Ok I have been researching this for a while, and tried going back to some of the old posts, but most of the pictures are gone and some of the articles i need I cannot find, so I was hoping I could get all the information I need to convert my 78 F100 with a 300 over to the 4 barrel. What kind of problems am I most likely to run into with the kickdown and throttle linkage. I have also seen a few scattered posts about differences in the linkage setups with the offy DP and C series, is there a difference? Lastly are there an other problems I might encounter? This is a bone stock motor and i am going to be using the stock exhaust manifold when all is said and done. Thanks a ton in advance and I'm sorry if this is a repost beating all others into the ground, I just want to make sure I cover all the bases before I drop $500 on parts.

 

I'm actually in the process of installing an Offy DP, only I am using an Edelbrock 500. The intake cleared fine; I had to bend the transmission filler neck out of the way a little bit. The throttle linkage is the last remaining unknown. Since I haven't bolted it up yet I'm not sure how it's going to turn out. I don't have any words of advice for you but just letting you know I am in the same boat. So I am interested in other people's stories as well.

 

Check with the holley Tech Service through their web site on the kickdown issue. If the 390 doesn't come with it they can probably provide you with a PN for one.

With the DP the carb is going to be setting E/W...the primaries next to the engine. Some have made or modified stock brackets, some have robbed longer cables from other vehicles, some have bought longer cables like a Lokar 48". The stock cable in my truck was about 2' long. It probably would have worked pulling from the bottom of the carb linkage as some have done but the "throw" is a but short so I used a longer cable so I could pull from the top of the linkage. I'll get some pics posted sometime tomorrow or Wed.

There is only one suggested way to orient the carb on a DP...the primaries on the engine side. On a C manifold it doesn't make much difference which way the carb is oriented...east/west or north/south.

 

Ok, so if I was to use the the C series it wouldn't pose a problem with the linkage? And the easiest way to get around the linkage issue on the DP is to just get a longer throttle cable? On the website where I was going to purchase the carb, it says it has the Ford A/T kickdown so im not sure if i need more or not will have to check that out.

 

I'll try and help a little bit here. I used the DP and holley 390 two years ago when I did my rebuild. I used all stock throttle linkage and brackets by only adding one extra bracket that I made. Although my truck is an 82 I would imagine that your truck should be close to the same. Here's pictures of the brackets and throttle linkage set up. I have mine pull from the bottom the the carb and have had no issues. I have a manual trans so sorry no help on the kickdown linkage. If you have any questions let me know, hopefully the pics should help:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...121779&width=0

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...122202&width=0

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...122204&width=0

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...122205&width=0

Check my gallery if you want more 300 rebuild pictures.

 

78 Custom, I hope the information I provided is helpful.

Rod

 

Thanks a ton Rod, that sheet was extremely detailed and helped a lot. The pictures and all everyone else has provided me with has also helped a massive amount as well. Now all I need to do is get up the cash to do it. Also I don't know if I will need it or not but it might help someone else, I did find in my parts search that LoKar also makes a tranny kickdown for my C-6, the C-4 and a bunch of other trannys, i'm not sure if it will fix a possible kickdown problem or not, I guess only time and doing it will tell me that. Also Rod, I noticed that you had to space the carb to clear the throttle lever, I was thinking of possibly just getting a .5" carb spacer for I suppose the potential increases they are suppose to give, that and they aren't but a few bucks more than you paid for the gaskets etc. that you had used. Does this form a potential problem with cable lengths in any way?

 

Spacers should not hurt the cable length.

 

LoKar does have kick down cables for you app. Call them and they will halp you with the cable you need.
I started out with a Holly 5/16' (I think or about that thick) fiber spacer to get the linkage to clear the intake. In time I found the 1' spacer that I used for a very low price. As for the "increase it gives" all I can say is the throttle response is quickerwith the spacer. I did not notice any power or fuel increase.

 

i have an offy intake similar to the C, except mine has a divider running between cylinders 2 and 5. My carb sits front to rear like normal. I used a 1" spectre spacer that has both 4 hole and open plenum adapters to give my linkage enough clearance. i also used a specter throttle cable bracket for my truck. My stock cable juuuust reached.

My tranny is manual, so I can't help much with the kickdown.

Here's a pic right after I bolted on the intake, carb, and EFI's. I don't have any of the linkage. The air cleaner didnt fit properly, so I exchanged it for a Holley 14". The second pic is the completed running install.