what next

[Bowman85merc]

ok i bought a 4-barrel intake and carb and a HEI dist what else do i need to swap my cfi to carb

[Tiggie]

Sounds like you need to address the fuel system now. That means you must decide on a mechanical or electric fuel pump, or if you are going to reuse the stock fuel pump and regulate it down to 5-7psi (not recommended). If you go mechanical, you might also need a new timing cover with the provision for the mechanical fuel pump. You'll have to modify the pick up in the fuel tank as well if you go aftermarket electric or mechanical. And of course you'll need to do some work to the fuel lines.

You'll also probably want to buy the Lokar kit for the TV cable (replaces the TV rod).

Remove lots of wiring, sensors, and the computer. I recommend investing in an EVTM.

Probably other things I am forgetting.

[gadget73]

I'd also suggest not cutting wiring. The CFI harness will come out as one big unit for the most part, leaving you with a much cleaner engine bay. Cut off chunks of wire everywhere looks bad. Unplug the ECM and leave it in place to plug the hole under the dash.

[Bowman85merc]

but doesnt the altenator and the temp wire and all those go through the ecm tho ???

[gadget73]

No, the charging system and idiot light circuits are seperate from the ECM. ECM harness includes the ignition system, the sensors on the intake for the EFI (coolant and air temp), the EGR valve, and the CFI unit itself. Its also got power wires running to the starter solenoid. wiring to the MAP, wiring to the solenoids on the valve cover, the relays there on the fender by the brake booster. It doesn't interface with the main wiring too much, mostly at a plug by the cruise servo. The rest will come out as one big ugly ball of spaghetti. That plug near the cruise servo that you'll disconnect is actually where you'll end up tapping your ignition stuff into. Might want to cut that particular plug out of the CFI harness with enough extra wiring to tie in the ignition stuff as needed.

[Bowman85merc]

do u think this will disable me from using cruise control also ??? its nice but i could live without it

[gadget73]

well, the cruise servo itself will be functional as long as you feed vacuum to it, the trick is going to be attaching it's cable to the carb. The brain for the cruise is next to the main ECM under the dash, but its not interconnected. If you can work out the cable problem it should be pretty simple.

[Grand Marquis GT]

A lot of the wires required are not needed, even when you still have CFI.

The fuel system requires work. You will need to drop the tank, run a sump, and put it back in. Also, i'd see about removing the inline fuel filter from the stock location. God with a fuel filter in the line near the carb instead. Do you want to run a mechanical, or electric fuel pump? The electric will probably be less work, but I do recommend pulling off the timing cover still, at least for a timing chain replacement.

Good luck, and keep up posted.

[1987cp]

If you go mechanical, you might also need a new timing cover with the provision for the mechanical fuel pump. You'll have to modify the pick up in the fuel tank as well if you go aftermarket electric or mechanical.

Chances are the front cover already has the fuel pump mounting bosses, and can be converted for free with a drill and some files.

Bowman, click on my sig pic and poke around. Check my info on my SEFI-to-carb swap and bug us with any questions you come up with. I went with a remote-mount HEI module for my build instead of the complete HEI dizzy from Proform, but all the rest of my info can apply directly to your swap, and I've learned a lot in the process of rewiring most vital functions from scratch (not particularly recommended, but it's a hoot if you enjoy a challenge!).

[Lincolnmania]

you are going to need the lokar tv cable kit and bracket

[murphmobile2]

A lot of the wires required are not needed, even when you still have CFI.

The fuel system requires work. You will need to drop the tank, run a sump, and put it back in. Also, i'd see about removing the inline fuel filter from the stock location. God with a fuel filter in the line near the carb instead. Do you want to run a mechanical, or electric fuel pump? The electric will probably be less work, but I do recommend pulling off the timing cover still, at least for a timing chain replacement.

Good luck, and keep up posted.

Well that answered the question I had up in my head... lol.

I take it with CFI when you convert to carb or EFI... there is no easy way out, lol.

[Grand Marquis GT]

CFI sucks for many reasons.

Most of which, being that you really cannot modify it. And if you could, why would you?

[Mercmarquis]

the easy way of dewiring the car is to unplug the ecm and go through and slice the wrapping on the wires and remove nearly every wire connected to something that is no longer being used (connectors for sensors...whatever). When your done, wrap the wires back up and cover it up with convoluted tubing to make it nice.

Are HEIs completely stand alone? meaning do you need an ignition box to control it? If so you might want to look into that. HEI...bah no chebby parts on a ford imo.

[Bowman85merc]

yea i was going to go electric fuel pump...but i heard that u could just use ur old one and put a T in it for a return or sumtin, my dad said we'll try to do that... do any of u think its a good idea ??? yea and the cam kit i was gonna get will have a double roller chain so thatll be nice. and i know its wrong to put chevy dist. on a ford but its the cheapest and i aint gotta lot of money lol

[P72Ford]

Are HEIs completely stand alone? meaning do you need an ignition box to control it? If so you might want to look into that. HEI...bah no chebby parts on a ford imo.

I believe the GM HEI stuff is stand alone. My dad has GM HEI on a '73 Oldsmobile engine in his winter beater caprice wagon. It has no ignition control modules (like duraspark); just the goofy coil on the distributor.

Bowman85Merc: the HEI is a cheap, reliable, simple alternative. The fact that it was a GM deal shouldn't be a factor, in my opinion.