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Installing EFI

kawonuelauwit

Newbie
Joined
Jul 10, 2020
Messages
39
I know there are a lot of articles written about converting to EFI however, i have a hard time finding specific answers without having to search and read through a lot of information. Therefore, forgive me if i ask questions that have already been answered or if they elementary.

I just rebuilt my 351w bored 60 over and placed a roller comp cam in it. I have a Lightning upper and lower intake and the EFI guy rebuilt my entire wiring harness and computer taken off an explorer. The engine is in and it is time to start putting it together and ordering some more parts. My bronco has dual tanks.

1. Do i still run both or do i need to simply the process and eliminate the auxiliary tank? If i run both what is the setup?
2. Going to place the pump in the tank after reading a lot of articles, what pump do you i use and fuel lines?
3. Where do i place the computer. Not wanting to do a lot of cutting under the hood but looking for some simple yet creative ideas.
4. Distributor or Coil Pack? What manufacturer do you recommend.
5. How will the explorer throttle cable need to be adjusted?
6. Recommendations on fuel rail and where to purchase.

I still have the explorer so what parts (fuel lines, pump, coil packs, etc, can be used off of it for the above.

Again i know there are a lot of articles regarding the above, but i find myself reading for a long time to walk away with questions.

If there are specific articles that walk you through the process that someone can share with me that would be great. Thank you any assistance.
 

bigmuddy

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Dec 28, 2004
Messages
7,329
Loc.
Marthasville Missouri
I know there are a lot of articles written about converting to EFI however, i have a hard time finding specific answers without having to search and read through a lot of information. Therefore, forgive me if i ask questions that have already been answered or if they elementary.

I just rebuilt my 351w bored 60 over and placed a roller comp cam in it. I have a Lightning upper and lower intake and the EFI guy rebuilt my entire wiring harness and computer taken off an explorer. The engine is in and it is time to start putting it together and ordering some more parts. My bronco has dual tanks.

1. Do i still run both or do i need to simply the process and eliminate the auxiliary tank? If i run both what is the setup? I eliminated my aux tank and I really haven't see a good setup with EFI.
2. Going to place the pump in the tank after reading a lot of articles, what pump do you i use and fuel lines? I use a BC fuel tank that came with the pump inside, but I believe from a mustang of around 87+
3. Where do i place the computer. Not wanting to do a lot of cutting under the hood but looking for some simple yet creative ideas.You need to keep it dry and reasonably cool so under hood isn't optimal. Some are using a Ford escape boxes to mount the ECM through the firewall.
4. Distributor or Coil Pack? What manufacturer do you recommend. I have a similar set up I am working on but I am using an aftermarket harness built off the mustang harness, so it is designed for a dizzy. I simply use a stock EFI dizzy from a 5.8, I assume yours is setup for coil packs but knowing more I cannot make a recommendation
5. How will the explorer throttle cable need to be adjusted? Need to do a search on this one here on classic. Lots of ways to make this work.
6. Recommendations on fuel rail and where to purchase.I just run stock fuel rails from the 5.8 or an explorer/mustang they work fine.

I still have the explorer so what parts (fuel lines, pump, coil packs, etc, can be used off of it for the above.

Again i know there are a lot of articles regarding the above, but i find myself reading for a long time to walk away with questions.

If there are specific articles that walk you through the process that someone can share with me that would be great. Thank you any assistance.


Good luck with the build! I embedded my comments in your questions.
 

hankjr

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
May 11, 2013
Messages
1,761
I know there are a lot of articles written about converting to EFI however, i have a hard time finding specific answers without having to search and read through a lot of information. Therefore, forgive me if i ask questions that have already been answered or if they elementary.

I just rebuilt my 351w bored 60 over and placed a roller comp cam in it. I have a Lightning upper and lower intake and the EFI guy rebuilt my entire wiring harness and computer taken off an explorer. The engine is in and it is time to start putting it together and ordering some more parts. My bronco has dual tanks.

1. Do i still run both or do i need to simply the process and eliminate the auxiliary tank? If i run both what is the setup?
i retained my aux tank. i installed a transfer pump to move fuel from aux tank to main BC tank
2. Going to place the pump in the tank after reading a lot of articles, what pump do you i use and fuel lines?
i dont recall exact part number but they are all about the same. i will check my photo records to see if i have the part number.
3. Where do i place the computer. Not wanting to do a lot of cutting under the hood but looking for some simple yet creative ideas.
Escape box tucked up in the middle of the firewall -- standard location
4. Distributor or Coil Pack? What manufacturer do you recommend.
coil packs. why have all the explorer stuff and not use it?
5. How will the explorer throttle cable need to be adjusted?
its spring loaded. as long as you have a bit of spring pressure and can access the full range of cable pull, you can do what ever you like for mounting. i made a pretty simple bracket. JSMALL was selling an industrialized version. not sure if he still has some
6. Recommendations on fuel rail and where to purchase.
you need the explorer rail. the mustang and 5.8 both interfere with the upper intake if i recall correctly

I still have the explorer so what parts (fuel lines, pump, coil packs, etc, can be used off of it for the above.

Again i know there are a lot of articles regarding the above, but i find myself reading for a long time to walk away with questions.

my build thread and that of PA69BRONCOGUY (his EFI conversion thread) have a lot of these details worked out as we both have the 351w with EFI. i found most of my answers via search tool here and came up with a few of my own.

If there are specific articles that walk you through the process that someone can share with me that would be great. Thank you any assistance.

some information inserted into your questions

Hank
 

hankjr

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
May 11, 2013
Messages
1,761
I've got a hood scoop on my bronco so it wont hit. Thank you

how much body lift you going with? im at about 1.5". could use another 3/4 easy for clearance between hydroboost unit and valve cover. however, any higher and headers will be in full contact to pass side wheel well. im already so close that i will likely have to insert some exhaust wrap between header tube and sheet metal

Hank
 

bchesley

Full Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2012
Messages
327
I absolutely love my M1A1 tank from wild horses. It has the pump in the tank and I opted for the skid plate as well. I am not 100% sure on this statement, but I believe it gives the best ground clearance of the all the 23+ gallon tanks. That was important to me.
 
OP
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kawonuelauwit

Newbie
Joined
Jul 10, 2020
Messages
39
I have 1” body lift. It has the old Chevy disc brake conversion kit on it. I purchased the bronco in September of last year and drove it until winter came along. Motor had leaks everywhere and it had a lot of poor work done on it…wiring, tape, zip ties, etc. i had motor rebuilt and am organizing everything. This bronco will not be a trailer queen but I'm not going to abuse it either.

I read your post earlier and wasn't aware i could use the explorer coil packs. I can use the fuel rail and lines from the explorer correct? Anything else?

I read the entire thread by Pa69broncoguy when he placed efi on his. Great read. Why do you have to use a 3.8 camshaft synchronizer as opposed to the 5.0 that came in the explorer. I already have the collar.

Thank you

how much body lift you going with? im at about 1.5". could use another 3/4 easy for clearance between hydroboost unit and valve cover. however, any higher and headers will be in full contact to pass side wheel well. im already so close that i will likely have to insert some exhaust wrap between header tube and sheet metal

Hank
 
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kawonuelauwit

Newbie
Joined
Jul 10, 2020
Messages
39
Thank you. That tank is a lot of money. Going to do some more research to see what i can come up with. More to come

I absolutely love my M1A1 tank from wild horses. It has the pump in the tank and I opted for the skid plate as well. I am not 100% sure on this statement, but I believe it gives the best ground clearance of the all the 23+ gallon tanks. That was important to me.
 

EPB72

Contributor
Sr. Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2019
Messages
893
Loc.
Pleasant Hill, CA
I have 1” body lift. It has the old Chevy disc brake conversion kit on it. I purchased the bronco in September of last year and drove it until winter came along. Motor had leaks everywhere and it had a lot of poor work done on it…wiring, tape, zip ties, etc. i had motor rebuilt and am organizing everything. This bronco will not be a trailer queen but I'm not going to abuse it either.

I read your post earlier and wasn't aware i could use the explorer coil packs. I can use the fuel rail and lines from the explorer correct? Anything else?

I read the entire thread by Pa69broncoguy when he placed efi on his. Great read. Why do you have to use a 3.8 camshaft synchronizer as opposed to the 5.0 that came in the explorer. I already have the collar.

Thank you

THe 5.0 synchronizer wont work in a 351w. the shaft diameter is smaller and the oil pump drive is 1/4 inch hex as apposed to the 351 has a 5/16 hex drive for the oil pump .....
 
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kawonuelauwit

Newbie
Joined
Jul 10, 2020
Messages
39
Will i need the collar for the shaft on the 3.8?


THe 5.0 synchronizer wont work in a 351w. the shaft diameter is smaller and the oil pump drive is 1/4 inch hex as apposed to the 351 has a 5/16 hex drive for the oil pump .....
 

DirtDonk

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 3, 2003
Messages
49,236
You mentioned that EFI Guy redid your harness. Usually a harness only works one way. With a distributor, or with coil packs.
Which computer are you planning to use? Usually the computer dictates what ignition you use.

If you are working with an Explorer ECM and harness, you should be using coil packs for a distributorless ignition. If it's using an earlier ECM and harness from another vehicle, then you may end up with a distributor after all.
All depends on how the harness is set up, so check what you have and check with EFI Guy if you're not sure.

More and more people just leave the auxiliary tank out of the equation, but for years most Broncos that came with dual tanks were set up with the auxiliary tank as a "transfer tank" with a separate externally mounted fuel pump to transfer the gas from the aux tank over to the main tank when it's needed.

I still prefer dual tanks, even with the larger 23g main tanks. Even with my full Explorer EFI and better mileage than I've ever had in a Bronco, it still runs low on gas way too soon for my tastes.

Paul
 
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kawonuelauwit

Newbie
Joined
Jul 10, 2020
Messages
39
Thanks Paul. I sent Gary an email and he said he did program it for packs, so that answers that. I don't have any experience with EFI other than buying a new car and turning the key. A lot of this is new, so i am learning as i am going. I purchased an explorer and still have it. Ive used the heads for my motor, serpentine belt system, wiring harness, and pcm. I know there are other items i can use, so making sure i am not wasting money on something when i already have access to it.

I did read about using the auxiliary tank last night like the way you are mentioning. Doesn't seem that complicated. Of course i haven't started on that project yet. I'm also getting to a point where I don't know the exact questions to ask, as this is unchartered territory. More to come and learning as i go.

You mentioned that EFI Guy redid your harness. Usually a harness only works one way. With a distributor, or with coil packs.
Which computer are you planning to use? Usually the computer dictates what ignition you use.

If you are working with an Explorer ECM and harness, you should be using coil packs for a distributorless ignition. If it's using an earlier ECM and harness from another vehicle, then you may end up with a distributor after all.
All depends on how the harness is set up, so check what you have and check with EFI Guy if you're not sure.

More and more people just leave the auxiliary tank out of the equation, but for years most Broncos that came with dual tanks were set up with the auxiliary tank as a "transfer tank" with a separate externally mounted fuel pump to transfer the gas from the aux tank over to the main tank when it's needed.

I still prefer dual tanks, even with the larger 23g main tanks. Even with my full Explorer EFI and better mileage than I've ever had in a Bronco, it still runs low on gas way too soon for my tastes.

Paul
Paul
 

hankjr

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
May 11, 2013
Messages
1,761
What needs to be done to modify it?

cut the rubber lines on the back. get EFI rated fuel hose and EFI hose clamps. set the rail on the injectors in the lower intake and gauge your hose length from there. do keep in mind that you will have PCV in the back as well.

ALIGN your clamps when you tighten so you can reach them once installed

easy job

Hank
 
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kawonuelauwit

Newbie
Joined
Jul 10, 2020
Messages
39
Oh….that's not what i was expecting. That doesn't sound difficult at all. I was thinking i would have to modify the actual rail itself. Hopefully i can start making some progress this weekend. Lots to do so more to come. Thanks Hank

J.D.
 
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