I have a 85 f150 w/ 302 and AOD tranny. It has the VV carb that I've heard is so terrible, and it's got the EEC IV.

*previous owner took off the smog equipment and evidently took something electrical off of the engine that is causing it to run a little rough, and the gas mileage sucks (8mpg). Everyone on here is telling me that he evidently took off something that is causing something w/ the timing to read wrong and...well that explains the bad gas mileage.

I can 1- find whats missing and replace it or 2- replace the distributor w/ duraspark...i guess it's best to do this one. here are my questions:

1- exactly which duraspark distributor? and what all will i have to do in installing it? i've never done anything like this before...u know, where will the wiring go? where will the vac line go (im assuming it will have a vac line even tho the one on there doesnt)

2- should i change the carb out now too? I hear the Edelbrock 600cfm is nice.....what do u guys think i should do? if i do this, what all do i buy and how much of a pain is it to install this carb? **i've never worked on carbeureted vehicles before...ever** if i get a new one, will i have to adjust it?...or will it come ready to install?

3- what general information can you give me concerning the vv carbeuretors and the EEC IV system

Basically....i need to know ALL of what i need to do for this swap...i've never worked on a carbeureted vehicle before so this is a big deal for me. I've also never done anything with a distributor before...

_James_

 

The EEC-IV system is a multi-port fuel injection - there is no carb involved with it.

It was used in the EFI trucks from 87ish to 96ish depending on the model.

 

I can't explain why I have it....it has EEC IV under the hood...and it's carbed and appears to be the original

 

What do you mean it has EEC-IV under the hood?

 

it has a label under the hood that says "equipped w/ EEC IV..."

 

As far as I know, the F-150 (302) changed from carburetor/duraspark to fuel injection/EEC-IV in October 1985 durring the 1986 model year. A carbureted engine shouldn't have EEC-IV ignition.
A duraspark dist will have a centrifugal advance inside and a vacuum advance with a hose outside. An EEC-IV dist will have wires pluged directly to the side.
Try looking at ROCKAUTO.COM. You can look up different parts and get pictures to help identify them. A Cardone 302899 dist is a carburetor/duraspark for a 302, and a cardone 302880 is a dist for fuel injection/EEC-IV.
The previous owner may have changed several parts.

 

well it says "equipped w/ feedback carb and EEC IV" it has the motorcraft vv feedback carb and the distributor has a bunch of wires coming out of it...im gonna go out tomorrow and see if i cant find a duraspark distributor for it

 

OK, I was wrong about the change-over. A feedback carb has EEC-IV with it. You might want to do some research in the FTE archives section.
Changing ignition types requires several things. I have an '86 that had fuel injection and EEC-IV. When the engine was overhauled I put it back with a holley universal carb (familiar with it) and the complete duraspark ignition, which includes a different distributor, moduel box, probably a different coil (round can type), and a ballast resistor.
My personal preference would be to replace the feedback carb with a universal type (choose your brand). And an early 80"s duraspark ignition. It could get complicated and more expensive.
It might be easier to find what's missing and keep what you have. Sorry, I have no experience with feedback carbs.

 

well there's a whole distributor "kit" that a guy's selling on ebay for a decent price....IF i got it and did the swap would I have to replace the carb too? cause it's connected to that distributor system right?
_James_

 

I've got an '89 ex Highway patrol Crown Vic that had a VV on a 351W. I have a friend who's dad was a ford mechanic, so he had some expereince with it. I had to go to the junkyard and find a distributor and the electronic box (whatever you call that thing) from a late 70's 351W. He put that in, put a regular 2bbl carb on and it runs great. Only tricky thing he had to do was make the linkage for the OD tranny. Otherwise it works better than ever.

 

All I know is from late night reading in the archives section. EEC-IV has a computer box under the dash. It needs input from sensors all over the engine. If someone removed the smog stuff then it won't work right because it's not getting the signals. Removing the feedback carb does the same thing, no fedback.
To change the carb, you need to find what bolts to the manifold (2bbl or 4bbl). And a correct TV cable to the AOD transmission, very important!
The computer can then be disconnected and duraspark installed in its place. Duraspark needs a different dist (Cardone 302899 worked for me), a moduel box to control the dist, and a duraspark coil with a ballast resistor to lower the voltage. Also, wires to connect it all.
It can be plugged into the existing wiring harness, if you can find the right plugs in that rat's nest of computer wires (editorial comment).
If a kit contains the parts needed and instructions about how to install them, then that would be the way to go. The computer box and all of the sensors can be bypassed and left in place. You'll be converting it to a 1980-1982, sort of.
There are several good wiring diagrams in the electrical section. Also type duraspark into Google and a couple of good sites will show up.