Aces Killshot Fusion EFI Swap

[85_Ranger4x4]

Found it!

Yeah, my hybrid distributor isn't very possible. Even the adaptor collar is shorter (and screwed on vs clipped on) with the TFI dizzy

TFI


Duraspark


So we will just continue on with our plan of locking up the Duraspark distributor for now. It is pretty cut and dry what needs to happen and easier to work on in the field.

I got the fuel filter installed on the frame and made the hose that goes between it and the fuel pump. I noticed I was shorted one fitting I really really need for the return hose to connect it to the pump... so that is kind of shut me down. It was almost midnight so I didn't really mind getting shut down anyway.

I think I will just switch to the return hose now, then I can button it up by getting the tank back in it and I can just run the second pressure line to the fuel filter on the frame after I get the new fitting in and get the TB installed.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Removed the Duraspark coil and mounted the fuel pressure regulator where the coil used to live.



Return line from the FPR to the tank is built, blown out and installed.

Today I intend to get the tank back in it and get it turned around. I am really looking forward to getting under the hood, I think that is going to be a lot of fun.

In regards to that, the bolt for the rear fuel tank strap had it out with me the first time I dropped the tank. I think it was a bolt going into an extruded clip nut, I ended up having to cut it out and just went back with a bolt and a nut. Well now with the driveshaft in it is a major PITA to get a wrench on the bolt in the crossmember. So after fighting it for 4-5 times dropping the tank since I decided to make the bolt one with the wrench... and welded a handle on it.



I also got the interior back together, cue "this little light of mine..."

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Got the fuel tank in and the truck turned around.

Let the demolition begin...



I wonder how many carb mounting gaskets in 2026 are this muddy/dirty...





Removed the fuel pressure regulator apparatus, poked grease rags down the in the intake, swapped the short studs on and set the lifting plate on to discourage hardware and woodland creatures from going places I will regret. Also opened the drain and dropped the coolant out of it.



And my plug finally showed up for my new FPR

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Yanked the dizzy, replaced/reshuffled the temp sensors and started extracting the rest of the ignition system last night.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Blew the dizzy apart tonight.









Then I hit a wall, every video I have seen on the toob shows a screw in the end of the shaft that holds the top part to the distributor shaft. Mine had nothing. I went and dug out a spare dizzy from a '78 and it was the same. I got to digging around in the grease and there was a wire snap ring in there. I dug it out and got things reclocked to lock it up.

This series was my main inspiration:

You can see the two nubs they give you to grab to pull the clip out near the notch



I didn't get a pic of the guts actually locked up but it was pretty easy to do. Putting it together one way was tighter than the other so I set it to the looser setting and put one of the plastic weight bushings back on the pin with the most slop which 100% took any slop out of it. I tried doing both pins but the bushing on the tighter one broke.

I stuck it back together minus the vacuum pull off.



I want to paint the vacuum can yet, it is front and center on the engine and I have wanted to make it look better for quite awhile. It will not function, just hold the hall effect sensor from moving and make it look like it might still have a plain old 4bbl

It was a fun fiddly kind of a project to do, 10/10

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

@rusty ol ranger

 

[Shran]

Oh lawd you're gonna give the boy a stroke tagging him in stuff like that!

 

[bobbywalter]

so...there is a 455 i put a few fi techs on that is going back to carb this year.


i have reservations with these things lately. but the separate processor compared to the earlier units is a thing that is better.

time will tell. they need to go 5 years and 200k trouble free. that is a high bar.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

so...there is a 455 i put a few fi techs on that is going back to carb this year.


i have reservations with these things lately. but the separate processor compared to the earlier units is a thing that is better.

time will tell. they need to go 5 years and 200k trouble free. that is a high bar.

Reviews from all of them are pretty mixed.

People that wire their trucks with wire nuts running online to complain?

Real issues?

Somewhere in between?

No good way to know

I am just going to try to do my absoulute best on the install and really hope it works.

I am not that old but I don't think I will live to put 200k on this thing,

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Anyway, I got the timing set, its ready for the dizzy now. I used preview on my gopro up above to use my phone down below to see how the timing was.



Slightly less cluttered view as I sort thru and plan things out.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

@rusty ol ranger

View attachment 140720

All those noodles just to do what 4bolts and a needle/float do....

Now i got a headache

 

[Curious Hound]

All those noodles just to do what 4bolts and a needle/float do....

Now i got a headache

Noodles are good.
Noodles are awesome. Noodles do MORE than a needle/float and do it better. Noodles are the way.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Noodles are good.
Noodles are awesome. Noodles do MORE than a needle/float and do it better. Noodles are the way.

Ive mellowed in recent years.

That said after 3 months of fighting with my crown vic...i will take needles and floats (and distributors) anyday

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Ive mellowed in recent years.

That said after 3 months of fighting with my crown vic...i will take needles and floats (and distributors) anyday

It looks bad and I threw optional harnesses on there for added effect.

In truth when when you think it has the efi, ignition, fuel pump and efan controls it really isn't that big of a deal.

Left to right.

Oxygen sensor pigtail
Battery power and ground.
Fuel pump trigger wire
Coolant temp sensor pigtail
Key power
Multicolor wire cluster is efan, tack in/out etc (I won't use them all)
Coil harness
Distributor harness (two wires)
Can buss connector for tuning

Considering how much it simplifies just the ignition let along coolant fans and fuel its kind of a wash.

 

[bobbywalter]

its simpler than any 80s carb underhood disaster of wiring and vacuum egr thermactor controls.

with modern fuels.....you are fawked with a typical carb. i swear they made it just to murder carbs.