351w Fuel Injection Conversion

[1969]

I am in the process of gathering all parts needed to convert my 1996 351W to Ford mass air fuel injection. I already have the upper and lower intake manifolds on the list below. Thoughts on the rest of this list?

Engine specs: All stock 1996 351w

My plan:
1994-1995 F150 Lightning 351w GT40 lower intake manifold
1996 Ford Explorer GT40 upper intake manifold
Ron Frances wiring harness
https://www.ronfrancis.com/product/496
Fox body ECM - A9L or equivalent
Fuel rails - Explorer return style
Fuel injectors - 19lb Explorer
Throttle body - Explorer
MAF - 19lb
TFI mounted distributor with correct gear for the roller cam

Ron Francis provides a pretty good write up and parts required at this link here:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.ronfrancis.com/downloads/INSTRUCTIONS/TDZ75-INST.pdf

 

[399strokerEB]

I'm running a 70 mm BBK throttle body on mine, but its calibrated for it. Another thing to consider is the fuel tables are different for a 351w vs 302, maybe see if you can find a computer for the lightning? I'm running an a9l but I had efi guy make an offroad chip for me. Not sure if he's still able to do that though.

 

[DirtDonk]

You might need new valve covers.
They need to be low profile enough to fit under the upper Plenum, high profile enough to fit whatever rockers you have installed, but no oil fill tube.
The 351 lower probably does not have the port for the PCV valve, as the 302 does. The 5.8 usually had the PCV valve in the driver side valve cover.
There was enough clearance for that, but not for the oil fill tube and cap.
Not sure what the best parts are, but someone will know.

 

[bigmuddy]

I am in the process of gathering all parts needed to convert my 1996 351W to Ford mass air fuel injection. I already have the upper and lower intake manifolds on the list below. Thoughts on the rest of this list?

My plan:
1994-1995 F150 Lightning 351w GT40 lower intake manifold
1996 Ford Explorer GT40 upper intake manifold
Ron Frances wiring harness
https://www.ronfrancis.com/product/496
Fox body ECM - A9L or equivalent?
Fuel rails - stock truck rails
Fuel injectors - 19lbs
Throttle body - ?
MAF - stock Explorer or?
TFI mounted distributor with correct gear for the roller cam

Ron Francis provides a pretty good write up and parts required at this link here:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.ronfrancis.com/downloads/INSTRUCTIONS/TDZ75-INST.pdf

View attachment 954306

I had a retune run by EFI guy but I had to buy the Moates quarter horse stuff for him to do it. ( I think those are still available?)
He suggested the explorer TB. But the MAF he suggested one of the "slot" style from the later model mustangs with a new 3" housing off of ebay or amazon.
Also suggested 24lb hr injectors.

I am running the more expensive tubular Lightining upper intakes and mustang harness with mustang ECM. The factory tubular upper intake created a problem with finding the right fuel rail (went explorer returnless) as the lighting sits very low to the lower intake.
I am running the explorer hard metal coolant lines but had to tweak the ends near the firewall to get them to clear the valve cover.
Also running the Ford aftermarket cobra style aluminum valve covers for EFI.

You will be better off sticking with the explorer upper as it will provide more room than the lightning between the upper and lower IMO.

Also running the BCB fuel tank with intank pump but did have to find a way to return fuel with this fuel line (thanks yeller) several ways to skin this though,
I think it is all going to work.

Robin on here has one running and driving in his bronco, likely others as well.

By the way, I just saw a guy on Facebook that was selling everything to run the 351w and he was including the 5.0 upper and lower intakes which obviously you don't need and the lower wouldn't fit but he was asking 2K including for everything including the ECM which considering those have sky rocketed made it an OK deal IMO.
Sorry I don't know him.

With all of that said, I would run down EFI guy and see what he recommends on harness and such as he may save you some money.

 

[1969]

You might need new valve covers.
They need to be low profile enough to fit under the upper Plenum, high profile enough to fit whatever rockers you have installed, but no oil fill tube.
The 351 lower probably does not have the port for the PCV valve, as the 302 does. The 5.8 usually had the PCV valve in the driver side valve cover.
There was enough clearance for that, but not for the oil fill tube and cap.
Not sure what the best parts are, but someone will know.

Thanks for the information Paul. These are the van valve covers, the passenger side one has a provision for the PCV valve. For the driver side one I was thinking of cutting down the fill tube and using a universal oil cap.

 

[fordguy]

I have dreams of building a roller 351 w/explorer efi, but not for my bronco. I have to find a roller block first.

 

[bronco italiano]

I had a retune run by EFI guy but I had to buy the Moates quarter horse stuff for him to do it. ( I think those are still available?)
He suggested the explorer TB. But the MAF he suggested one of the "slot" style from the later model mustangs with a new 3" housing off of ebay or amazon.
Also suggested 24lb hr injectors.

I am running the more expensive tubular Lightining upper intakes and mustang harness with mustang ECM. The factory tubular upper intake created a problem with finding the right fuel rail (went explorer returnless) as the lighting sits very low to the lower intake.
I am running the explorer hard metal coolant lines but had to tweak the ends near the firewall to get them to clear the valve cover.
Also running the Ford aftermarket cobra style aluminum valve covers for EFI.

You will be better off sticking with the explorer upper as it will provide more room than the lightning between the upper and lower IMO.

Also running the BCB fuel tank with intank pump but did have to find a way to return fuel with this fuel line (thanks yeller) several ways to skin this though,
I think it is all going to work.

Robin on here has one running and driving in his bronco, likely others as well.

By the way, I just saw a guy on Facebook that was selling everything to run the 351w and he was including the 5.0 upper and lower intakes which obviously you don't need and the lower wouldn't fit but he was asking 2K including for everything including the ECM which considering those have sky rocketed made it an OK deal IMO.
Sorry I don't know him.

With all of that said, I would run down EFI guy and see what he recommends on harness and such as he may save you some money.

I have Moates QH/Binary editor/EEC analyzer/Dongle if someone wants to rent/buy. I do think QH is back out but I have not seen EEC aanlyzer/binary editor that Clint Garrity developed and should be used with QH for a great tune.
EFI guy is a must
With a 351W you may need 24 lb injectors, my mildly built 302 needed 24's.
Sure good to see you are going Ford SEFI, yes it is old, but it just works and works reliably

 

[fordguy]

I have Moates QH/Binary editor/EEC analyzer/Dongle if someone wants to rent/buy. I do think QH is back out but I have not seen EEC aanlyzer/binary editor that Clint Garrity developed and should be used with QH for a great tune.
EFI guy is a must
With a 351W you may need 24 lb injectors, my mildly built 302 needed 24's.
Sure good to see you are going Ford SEFI, yes it is old, but it just works and works reliably

With the least amount of tuning

 

[1969]

Sure good to see you are going Ford SEFI, yes it is old, but it just works and works reliably

My ultimate goal is reliability and why I am going this route.

 

[rjrobin2002]

95 roller motor, lightning lower, explorer heads, explorer upper, explorer serpentine, efiguy explorer harness and all explorer maf/tb and injectors. Price motor sports cam sensor. Ebay valve covers and welded some thread on fill caps

 

[bronco italiano]

With the least amount of tuning

I think the 351W ecm was a different number (X2A?) so you will need tuning more than likely. The 351W ecm is worth having efiguy configure your A9L/P ecm. EFIguy is just worth the cost regardless. The gentleman goes above/beyond

 

[kman67]

I would also look into the Explorer fuel rail as the connections are at the rear driver side to route your lines on the driver side. You might need to tweak the hard line as it’s close the firewall. The mustang fuel rail connections are at the front passenger side. Look for the ‘96-‘98 as they use the same fuel pressure as the mustang. I think in 98 they switched pressure and didn’t use a return line.

Edit: oops, looks like you are already going this route.
Kyle


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[fordguy]

95 roller motor, lightning lower, explorer heads, explorer upper, explorer serpentine, efiguy explorer harness and all explorer maf/tb and injectors. Price motor sports cam sensor. Ebay valve covers and welded some thread on fill caps

where did you find the roller block?

 

[toddz69]

I'll be curious if you can get the Explorer fuel rail to work with the distributor on the 351W. I had an interference fit on mine (5.0) and had to keep running the Mustang rails. It seems to be a common problem based on a number of posts on the interwebs.

Todd Z.

 

[Timmy390]

Swap the valve covers....put the filler P side rear. That will put the Van PCV up front and easier to plumb into the intake. Do NOT use the PCV in the rear of the lighting intake. Plug it. That thing will suck the oil pan dry. Been there done that.

I run Explorer MAS, hose and TB. Van injectors and rail.

Tim

 

[1969]

I'll be curious if you can get the Explorer fuel rail to work with the distributor on the 351W. I had an interference fit on mine (5.0) and had to keep running the Mustang rails. It seems to be a common problem based on a number of posts on the interwebs.

Todd Z.

I have been going back and forth about what rails to use. I am going to use whatever fits the best based on the feedback here and what info I can find online.

I’ll update my first post accordingly

 

[lars]

The 1996 351W (AKA 5.8) van motor was rated at 205HP and used 19 lb injectors. Unless you are changing cam, heads etc you should be fine with the same, and given the other specs all the 5.0 stuff including garden variety A9xx EEC-IV computer should run it without issues. Will it be optimal? Maybe not, but that can be dealt with down the road.

The Lightning lower had the PCV port at the back, just like the 5.0 Mustangs etc. Since you don't seem to be changing rockers, a pair of steel Explorer 5.0 valve covers will put the oil fill and vent tube in the right place, no mods required. The Explorer upper has a port on the bottom for the PCV.

The Explorer 5.0 throttle body will be fine for now. Which MAF to run has been an endless debate. In a perfect world, without tuning while using an A9xx computer you should use a Mustang 5.0 MAF but the aluminum Explorer 5.0 MAF seems to work fine with those computers even though in principle it's different. Yes, I've tried it. Couldn't tell the difference and that was with a slightly upgraded Explorer 5.0 engine.

You can remove the flex lines from a return style Explorer 5.0 fuel rail and replace them with longer ones. The hose isn't cheap and you need to be careful not to nick the barbs on the rails when removing the old ones, but it's not that difficult. That's what I'm using on my 408. The rails will fit fine under the Explorer upper you show in your photo.

In summary, other than the changes necessary to bolt stuff to a 351W van engine, you should be able to use off-the-shelf Mustang 5.0 nearly everything and it will run fine, no tuning needed. Start changing engine parts, all bets are off.

 

[lars]

Swap the valve covers....put the filler P side rear. That will put the Van PCV up front and easier to plumb into the intake. Do NOT use the PCV in the rear of the lighting intake. Plug it. That thing will suck the oil pan dry. Been there done that.

I run Explorer MAS, hose and TB. Van injectors and rail.

Tim

Forgot about that piece of advice. They don't all seem to do that but Timmy knows his stuff. Follow his recommendation on the PCV.

 

[Timmy390]

Valve covers I'm using. D side is Van P side. The P side is either F150 or Explorer D side. Got it from the junk yard. I used it due to the hose nipple on the neck. I use that hose as PCV metered air into the crank case. I pull it from the Explorer hose between Mas and T-body

Tim

 

[ntsqd]

Might also look at some of the truck 5.8 stuff. My '96 FSB's rail has the FPR at the L-R of the engine, and that is where the supply and the return connect to. It clears a distributor. The 5.8L truck valve covers leave the oil filler at the L-F of the engine and the R-S cover clears the truck upper's plenum by not very much. Have not tried it/them with your intake combo. I believe that the PCV is located at the R-R of the engine, but I'm struggling to recall that for sure. What I can see of them, they look exactly like Timmy's picture.