1) When I swap out my 305 for a 350 crate, I was curious if I could run my stock ignition that I have for the 305, or do I need to get one. I know I need a new distributor, but what about the ignition. Perhaps I don't need to buy a new one. I have a 1991 RS, bone stock, TBI right now. Im gutting the whole cabin, and going carbed.

2) Also, when my fuel pump went out about 3 months ago, I had it replaced. Brand new one was installed inside the gas tank, and I have been told I can still use this fuel pump for a carbed application. Is there something I should know about my fuel pump before doing the swap, or will this be fine?

Any other suggestions about doing carbed swaps in general? It is going to be a daily driver, and I'll take it to the track sometimes (most likely when I put a new trans in).

Thanks, Eric

 

If you were sticking with TBI, I'd recommend upgrades to your ignition. But, basically you need to get a new distributor that doesn't rely on the computer for directions, and a coil that is better than what you've got. The typical approach is to get a vacuum/mechanical advance HEI-type distributor that has the coil mounted in the cap. One wire to provide ignition power is all that is needed to make it work. The wire that currently goes to your tach can be attached to the tach terminal of this type of distributor. Summit has their brand of this distributor new for a decent price, Proform makes one, as does Accel (haven't always heard good things about theirs) and MSD. These will all have the "good pieces" in them. If you go to a junkyard and get such a vacuum/mechanical advance HEI distributor, you should plan on getting new cap, rotor, coil, and control module - all told that will cost you right about what the new Summit piece costs.

Your TBI pump puts out just a little too much pressure for a carb. Get an adjustable 3-port regulator that you can adjust down to about 6 psi. One inlet port from the tank/pump, one outlet port to the carb, one "relief" or "bypass" outlet port to the return line (which your car already has).

 

Any brand or company? Got me on that one.

Thanks for the tips as well

 

Only 2 people make such a regulator in a decent price range, BG and Mallory. They're $ 70-80. Get the one that says "bypass style, for use with a return line"

 

Actually the TBI fuel pump only puts out 9-11 pounds of pressure and a $20-$30 regulator will work,Now if it was TPI he would need the more expensive one.

 

There are many AFPR's out there... check summit and jegs...as 57kid said, you're going to need to run about 6 psi for the carb.... whereas the tbi pump puts out about 10

 

Geez...no matter how many times I tell you people you never get it. You can't use just any regulator.

Yeah, TBI pumps only see about 15psi give or take, but they do so with the benefit of a return line even in the stock app. You can't just plug off the system and expect them to live. They WILL burn out, not right away, maybe even take a couple months, but they'll cook themselves soon enough, and then you have to drop the tank anyway.

 

3 port AFPR ... I have a mallory