I know this isn't for everyone, but wanted to know if anyone here has done it. My intent is to drive the truck all over the US so drivability is key for me.

Here is a link of a similar conversion on an old chevy.
How to install GM TBI on any Chevy V8

I had originally intended to run Ford TBI on my 97 351W in my 73 f100 4x2 to F250 4x4 project. There is so much junk on that setup, I decided to go with a carb setup from 70 mustang. Now I have found a kit with everything except the distributor to go with a GM TBI. Since I already have the 35 gal GM fuel tank installed, I have the intank fuel pump and harness. The midship tank is from a 87 F250 and has the fuel return line also. I have a 91 Suburban donor for the rest. Painless has the wiring harness except the ford Disty part. The VSS isn't a problem since I am already using a NV4500.

I have a friend that is going to freak over this. He talked me into the mustang 4v way back. This will all fit on the 4V manifold.

I want this to look pretty original when the hood is up so I intend to use the original ford Air cleaner to cover this up.

I haven't built the exhaust yet, so putting the o2 sensor bung in isn't a problem. The temp sensor can go in the thermostat housing, oil pressure sensor is no problem. Making the Ford disty act like a GM disty is the big issue here. I have a question into Painless about this.

Has anyone done something like this? I have seen it on ford hotrods, but not in our trucks.


Doug

 

I will have to back your friend up. If you don't get a good response here, then you could check at the H.A.M.B. [ Hokey *** message board ] ,they will help.

 

 

If you want to drive all over the US in one of these old trucks and have driveability and be reliable sounds like the perfect job for a well tuned stock Motorcraft 2100.

Just my opinion but I am 100% against Gm stuff being on a Ford, no matter how much good it may do.

 

Thanks,

I still have the original 97 351 multiport. I just don't want all that clutter. I remember cross country drives with a carb. I always used to get a tune up in Colorado at elevation.

Would like to avoid all that.

Doug

 

Closest Carb to Fuel Injection... Maybe a little less complicated than TBI.. I'm running a 800 cfm qjet on my 390 and love it... Dialed in Right... The rochester quadrajet is a varible cfm carb and will only flow what the engine requires. Gm used them on engines from the 305 all the way up... Ford even used them in '70 and '71 on the 429... The qjet's small primaries are more than enough for daily street driving with great economy + the added bonus of the huge secondaries for those times you want to have some fun.. To set it up right, check out - Cliffs High Performance Quadrajets :: Qjet Carburetor Rebuild Kits, Parts, Bushing Kits, Carb Tuning - buy the book, and read it twice.....
I did use a Edelbrock #1483 ford kick down linkage adapter to make the carb work on my automatic application or you may use a lokar kickdown cable kit. I also used a 4 hole adapter plate Trans-Dapt 2034 flipped over and modified slightly to fit. I had to enlarge the reverse side bolt holes to accept studs, and grind one edge of the adapter a little to allow for primary choke linkage movement...

 

check out powerjection3 from proffessional products, installs like a carb and is self tuning, but a little pricey

 

Thanks, I like that powerjection3. Looks very simple. I have a 600 cfm Carter AFB that probably needs a kit. I may try that first with a fuel pressure regulator to get down to about 5.5 psi. I will set it up to send the overflow back to the tank to keep things cool and avoid a vapor lock situation.

I will look deeper into the powerjection3 as a possible long term solution.

Doug

 

I have it on mine and drivabillity is fine. I'm using the holley projection system. Everything fits on the 4v manifold fine, i'm using a edelbrock performer man. I put the temp sender for the computer where the gauge was and put the gauge in the water neck. You'll have to add a return line, system only runs at 15 psi so your not going to get major performance out of it. Mine has nothing to do with the distributor.

 

I would do the Holley versions myself. The GM TBI is just slightly better than a good carb. I would not waste a moment nor dollar on a GM TBI.

Holley EFI

 

Check out Howell EFI, they make a complete kit using the GM style TBI. I've herad good stuff about there kits. I'm planning on using one on the 460 in my 78 F350 CC.

 

thanks for all the info. Howell and the others look like they know what they are doing. Lots of research to do.

Doug

 

Well, I'll throw my 2 cents in. I have run all kinds of combonations over the years. I did consider the GM TBI, just never got around to it. I ran the Holley Pro-jection (very similar to the GM TBI, but with custom items). I liked this system the best, until it left me stranded in KY one time. No fun having to swap back to a carb in a little town in KY on a Saturday afternoon. For me personally, I would stick with a factory system, or a system that uses off the shelf parts.

Steve S.
To many to list

 

I have been tempted to do it to my 460. Do you have the duraspark dist now? very easy to allow the GM computer to control the timing on one. I have tons of info on GM tbi swaps and a great wiring diagram if you need one. As for the Howell system ( Your right there Howell was the lead engineer for GM on development of the TBI ) It does not control spark as it is a fuel only system. I have build one for a Jeep 258 I6 and they came with the Ford duraspark dist. You use a GM 8 pin control module and you can dump the Ford one. Let me know if you want a simple wiring diagram. As for parts you can walk into any parts house anywhere and get what you need on the shelf. Gm used this system for years and parts are everywhere.

 

Please send me what you can. I will probably use the Carter temporarily, but want to make sure I prepare for this when I get everything together.

Thanks for your help.

Doug