Glenn's 76 Cherokee TBI swap

[TUDrewser]

Looking good man! Just got a bunch of parts yesterday...ECU, TB, injectors, sensors, harness, coil, GM ignition "box" (chip?). I'm getting close to ordering the cable and software to bench test and re-inventory to see what else I need. When I look at it and start to feel overwhelmed, I come re-read your thread and others to get excited again

[Renodemona]

It's not too hard, just make sure you get a good wiring harness. That's why I got a newly made one from that shop in Cali. They basically collected up all the stuff from a junkyard car, wired up a new harness, and called it a 'kit.' Not a bad thing, just wish I had done a bit more research before diving in. Oh well, it's all sorted now. The only problem I think I have left is that it won't stay running in idle but if I put my foot into it a little it ran ok. That was how I noticed it blowing oil all over the place past the intake gasket.

I just noted you have a 1990, is yours a 2 barrel? I think the adapter plate I mailed you only works for the 4-barrel Motorcraft 4350 not the 4100/2100. If so I'll refund ya. Or mail you my old manifold.

[TUDrewser]

Right now I have a 2 barrel, but I have a 4b Edelbrock Performer waiting to go in with the TBI setup Will the plate you sent work with that? And already have a junkyard harness thinned and labeled...so just hope it works.

What did you do for programming/logging cable and such? Did you do Moates? Which cable, and did you have to get a chip adapter or something?

[Renodemona]

It should work with the Performer but you can bolt the TBI directly to it. You might need a spacer depending on what mount/adapter you use to mount the TB.

I currently don't have any programming cables and stuff. I used to have whatever came with the Moates basic tuner setup thing for my Subaru but I sold it with the car. Probably should look into some of that...

[Renodemona]

Detail shot of the mounting for the temperature sensors. Stock sensor goes on the driver's side, sensor for the ECU goes on the passenger's side.

[Renodemona]

Disaster! Went to go fire her up today and after a little bit of chugging I got a backfire through the throttle body so hot and full of flame that it lit the hood insulation on fire. A couple tense moments followed, but no real damage done except to my frayed nerves So I'm thinking there might be something else going on here. Stuck valve? Timing perhaps? (also going to post over in the stock FSJ section since some folks don't normally check in here)

[FSJ Guy]

This happened with the TBI system installed, yes?

Did you get the distributor 180 degrees out of phase? Easy to do.

Your distributor pickup wires could be reversed, but that usually just causes rough running.

[Renodemona]

Sorry for the long delay! It was the cam gear all along. Replacement should be going in by the end of the week and its back to getting the TBI dialed in.

[Renodemona]

Got everything buttoned back up today and made a quick video. Very pleased with how it all worked out (eventually)! Definitely not too hard of a project to get through if you are at all mechanically inclined. Best move I made was buying a new wiring harness rather than piecing one together myself. Now I have to clean everything up and finish the install of the ECM in the cab. Thank you to everyone who helped out and made suggestions, kept me going when the only thought in my head was "I want to flip this thing over and light it on fire!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VoUAli ... e=youtu.be

Sorry about the crappy quality, I have no idea what was up with my camera. Enjoy!

[FSJ Guy]

Cool!!! Get that O2 sensor in and get tuning! : D

[FSJ Guy]

Which TBI adapter did you end up using?

[Renodemona]

I ended up using a 3/8" spacer and the TD 2210. The Edelbrock manifold is square bore so it simplified things greatly. So I have the 4350->holley still if you want it! Can't wait to get the sensor in and start playing with the tune a little bit. No timing control so it does limit things a little but I can adjust the fuel map a little if I want too.

[ThunderWagon]

Congrats on getting it running, sounds good!

Sent via telegraph

[243]

Modifying an MC distributor is a piece of cake, I agree with the other member and say let the ECM control timing.

[FSJ Guy]

If your OE distributor is doing fine in regards to timing, don't mess with it.

I just like it because you CAN mess with it. Without getting dirty, too!

But if yours works, leave it alone. : D

[Renodemona]

Right now it is working awesome! Now I get to finalize the install by cleaning up all the wiring harness, mounting the fuel pump relay for reals, building the heat shield for the fuel pump/filter, building a mount for the ECM, and sealing up the hole I drilled for the wires. I also want to install a little secondary gauge panel with a tach, SES lamp, and more precise oil pressure unit. I already removed the A/C stuff from the engine bay (except the compressor because I'm too lazy to go to Oreily and get a new belt for the alternator), can I remove the vent unit under the dash? Or is it hooked up to the regular vent system still?

[babywag]

AC unit can come out, 100% independent of heat, they share nothing in common.