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View Full Version : Snake did the TFI conversion!!!


Snakeyes_Tx
09-06-2001, 07:02 PM
Man it was a LOT more expensive than I thought! I got the Autozone 8mm plug wires, and they've got the dielectric grease in them already. I bought the coil, wiring, cap, rotor, and adapter also. Some POSI-LOCK connectors (since I don't solder anything) and it was 84 bucks. Then I went and bought a Tach while I was under there so 34 dollars later I'm up to over 120 now.

I HATE MOSQUITOS! I can't stand the little bast..err... family board... you get the idea.

It took me a little over two hours with one small hanging light in the pitch black of night in my driveway since I don't have a garage!

I mounted the coil with a piece of strap steel for now next to the battery. The coil wire to the distributor cap was WAY too short. So I used one of the old spark plug wires for now until I can move the coil over. I left the old coil in place just in case the TFI parts fail. I can always just unplug my posilocks and wrap the wires around the old coil's posts and be back to the old style that way. Never can be too careful!

The wires with all the smog stuff was a TOTAL PITA!!! :mad: I got all my cuts and bruises trying to muscle them on the plugs to CLICK into place! #2 and a few others seem to be a little short and stretched. I gotta switch some wires around. I got it for an 86 F-350 with 460 engine to keep parts the same. I like the chunky 45 degree ends on the plug end, but the CAP ends wires seemed so much smaller than stock. The rotor and adapter/cap was a snap to put on. I probably would have saved a burn on my forearm if I waited till morning when the motor was cool.

It fired right up the first time since I was VERY meticulous about the rotor and firing order. I did the plug wires one at a time and photographically memorized where #1 was on the old cap. Unfortunately, I still noticed a miss in high idle. That was a HUGE disappointment to me. The timing MIGHT be a hair off... its possible. Any other ideas why the miss is still there???

What I DID notice which was SUPER nice, NO MORE 1/1000th of a second of hesitation at take off from a stop. It was instant movement with no small "delay" in response. Although I didn't drive it much, it just seemed that the power-band got a little healthier.

I need to find a coil bracket and I'll put it next to the old one and Then the coil wire that came with the Zone plug wires should fit no problem.

I wish I didn't spend money I didn't really have, but it was fun, I got a tach on my upper left corner of my windsheild (I do 2000 rpm at 60), and I did something I wanted to do for a long time. I'm not really sure if I can justify the cost of this conversion yet... more details later I guess.

Thank you for the Parts list!!

[ September 07, 2001: Message edited by: Snakeyes_Tx ]

JeepFreak
09-07-2001, 12:33 AM
Snake, I hear ya on spending money you don't have! I did the conversion last weekend trying to locate a engine cut out at 2,500 rpm. I really didn't have the money but did it anyways. I to still have a low idle miss that seems to come and go. Well TFI was never meant to be the cure all.

mccullough_89_GW
09-07-2001, 01:48 AM
Hey guy s I was going to do the upgrade here this weekend or next...
Did it help with starting or idleing? :confused:
I was hoping it would help the engine start up abit more easily, My wife is really disappointed in the GW, mainly because sometimes it's a bugger to start... i think I might do the change anyway.. I like the idea of a hotter spark....
kel smile.gif smile.gif tongue.gif

joe
09-07-2001, 02:03 AM
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mccullough_89_GW:
Hey guy s I was going to do the upgrade here this weekend or next...
Did it help with starting or idleing? :confused:
I was hoping it would help the engine start up abit more easily, My wife is really disappointed in the GW, mainly because sometimes it's a bugger to start... i think I might do the change anyway.. I like the idea of a hotter spark....
kel smile.gif smile.gif tongue.gif<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The reason your lady is unhappy with the way the starts is cause somethings wrong with it. The TFI swap is a great thing but if you're starting prob isn't in the ign system thowing $100 at it isn't going change anything. I would first start of by fixing what isn't working...carb, plugs, wires maybe ign whatever before doing upgrades. An old antique points dist(most of mine) start right up if everything is in spec.
Diagnose your prob first...the $100 or so may well be better spent on your rig getting the carb fixed or doing a good complete tune up. Hate to see you drop $100 and it's still tough to start :(

Snakeyes_Tx
09-07-2001, 04:32 AM
I'm going to have to agree with Joe on this one, except, half of the TFI conversion is Plugs, and wires, with a different cap and rotor. The wires, and the coil are the most expensive parts, like 50 bucks for those two parts. Everything else is cheap.

I would clean out your carb, maybe rebuild it. Yes my starting is a little bit easier, but sometimes I'm an idiot and turn the key WAY too short and then I have to crank it a few more times than normal.

Ernzo
09-07-2001, 06:48 AM
HEy, I thought that one deal was that one could increase the gap to 45, making a better spark /better burn?? And if you did'nt do this, there would be little effect? I am likely wrong, however!!

E :eek:

RdHawg
09-07-2001, 12:11 PM
I too would like to jump on the TFI wagon(pun intended), but my SWB jeep guru at work suggested that the chevy HEI setup was a better ignition. Is he right? Is it doable to a buick 350? If not wherever did you get the parts list for the TFI Conversion?

Thanks
Brian