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5.0L (1979-1995) MustangTechnical discussions on 5.0 Liter Mustangs within. This does not include the 5.0 from the 2011 Mustang GT. That information is in the 2005-1011 section.
Hey everyone, I’m new to the group. So I got an ‘88 fox not long ago and it was kinda a project. (Seller told me it was an engine out of a 94 5.0 but I don’t know how to identify that) The EFI has been removed and it’s carbureted. Car runs and drives great. But the factory engine harness is still under the hood and it is hideous. The engine looks to be near standalone. Since I haven’t got around to buying the AC delete pulley the ac compressor is still on the engine but isn’t hooked up. no hoses going to a heater core. Basically the only actual wiring to the engine is the plug on the distributor & coil, and then the starter obviously. My question is can I remove the cars computer and engine harness? Not much of anything is hooked up besides some grounds that I can see. Thanks in advanced!
that doesn't look like a tfi distributor in the pic you posted, although it is hard to tell. I can see the factory temp sending unit is still hooked up, so you will lose the temp gauge. If the factory fuel pump and wiring is still used, you will need to keep the computer.
Yeah its a tfi distributor & efi type coil.See how the distributor is turned into a position that has the tfi module orientated as far as it will go to the right before contacting the ac compressor.I didn't know you could even run the tfi type ignition with a carb setup?? I thought you had to run a 85 5.0 Mustang distributor and duraspark ignition with a carbed setup,but apparently not.The tfi system is usually tied into the ecu,so I don't see how the ecu & wiring could be removed if thats the case.I'll have to research this.Here is a thread on a efi to carb conversion and whats usually done. http://sbftech.com/index.php/topic,14405.0.html
If you open the following link and scroll to post #2,then scroll down til you see where it talks about how the rewiring will take place & read that,it might allow you to check your car for the wiring changes for the fuel pump & ignition to see if thats how your car was converted.
Yeah its a tfi distributor & efi type coil.See how the distributor is turned into a position that has the tfi module orientated as far as it will go to the right before contacting the ac compressor.I didn't know you could even run the tfi type ignition with a carb setup?? I thought you had to run a 85 5.0 Mustang distributor and duraspark ignition with a carbed setup,but apparently not.The tfi system is usually tied into the ecu,so I don't see how the ecu & wiring could be removed if thats the case.I'll have to research this.Here is a thread on a efi to carb conversion and whats usually done. http://sbftech.com/index.php/topic,14405.0.html
the guy I bought it from said he “timed it by ear” and never threw a light on it. I plan on getting outside here shortly and timing it with a light. I did see that it does have the spout connector next to the distributor. It has a MSD Coil. As far as temp gauge I’m not worried about that as i planned on installing aero one. Would closer pictures help you guys? Essentially none of the wiring off the harness is hooked up they’re all loose plugs.
Carbed cars can be timed by ear. I used to time my 1987 Nissan Sentra (last of the carburetor models) that way then used a light for ****s and giggles. Pretty darn close. At Idle your's supposed to turn the distributor as far clockwise (Advance) as you can until you get pinging and as far counter-clockwise (retard) until you get some stumbling or missing. Mark the positions with a market and then adjust accordingly. Generally you want to advance as far as you can, get pining, then back off a bit. Done.
Mind you, this only sets the base timing so if you have vacuum or mechanical advance you may or may not be able to adjust those correctly without a light at higher RPM's
Keep in mind advance/retard direction may have been different between my Nissan and domestics.
Id be curious to know exactly what ° value timing is currently set to (using a timing light) seeings how the tfi module is crammed completely up against the ac compressor. When the #1 piston is at tdc with the 0° balancer mark aligned with the timing pointer & the distributor is dropped into the block and fully seated,the rotor & tfi module should be pointing just like shown in the picture below (the picture shown is with an efi intake,but its still the correct rotor/tfi position.The position will of course change as soon as the engine is started & the distributor is moved to advance the timing to the desired value) If the ecu isnt being used,the timing has to be set at whatever advanced position you want to run the engine at 100% of the time,since the distributor doesn't have mechanical or vacuum advance and no ecu controlled advance either,since the computer is not being used.
haha, that is some cool **** right there. I never even thought about being able to do that. You even have the plug installed so the computer advances the timing.
if it was mine, for ****s and giggles, I would check it with a timing gun to see if the computer is actually advancing the timing still.
So in terms of the timing and dizzy, get a msd carb specific distributor, and coil and be done? Or is a 6AL box also necessary? I have no problem spending the extra $$ to do it the right way
02-26-2019, 11:29 PM
Engine wiring harness delete ?? Help
