the codes. Or you can buy a simple OBD1 Ford code reader online.
Thanks for all the info i believe my 351w is computer controlled since it's a 2 barrel but google is iffy on the subject
If you are looking to use a tablet to display gauge readings you will need to buy digital gauges, than figure out how to interface with the tablet.
someone out there has a grassroot project on this but it didn't look user friendly. Can't recall what the site was.
Every once in a while I get an itch to do something with that hole besides blocking it off so I look for ideas.
I thought it would be neat to use the dash speaker hole to mount an all in one readout on gauges to lessen under dash gauges clutter.
None of the gauge signals go to the computers on the 80 to 86 trucks so no you can't use it like you want to.
Now would this be to replace the factory gauge cluster or add under dash gauges?
Dave ----
I want to replace the factory guage cluster and i don't particularly like the replacements I've found on line so i was looking into some stuff for making my own
Thanks for all the info i believe my 351w is computer controlled since it's a 2 barrel but google is iffy on the subject
If you have the rectangle TFI module on the distributor and the distributor has no vacuum line to it, then you do have the computer controlled carb system. It had total control of the timing, and trimmed the air to fuel ratio in the carb with a solenoid. It works good when everything is working. But it's difficult to troubleshoot and some parts for it are hard or impossible to get.
If you have the rectangle TFI module on the distributor and the distributor has no vacuum line to it, then you do have the computer controlled carb system. It had total control of the timing, and trimmed the air to fuel ratio in the carb with a solenoid. It works good when everything is working. But it's difficult to troubleshoot and some parts for it are hard or impossible to get.
Oh cool I'll have to check that after work is it particularly hard to change it to a non computer controlled one?
I want to replace the factory guage cluster and i don't particularly like the replacements I've found on line so i was looking into some stuff for making my own
Well then you will be removing the factory cluster and the good thing is all the wires you would need will be in that plug that plugs into the factory cluster.
You will need to pin out what each wire / color dose and then figure what ones you will use for the new gauge set up.
I did this on a non-ford project when I did not like how the fuel gauge was working in testing my factory gauges.
I went with Speed Hut Gauges, not cheap! to replace the factory ones but added gauges in place of lights but to look factory stock.
Back side of new gauges. The wires will tie into the factory gauge cluster wires.
Here it is installed in the car with the carbon fiber dash I also made. Again I was going for factory look till you look close at it.
Again I used the cars factory wires when I could but the gauges have their own senders with harness for them so had to use that.
The high beam, turn signal, park brake and brake warning lights are cars wiring IIRC been 25+ years since I did this.
Dave ----
Oh cool I'll have to check that after work is it particularly hard to change it to a non computer controlled one?
NO not at all pick up a older DSII vacuum dist., ICM box and wiring and it is a plug in.
Or HEI 1 wire and relay in place of the above.
Get a older carb, non-computer one and bolt it on.
Once you have them replaced and running good you can then trace the wires for the computer on out and remove them as needed.
Dave ----
Well then you will be removing the factory cluster and the good thing is all the wires you would need will be in that plug that plugs into the factory cluster.
You will need to pin out what each wire / color dose and then figure what ones you will use for the new gauge set up.
I did this on a non-ford project when I did not like how the fuel gauge was working in testing my factory gauges.
I went with Speed Hut Gauges, not cheap! to replace the factory ones but added gauges in place of lights but to look factory stock.
Back side of new gauges. The wires will tie into the factory gauge cluster wires.
Here it is installed in the car with the carbon fiber dash I also made. Again I was going for factory look till you look close at it.
Again I used the cars factory wires when I could but the gauges have their own senders with harness for them so had to use that.
The high beam, turn signal, park brake and brake warning lights are cars wiring IIRC been 25+ years since I did this.
Dave ----
Well thank you for the advice I'll definitely keep the stuff in mind when I can finally get to work on mine
NO not at all pick up a older DSII vacuum dist., ICM box and wiring and it is a plug in.
Or HEI 1 wire and relay in place of the above.
Get a older carb, non-computer one and bolt it on.
Once you have them replaced and running good you can then trace the wires for the computer on out and remove them as needed.
Dave ----
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