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07-19-2011, 10:26 PM
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Grease Monkey
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Join Date: Dec 13, 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 277
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Quote:
Originally Posted by seventynine
I replaced every bit of fuel line back when I did the swap and I have had to replace all of the rubber lines twice since then.
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Did you bite the bullet and buy the 24k gold plated fuel injection hose? I did to the tune of almost $70 (and this still using the stock metal fuel line where I could). So far I haven't had any problems in almost 2 years.
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'88 Grand Wagoneer, towing package, 360 .030, Holley Street Dominator intake, Holley Projection, rv cam, double roller timing chain, HEI, CS144, oil pump mid plate, Thorley Headers, BJ's 3" exhaust, and more...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWWCj...layer_embedded
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10-27-2015, 05:24 PM
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232 I6
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Join Date: Oct 11, 2015
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davidrussell74
Does anyone know about how much I would pay a mechanic when all is said and done to install a Howell EFI in my 83 Cherokee, Inline 6, 258?
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Reviving this thread, as this seems to be an increasingly common topic on this and other forums.
I was recently quoted around $3k by a VERY reputable Denver-area Jeep mechanic for a Howell TBI conversion. This includes the kit (smog legal version), with tuning and all the fixins. Considering it, as the long-term peace of mind, reliability, and drive-ability of EFI sound worth it, particularly when I'm still recovering from my Wag stalling in an intersection during morning rush hour.
Members on this board who have the time and experience for the junkyard/ DIY approach, please refrain from flaming or suggesting that I buy a Prius.
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Life Member, FSJ Prissy Restoration Association
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10-27-2015, 06:24 PM
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out of order
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Join Date: Jun 08, 2005
Location: Land of froot loops and cukcoo-nuts, CA
Posts: 9,809
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DenverWoody
Reviving this thread, as this seems to be an increasingly common topic on this and other forums.
I was recently quoted around $3k by a VERY reputable Denver-area Jeep mechanic for a Howell TBI conversion. This includes the kit (smog legal version), with tuning and all the fixins. Considering it, as the long-term peace of mind, reliability, and drive-ability of EFI sound worth it, particularly when I'm still recovering from my Wag stalling in an intersection during morning rush hour.
Members on this board who have the time and experience for the junkyard/ DIY approach, please refrain from flaming or suggesting that I buy a Prius.
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Howell TBI isn't a magic fix all, if you currently have fuel delivery issues, or ignition issues, or electrical issues you will still have them.
Fix your current problems(before converting), or be prepared to spend a bunch more $$$.
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Tony
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10-28-2015, 06:45 AM
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232 I6
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Join Date: Aug 03, 2011
Location: Monroe Mi
Posts: 162
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I have a Chevy system in my cherokee and it work great and no flaws. i you drive your rig in the winter it make a big difference than bring carb'd.
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BIG RED 31inch Mickey Thompsons Baja MTZ, Rustys 4 inch full spring lift, 1973 AMC 360 Chevy TBI, edelbrock performer intake,.030 over, crane cam, dubble roller timing set,TH400, BW1339, Dana 44 front and rear, Bj's offroad prerunner bumper. Full size for life with the exception of GM product and no Fords.
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11-10-2015, 10:27 PM
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Noob!
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Join Date: Apr 25, 2015
Location: VA
Posts: 10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DenverWoody
Reviving this thread, as this seems to be an increasingly common topic on this and other forums.
I was recently quoted around $3k by a VERY reputable Denver-area Jeep mechanic for a Howell TBI conversion. This includes the kit (smog legal version), with tuning and all the fixins. Considering it, as the long-term peace of mind, reliability, and drive-ability of EFI sound worth it, particularly when I'm still recovering from my Wag stalling in an intersection during morning rush hour.
Members on this board who have the time and experience for the junkyard/ DIY approach, please refrain from flaming or suggesting that I buy a Prius.
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Collin's Brothers Jeep sells the Howell Emission Legal kit on Ebay for $1399.95 + $21.45 shipping = $1421.40 total. If you choose to buy from them make sure you let them know what year, model, and engine size you're getting the kit for. They don't ask, and I idiotically didn't think to tell them, so I unfortunately got the wrong kit. Instead of getting the 360 kit I was sent one for a 304, which has smaller injectors and a different cal-prom. Howell was great about fixing the issue. Collins Brothers is just a drop shipper, the kit comes directly from Howell.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/250671388427?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageNa me=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
BJ's sells it for $1450 plus shipping. Members here can get a 15% discount if you drop them an email and let them know you're a IFSJA member. I kind of doubt that the 15% discount can be used on the Howell kit though, if it can, that would be a great deal. If I would have bought my kit from them it would have saved me a lot of time and hassle.
http://www.bjsoffroad.com/Howell-Fue...gal_p_550.html
http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=74030
I just got finished installing the Howell Emissions kit on my '85 J20. It runs great but I did a good little bit of modifying to the kit, extending wires here, extending wires there. Since I have no room whatsoever under my dash (factory air), I ended up mounting the ECM in a box under the hood. An old military 20mm ammo can I've had for years came in handy, and worked perfectly.
The kit is straight forward and fairly easy to install. You will need to weld in the oxygen sensor bung in your exhaust. If you decide to do it yourself and don't have a welder, or someone to do it for you, you can take off your Y pipe, and take it to a muffler shop and get them to weld it on. The only tuning you might want to do is check your engine timing, the EFI kit needs no tuning, it has a basic program, and it learns and adjust as it goes. As for other parts, you'll need a 12vdc red LED light for the check engine light. It's a little disappointing they don't supply one with the kit. When Radio Shack was around you could get one fairly cheaply, I had to go to Autozone and spend $10 for one some little Chinese kid was probably paid .25 to make. Other than that, you'll probably need vacuum hose, size adapters for the hose, some wire, and a wire ring terminal or two.
The only other thing to do is mount the fuel pump and filter, run the hoses and wire it up. One last minor disappointment with the kit is, they provide an offset stud for the throttle body to mount your air cleaner, but no nut. Your stock stud is 1/4" x 20, the one with the kit is 8mm x 1.25. Another trip to the hardware store. Oh, one more thing, my truck has cruise control, and the throttle body with the kit has no provision for hooking it up so I had to make an attachment point for it, same for the transmission TVS cable. For the throttle cable hook up, I bought a Holley carburetor stud kit. Actually, even one more thing, you'll need a bracket for the MAP sensor. I thought about hitting the junk yard for a factory one, but ended up making one out of some sheet metal I had laying around. For roughly $1500, I think this little part should be included in the kit as well.
Like babywag said, make sure everything is working okay before the swap, and it should go smooth. I did have one of the carburetor heater tube plate bolts break off, so I had to drill it out and re-tap it, which was kind of a pain in the butt, but for a thirty year old vehicle that can be expected.
If I was close to you I'd gladly give you a hand installing it, but I'm half a country away from you. It is sweet, once installed, I turned the key, it fired right up and purred like a kitten.
You just have to decide if you're able, or willing to install it yourself, or if it's worth paying $1500+ to have it installed. Info help is here if you need it.
Last edited by vajeepj20 : 11-12-2015 at 12:25 PM.
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11-11-2015, 02:48 PM
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oh i wish i had a cool handle.......
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Join Date: Jan 20, 2015
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 146
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I did the Howell conversion on my 1989 Grand Wagoneer and I couldn't be happier. It starts right up and it idles perfectly. Last week I had it inspected and it breezed through NJ State Inspection Emissions which is no easy task! IMHO it was way worth the money 
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11-13-2015, 06:00 PM
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230 Tornado
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Join Date: Oct 05, 2015
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 11
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I put a Howell kit on my 84 GW 360. I ordered in straight from Howell. They asked all the pertinent questions and the installation was quite smooth. The instructions are very detailed, but are a one size fits all, which is understandable. I have a full MSD ignition and needed to put the coil wire in a different place. I called and talked to Rob and he got me straight. Starts and runs great. Another note I had all parts mentioned above that were not included in some (air cleaner wing nut, etc).
Do make sure you know your engine specs, as in rebuilt, manifold, ignition. All these matter in the system they send.
I would not pay a mechanic to do it. It is remarkably easy. Just go slow and dont skip.
And yes, make sure you are running right first.
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1984 Grand Wagoneer - Howell TBI, NV241, 6" Frankinlift, Detroits front and rear, Warn 8274  , 35 MTRs and soft leather
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11-19-2015, 03:45 PM
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232 I6
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Join Date: Oct 11, 2015
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigOberg
I did the Howell conversion on my 1989 Grand Wagoneer and I couldn't be happier. It starts right up and it idles perfectly. Last week I had it inspected and it breezed through NJ State Inspection Emissions which is no easy task! IMHO it was way worth the money 
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Lots to like about the Howell kit, apparently. If you installed it yourself, what's your level of mechanical expertise? If you had a shop do it (and you don't mind me asking) what did you pay for installation?
Thanks!
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Life Member, FSJ Prissy Restoration Association
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11-19-2015, 10:12 PM
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oh i wish i had a cool handle.......
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Join Date: Jan 20, 2015
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DenverWoody
Lots to like about the Howell kit, apparently. If you installed it yourself, what's your level of mechanical expertise? If you had a shop do it (and you don't mind me asking) what did you pay for installation?
Thanks!
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I installed the entire kit myself. It's not that bad. Just read over the installation instructions about 100 times before you attemp it. Do things in groups. Old parts removal, hardware installation, plumbing and then all of the wiring. There are a few things you'll need to fab up like your throttle linkage and transmission kickdown. Also if you don't have a welder or can't weld you could get someone or a shop to weld in your O2 bung for you. As long as you take your time and just follow the instructions and check things off of the list as you go you'll be done and running in no time. When I have the time I plan on writing up an in depth Howell installation thread complete with pics. I purposely breezed over it in my build thread because I had always planned on doing it seperately for the site. There's a lot of good info in a ton of different posts on here that did help me in my install but not one post that goes through it all. After months of researching on here and other sites I figured it all out and installed mine without a hitch. I drive it daily now and it has been great 
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01-07-2021, 07:40 PM
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230 Tornado
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Join Date: Feb 12, 2020
Location: CA
Posts: 2
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Fuel Injection Problems
My 1978 Cherokee Chief with a 401 engine runs out of gas at half tank.
But does start back up until the next stop light when it dies again upon acceleration.
Have the howell setup, new tank, new pump, new sending unit, and new pick up tube.
I have been told the following:
No baffles so it sucks air.
Have you heard of this before.
I would appreciate and info that you can give me or point me to.
Thanks in advance.
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01-08-2021, 09:14 AM
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258 I6
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Join Date: Nov 26, 2019
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 366
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eskimokodiak
My 1978 Cherokee Chief with a 401 engine runs out of gas at half tank.
But does start back up until the next stop light when it dies again upon acceleration.
Have the howell setup, new tank, new pump, new sending unit, and new pick up tube.
I have been told the following:
No baffles so it sucks air.
Have you heard of this before.
I would appreciate and info that you can give me or point me to.
Thanks in advance.
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Sounds like your pick up tube isn't low enough to avoid fuel starvation. Have you looked into something like Holley's HydraMat?
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01-08-2021, 01:10 PM
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327 Rambler
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Join Date: May 20, 2014
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 725
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eskimokodiak
My 1978 Cherokee Chief with a 401 engine runs out of gas at half tank.
But does start back up until the next stop light when it dies again upon acceleration.
Have the howell setup, new tank, new pump, new sending unit, and new pick up tube.
I have been told the following:
No baffles so it sucks air.
Have you heard of this before.
I would appreciate and info that you can give me or point me to.
Thanks in advance.
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http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=186182
__________________
1990 Grand Wagoneer with HD towing package -- everything works! (for now...)
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01-08-2021, 04:33 PM
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out of order
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Join Date: Jun 08, 2005
Location: Land of froot loops and cukcoo-nuts, CA
Posts: 9,809
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Quote:
Originally Posted by acct21
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80-up totally different animal in every way.
Early tank pickups can be problematic for efi.
There is nothing to prevent fuel slosh other than keeping tank full all time.
Different ways to skin the cat.
Surge tank setup, mod tank with aftermarket pickup/pump solution, stuff a later model efi tank under the truck.
__________________
Tony
Last edited by babywag : 01-17-2021 at 07:51 PM.
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01-14-2021, 07:30 PM
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hey,does anyone here know how to.......
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Join Date: Jul 30, 2000
Location: WA State
Posts: 4,520
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i thought a looooooong time ago there is a "mesh honeycomb kind of thing you can stuff down the sender opening to help relieve the issue? don't remember how they solved the float interference issue.............. 
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Abort? Retry? Ignore? >
86 GrandWag. Howell fuel Injected 360. MSD Ignition + Dizzy. 727/229 swap BJ's 2" Lift and 31's
88 Wrangler 4.2, Howell TBI and MSD - Borla Headers w/ Cat-back + winch and 31's AND a M416 trailer (-:
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