3.0's ignition systems: Can it be converted to EDIS w/ EEC-IV?

[Ranger44]

I'm not a huge fan of distributor ignition. Too many parts.

My question, and it's mostly out of interest, is it possible to convert a distributor 3.0 (a 94') to EDIS?

I mean, there may not be anything wrong with the ignition setup on my truck. I just prefer less parts and less moving parts. If it can be done with J-yard parts, that'd be excellent and possibly an interesting project.

OR am I stuck swapping in a 4.0 to gain EDIS?

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

I like distributors because of their simplicity; fewer sensors
to go bad, and really the only extra moving part over EDIS
is the rotor, and how hard can that be to change...?

I've already had to replace the cam synchro in mine, (at under 60K miles).

 

[AllanD]

Actually if you can get the front parts of the engine
(the timing cover and crank pulley/Vibration dampenen)
and the crank sensor for the '95-up 3.0 and swap those parts onto your truck and remove the pieces of a 4.0 engine harness from another ranger same year as yours
you can retrofit EDIS within the EEC4 management.

If you really look at the wiring for EDIS so far as the engine computer is
concerned no different than the TFI system.

Yeah the parts are different and scattered around the engine bay differently
but the parts of the system that are wired differently is mostly between the EDIS module itself and the coil pack, the REAST of the ignition system is
archetecturally the same.....

The Cam position sensor has NOTHING to do with the Ignition system,
that's all about timing the injections pulses for SEFI.

I have EDIS on my 1993 4.0 engine but no cam sensor.

So, if you REALLY want EDIS there is no technical reason you can't have it
I'm just telling you that you don't need to switch to EEC5 to do it.

AD

 

[Ranger44]

Thanks.....this really brings hope to the situation.

I did a little research:

Timing cover already has the proper holes for a CPS. I couldn't tell for sure if it was threaded or not, but they are there. i may just pull a front cover if i can for backup.

I could get a dampener with the proper teeth on it from a Taurus, later Ranger, or Windstar and use my current pulley.

I went through a junk 93' 4.0 Harness and pulled all the wires dealing with the EDIS. There are the power and ground that splice into the main power and grounds for most of the other sensors, etc. The other 4 wires go to the PCM and go in the exact same spots as the TFI stuff. Rpm input = pin 4 / Spark output (spout) = pin 36 / Profile ignition pickup (PIP) = pin 56 / & the ignition ground goes to pin 16. They are exactly the same between the 3L and 4L.

The other control wires: Yellow w/ black, red, and white go to the coil pack.

I'm doing a job for a yard that i frequent and have the option to be paid in parts.....I may make these parts part of the deal.

Another very nice thing about TFI and EDIS is that they are pretty much stand alone systems and separate from my understanding, which is why this swap can easily be done with the right parts and wiring/modules/sensors.

Many may wonder why??????

1). TFI ICM's are failure prone.
2). More moving wearing parts on TFI
3). A truck used off-road sees water. Water inside the distributor cap is an uh-oh.

EDIS is a simple(reliable), efficient, and strong system.

ONE thing i haven't nailed down is what to do with the distributor hole. I need something to drive the oil pump off the camshaft and cover/seal the hole. Would the cover off a 4L work????? Or may just have to use a Cam position sensor.....I don't know.

 

[Ranger44]

Salvage yard I go to has 1 98' 3.0. It's already missing the crank dampener.

I did learn some good news today. As mentioned before i noticed that my timing cover already had the holes positioned for the CPS. I went ahead and threaded a bolt into one of the holes. It didn't thread at first, but after cleaning all the dirt/grease out of the hole, it threaded and held. Obviously there are threads present. I may have to get a thread cleaner in there and get the rest of the crud out.

Right now I'm making/planning the wiring for the swap. Also trying to figure out a bracket for the coil pack too. Not sure if one from a 95+ Ranger will work ok or not.....?

Other than that, everything is moving smoothly.