hi everyone. for a long time now i have wanted to convert my 90 bronco from efi to carbed. yesterday, i was adjusting the timing and my engine caught fire! as i was putting out the 2 foot high flames, i decided to go with my idea of ripping out all of those "pointless" wires and sticking to the old style. my question is, do i have to change my cam that i just bought if im going to make the switch. also, wut manifold/carb combo do you recommend? i want somethin big and shiny. modest trucks are for wusses.
p.s.- i have shorty headers, a kickass intake system, and ambition.

thanks for reading and i would really appreciate any feedback
-Pat (17)

 

Honestly, why do you want to go backwards? EFI is so much better than a carb. What are the problems that you are experiencing, that are leading you towards dumping the EFI?

 

well i am only 17 but since i was a kid, i have been around carbs and have seen rods that are carb powered. my dad always told me to keep it simple and thats one of the major reasons i want to swap it. plus, i am in love with this truck and want to make it a real head turner in this honda civic world we live in. especially where im from-its like the "fluffy and frivilous" everyday.

 

sometimes i just look at all of the stuff in the efi engine and wonder how good it would look to have it all simple, just an engine without the sensors, extra wires, canisters and other stuff there but efi is good and you can make the engine run awesome and look very good too. Plus the lots of work and money to get rid of the efi, but if you can do all of that, you might as well get a crate motor with say 400 hp.

 

so if i kept the efi, is there a way to make the system simpler? like eliminating something? but say i did have the ability to convert...how difficult could it be? i would be making a high tech system into a basic one right? or am i not seeing it? basically, im fed up with the fuel injection because of all the damn vaccuum lines and the selenoids everywhere. i had to replace the vaccuum lines 2x's on the truck! it only has 56k miles on it! and i treat it like royalty!

thanks for the reply and please keep it coming

 

why did you have to replace the vacuum lines? twice. do you take this off road or just on pavement? efi much better in many cases when off roading

 

i had to replace the vaccuum lines because i found them cracked. and no, i don't take this off-roading yet, i won't for a few years. is there a way to eliminate or at least organize some of the wires n hoses in my engine now? if i can't go to a carb, thats what i will probably end up doing.

 

Then I suppose that I am a wuss with a truck that doesn't catch on fire! I keep my Bronco totally stock and it runs like brand new at 130K. Anything from the emissions control or computer management system that goes bad is replaced instead of ripped out. Call me crazy, call me a wuss, I don't care. I prefer it this way and have even upgraded it mecanically with a 160 watt alternator, heavy duty mini-starter, 1000 CCA battery, and many creature comfort additions such the great stereo and more. But it is basically stock - smooth and quiet.

Of coure I have my Harley to work on, and it is mean, loud and obnoxious. And I also just purchased a clean 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix with a 400/400 to restore and make a hot rod out of. So I can keep the Bronco virtually stock and in fact, I do so purposely so as to always have a dependable vehicle around that is 4X4 for snow days and as a basic daily driver throughout much of the year. But even when it was my only vehicle, right after a divorce, I enjoyed keepig it smooth and quiet, I am 41 and don't need the tickets anymore, and my area is police and photo radar mad - not to mention that slow cruising is easy on the truck and easy (er) on the gas consumption.

 

Well,here we go again.Listen Big Red I asked this question a while back about which was better and it went about 50/50 , I'm with your dad on this I have a 1982 300 inline six with stantard c-6 three speed with overdrive,carberated and you could'nt pay me to take a computerized fuel injected monster! If you click on my name"scurbiedog" and go to find all posts or threads you will find "Carberation vs Fuel injection" and read it all, there you will find what alot of guys here think.The choice is yours but I love it simple and if you look at alot of these post that are on here everyday thier mostly complaining of problems due to sensors and other things related to computers and fuel injection.This is one time you should listen to your dad,and with carberation, I firmly believe your maintenance bills will be cheaper!

 

first what tranny do you have in there. if its an e4od you can forget about going carbed becasue that tranny is computer controled. you just need some edumication hehe on efi thats all. check out www.fordfuelinjection.com. there is alot to read and will bring you up to speed. carbs are a constant work item always needing tuneing and such. but efi once you get some of the hicups out then your jammen. do you have a haynes manual , this is a must for anyone owning a bronco or any rig for that matter.
also because you have efi there is a computer that stores codes when there is a problem so your not pulling your hair out wondering whats wrong it will telll ya or point you in the right direction. and with a little help from us you will be on your way. gotta give us a chance and believe in the technology. also going carb is gonna loose some mpg because its less efficient and im sure your not made of money to be paying more to go anywere

 

One thing that confuses people is that there are two harness'es in one. One strictly for emmisions and on for the fuel injection. They both utilize some of the same sensors. You can get a harness from Ford Racing strictly for the injection, and eliminate all the emmisions crap. If you don't have inspection! Hey Kemicalburns, they make a stand alone control module for the E4OD so it can be ran on a carb'ed engine. I just heard of it last week on another Ford web-site. There are alotta options as far as fuel injection. Holley makes a throttle bodie injection unit that looks just like a carbed set-up. But Holley, Accel, and Edelbrock all make an aftermarket multi-port system's, just have to sell the farm to buy them! When my 87-302 Lost the timing chain, I dropped in a 351 carbed motor for simplicity when off-roading. That being said, it is my toy, and NOT a daily driver! If it was my daily driver, I would of stuck with the fuel injection.
Al

 

ok everyone...you convinced me to stay with the efi. as much as i don't want to- i'll be going through gas like crazy considering its my everyday truck. on the other hand, i still want to clean up the engine compartment. i really never thought about the whole everyday vehicle thing.

so i thank you for your input but don't go "x" out of this post just yet. i am asking for your help now with "cleaning up" my engine. i am hoping to get rid of my emissions considering my pump is not even working. that will eliminate a whole lot of hoses right?

 

First, do you have emissions testing in your area? Technically, tampering with the emissions system, is a federal offense (not to mention hurting the environment faster). Are you sure it doesnt work? Have you tested it? Why do you say you will go through gas like crazy? EFI typically yields better mpg than a carbeurated system. When was the last tuneup this rig got? Have you searched for any engine codes, that would typically cause lower performance/mpg?

 

I had an 87 F-150 that had been converted, Was done neatly and etc, Ran like a champ, then I got an 89" with the same setup but was still EFI. Thw 89 was soo much better. Although when I had to work on them I prefered the 87 but oh well, just read a book and you'll figure it out. I had to get the 89 since the 87 burnt to the ground due to a fuel leak. hmm Had my carbed 78 F-250 catch fire. lol stay away from the carbs they burn

 

Rich, i appreciate the input. first of all, i meant i would be going through gas if i went to a carb. that was a mistake on my part. also, there is emmissions testing here in NY but luckily, i can get around them. i have tested the pump and pulled it apart. 2 of the fins are broken and i am not putting the money out for something that i don't use. when i realized it was disfunctional, i disconected it completely (it is still mounted though). i have pulled some codes up on my beast and i got an egr error. the egr valve is shot. it is not opening even after i cleaned it and checked for any vaccuum leaks. as for tuneups, i do all filters, oils, and plugs about every month to 2 months (depending on driving during that time).
so....today i found out one reason for the fire- when i assembled the fuel rail, one of the o-rings on the top of the injector was cocked (leak=fire=money). anyway, today i went and got some new wire loom and vaccuum lines to replace what was turned to ash.
Not being able to drive my beast is killing me but im glad i know what exactly is going on under her hood. the girlfriend isn't too happy either because "i love my truck too much" my response is either "im fixing it so i can see u more" or "well at least i always know where she is"

ok now this is the point when i ask you's for input...thanks so far