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CJ5 304 Junkyard TBI install

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CJ5 304 Junkyard TBI install
L

Ligered

Jeeper
Posts
48
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0
Location
Canada
Vehicle(s)
1980 CJ5, 304, 4psd
Hello everyone. I'm a technology education student in BC Canada. I just picked up my dream Jeep, a 1980 Jeep CJ5 with a AMC 304 . I have 4 weeks before the year is finished here at the university and I have to drive this Jeep home 500 miles away.

I'm hoping you guys can help me make my deadline.

Drove the jeep onto the trailer when i picked it up, ran great for 15 seconds then flooded itself out with a busted accelerator pump I figure. Ran great for another 15seconds when driving it out off the trailer. Long enough to drive it in to the parking stall at the dorms here. I've always preferred fuel injection so I figured a chevy Throttle-body Injection swap great place to start.

I have read GatorBates thread and several others which have been a great help but most threads have dead pictures or links.
https://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f2/fuel-injectioning-amc-304-a-10185/

I want to do this right the first time so be sure to speak up if I'm making any mistakes.

IMG_20170427_002758%201.webp
 
Started by removing the carb and stripping the fuel lines back to the tank. The tank is in good shape, but everything up to it is rotten including the fuel level sending unit.

IMG_20170423_181615.webp

I ordered:
Airtex External Electric Fuel Pumps E8094 which you can't get locally in canada for less than $170 so let me know if anyone has had problems running this pump. It was the only pump I found that I couldn't find anyone saying it didn't work great.
Free Flow Rate: 50 gph
Maximum Pressure (psi): 17 psi
https://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/atx-e8094/overview/

Omix-Ada 17724.07 Fuel Tank Sending Unit
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B003KRB0EU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Along with relays, fuel filter and a mechanical pump block off plate.
 
Ligered said:
I want to do this right the first time so be sure to speak up if I'm making any mistakes.
Click to expand...

I admire your enthusiasm.

Personally, I would have just rebuilt the carb, and drove the CJ for a bit to see what else is going to surprise you.
 
So my shopping list for this weekend at the wreckers is:

ECU with wiring harness
MAP senor
Throttle body unit
Temp sensor
ALDL wiring
Fuel Pump relay (just in case)

Am i missing anything?

Now I have 3 questions for you guys.

1. I've read that I can modify my distributor to work with the TBI system. I do want to run it in open loop, will the stock one work? The links I have found all say you can, but then have used HEI distributors.

2. Does anyone have a working link for a solution to make the VSS work with AMC 304 /Dana 300 ? I haven't been able to find one.

3. Does anyone have CAD files for the adapter plate? Or either the AMC 304 or Chevy Throttle body mounting surface side?
 
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HackFabrication said:
I admire your enthusiasm.

Personally, I would have just rebuilt the carb, and drove the CJ for a bit to see what else is going to surprise you.
Click to expand...

That would have been the smart thing to do for sure HackFabrication.

I would be swapping to FI soon anyways even if the carb was working perfectly. And if I do it now, I can make the adapter place with all the fun lasers and waterjet cutters and CNC routers and mills while I'm still at the university here.
 
Welcome to the forum! :)

I've had both a carburetor and a TBI conversion kit on my CJ5s. While the TBI has its own set of challenges, it's no where near the hell I went through with my Rochester 2bbl carburetor. Had it professionally rebuilt, and still was nothing but trouble. The TBI gets better gas milage, and will startup and run every time.

That said, my TBI unit was a complete kit the PO bought from Howell. At $1,500, its probably more then you wanna spend. If your planning on buying the parts individually, you may have some issue with programming the ECM chip so it works with your AMC 304 . Most of the parts you can find easily online though. I found a rebuilt throttle body for $230 on eBay.

GOOD LUCK!!

CHEVY GMC 87-95 4.3L V6 TRUCK VAN ASTRO SILVERADO S10 BLAZER TBI THROTTLE BODY | eBay

Jeep
 
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Subscription, I still plan to do this someday. I would think a computer from a chevy 305 should be programmed close enough to work


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Just a side note - IF you swap to a HEI distributor for any reason, use your old distributor gear on the new HEI - if you can't, buy a new matched set from MSD and change the one on the end of the camshaft to...

Will be watching the rest of your progress :notworthy:

:chug:
 
Ligered said:
Very helpful, thank you. For tuning, there are ways to reprogram the chips in the 1227747 right?
Click to expand...
You can't re-write a stock chip.
The stock chip will get you running, but it won't be right.
You need a programmable chip.
 
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Ligered said:
1. I've read that I can modify my distributor to work with the TBI system. I do want to run it in open loop, will the stock one work? The links I have found all say you can, but then have used HEI distributors.

2. Does anyone have a working link for a solution to make the VSS work with AMC 304 /Dana 300 ? I haven't been able to find one.
Click to expand...

Yes, you can modify your stock MC distributor to computer advance and it's fairly easy to do. Do a search.

There is a inline speedo cable VSS that works for both Dana 20 and Dana 300 . Again you should find it with a search.
 
Ligered, I have had pretty good luck with that Airtex E8904 fuel pump. I use it with the Howell kit and would recommend it.
 
Posi said:
There is a inline speedo cable VSS that works for both Dana 20 and Dana 300 . Again you should find it with a search.
Click to expand...

The issue I'm having is the I have the 1980 short output, and I'm not exactly sure which speedo cable VSS to get. Also, the only VSS I can find are the 4k or 8k versions. I would like the 2k/2 pulse to match the stock one from the late 80s GM tbi. Lots of searching but can't find anything substantial. Hopefully someone here has dealt with this same setup.

Unless the ONLY difference the 8k inline VSS makes is the speed it displays when hooked up to a computer

Still, I'd prefer to not spend $AMC 150 + on the Jags or Painless unit.

Edit: Sorry Posi, I didn't understand that the 1980 Dana 300 was the same as a Jeep Dana 20 . I still can't find the right part but that put me in the right direction. Thank you
 
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Torxhead said:
Ligered, I have had pretty good luck with that Airtex E8904 fuel pump. I use it with the Howell kit and would recommend it.
Click to expand...

Excellent. I originally ordered the E8153, but cancelled after hearing too many people having issues. 5x as much money, should be worth it
 
Still waiting for parts to come in. Did a dry compression test on the engine.

161 psi
165
165
162

157
176
164
145

What do those numbers tell you? I thought stock was around AMC 150 new? How Worried should I be about the second set?

IMG_20170428_151952.webp
 
If you are going to run an external pump, I would suggest a high flow fuel filter like a Fram G3802A. Prior to the pump to protect it. Placed at a location below or at the level of the fuel tank. Mine seems to work mounted on the frame next to the Transfer Case . The fuel pretty much has to be able siphon to the pump. The fuel tank vent system must be working properly also. Watch the gas gauge, running out of gas can overheat and burn up the pump. Good Luck!
 
Ligered said:
Still waiting for parts to come in. Did a dry compression test on the engine.

161 psi
165
165
162

157
176
164
145

What do those numbers tell you? I thought stock was around AMC 150 new? How Worried should I be about the second set?

IMG_20170428_151952.webp
Click to expand...

Did you pull all the plugs and oil the cylinders? I usually read the third set of numbers.
 
Torxhead said:
Did you pull all the plugs and oil the cylinders? I usually read the third set of numbers.
Click to expand...

Those were the numbers for each cylinder. It was a dry test, no oil in the cylinders. I'm not sure what you mean by the third set of numbers? Thanks for the help.

*Edit, I didn't add oil to the cylinders. Could the high numbers come from oil leaking in?
 
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