Distributor mods for junkyard tbi

[gte901m]

I'm making progress on my junkyard tbi conversion. Today, I tackled my distributor conversion - thought I would share a few pictures. Sorry, I got half way through before I thought to take pictures, so this is not a step by step thread.

First you need to remove the distributor. I did this on a spare distributor, but if you are pulling the one in your truck, it will make life easier on reinstallation if you put the engine at TDC on the compression stroke for the #1 cylinder.

Next, you need to take everything apart so you can lock out the mechanical and vacuum advance.

I removed the weights on the mechanical advance, and welded it together with two spot welds. I left the springs on to keep it in place while welding.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff166/gte901m/1241894138.jpg

To lock out the vacuum advance, I re-installed the vacuum module so I could mark the location of the pick up on the base plate. Then I removed the module and cut the pull arm off. I flipped it upside down, drilled a hole it in, and secured it with a machine screw and nut (plus locktite).

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff166/gte901m/1241894164.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff166/gte901m/1241894182.jpg

I even got around to installing my tbi wiring harness. I cut a hole in the AC block off plate, and used a grommet.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff166/gte901m/1241908782.jpg

Also mounted my new efi fuel pump to the frame. Its a E2182 with a fram G2 filter (universal from walmart). I used the factory coil bracket to mount it.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff166/gte901m/1241908553.jpg

[Chris P.]

:thumbsup:

Nice job! Does the screw locking out the vac advance clear the parts underneath?

The coil bracket makes a nice fuel pump holder doesn't it.

[FSJ Guy]

Looks good. I just left the vac advance alone. I just don't hook it up.

What did you do about your wiring being so close to the exhaust manifold?

I've got my TBI wiring going through that same port, but I'm worried about it getting rather toasty next to the exhaust.

[gte901m]

Nice job! Does the screw locking out the vac advance clear the parts underneath?

The coil bracket makes a nice fuel pump holder doesn't it.

Yes, it clears everything underneath the plate. If you look at the underside picture I posted, I put the machine screw in the little recessed area - this gave me a little extra clearance. I think I spent an hour measuring and thinking before I came up with this game plan.

I got the coil bracket idea from you - works great. :thumbsup:

Next on the list is welding the O2 bung and mounting the knock sensor (tomorrow). Then it will be time to pull the trigger on the conversion. I like to do things in stages where I can keep the J20 drivable.

[gte901m]

Looks good. I just left the vac advance alone. I just don't hook it up.

I guess I could have done that, but I wanted to clean things up a little.

What did you do about your wiring being so close to the exhaust manifold?

I've got my TBI wiring going through that same port, but I'm worried about it getting rather toasty next to the exhaust.

My harness is out of a full size van, so it is extra long. I ran the harness between the heater box and the inner fender. If it gets too hot, I'll put some of that expensive heat shield wire wrap on it. I think I will be good though, with the way I have it ran.

[Chris P.]

I didn't come up with the coil bracket idea though. I think I read that
somewhere on binderplanet.com.

I see you put the ac block off plate back on from the inside. I had to do the same thing. I would have never gotten it back on without removing the heater box.

I ran my harness tucked against the firewall and ran it inbetween the blower and heaterbox then over the heater box to the engine. There isn't much room, and I had to take the blower off to get it in there, but it will fit.

[gte901m]

I ran my harness tucked against the firewall and ran it inbetween the blower and heaterbox then over the heater box to the engine. There isn't much room, and I had to take the blower off to get it in there, but it will fit.

Good idea. I may have to do that. I have plenty of harness length. I think there is an honest 3-4 feet inside the cab that I could pull back into the engine bay if I wanted to re-rout it.

Which side of the block did you mount your knock sensor on? I ran the wire on my harness to reach the driver's side.

[Chris P.]

I mounted it in the drain plug on the passenger side right above the starter. I think thats the same place it is mounted on a chevy.

[gte901m]

Is there a drain plug on the driver's side?

[Chris P.]

Yes, it is near the end of the starter.

[gte901m]

Yes, it is near the end of the starter.

I was curious if there was one on the driver's side. The starter is on the passenger side.:)

Or are you saying its on the rear of the engine, on the driver's side?

[Chris P.]

Doh! :o

Yes there is one on the driver's side.

[gte901m]

Thanks bud :thumbsup:

[jaber]

Its looking real nice!:thumbsup:
I just put a fancy little vacuum plug onto my dizzy vac port also. As for the harness through the fire wall, I like your idea, but I still have the A/C in mine. Heres where mine went.

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh14/jeffaber/TBI010.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh14/jeffaber/TBI011.jpg

Looks great!!!:drivin:

[FSJ Guy]

Its looking real nice!:thumbsup:
I just put a fancy little vacuum plug onto my dizzy vac port also. As for the harness through the fire wall, I like your idea, but I still have the A/C in mine. Heres where mine went.

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh14/jeffaber/TBI010.jpg


That's not a factory hole, is it?

The hole I used on mine was on the passenger side to the LEFT of the A/C port. It's right up against the passenger side manifold.

I might have to think about re-routing mine like yours is show there. That looks nice. What's on the backside?

[jaber]

I took a 2" hole saw and bought a rubber plug to fit and hollowed out the plug for a tight fit. Here are a couple more pics of where on the firewall it comes through. I like the fact that its out of the way and not at all close to anything hot.

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh14/jeffaber/TBI008.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh14/jeffaber/TBI009.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh14/jeffaber/motor002.jpg

I can get you more pics if you want them.

[FSJ Guy]

Thanks! Now I know where to put mine!

[gte901m]

Yes there is one on the driver's side.

Got my knock sensor installed today. I decided to put it on the driver's side. That way I can run the wire for the O2 sensor and the knock sensor together in a heat resistant shield.

The factory plug is a hex head plug. After I removed the plug, nothing came out - it was plugged up with trash. A quick poke with a screw driver, and coolant was flowing.:thumbsup: Knock sensor screws right in.

On a side note: I was draining the radiator into a bucket while standing in front of the truck drinking a beer. My neighbor looked over and stared....I think she thought I was peeing on the ground - from the sound of the coolant hitting the bucket. I waved, she kept looking, then finally waved. :D

[Chris P.]

After I removed the plug, nothing came out - it was plugged up with trash. A quick poke with a screw driver, and coolant was flowing.:thumbsup: Knock sensor screws right in.

I almost did the same thing, but then decided it was better not to poke it.:D

On a side note: I was draining the radiator into a bucket while standing in front of the truck drinking a beer. My neighbor looked over and stared....I think she thought I was peeing on the ground - from the sound of the coolant hitting the bucket. I waved, she kept looking, then finally waved. :D
Drinking that green St. Patrick's Day beer?

[gte901m]

Man, it was too funny. My neighbor is an older lady. She is nice as she can be, but I don't think she knows what to think about me sometimes. She also has a really nice garden, and brings me fresh veggies:thumbsup: . I cut her grass for her in the heat of the summer, so it evens out.