Note: This is a procedure that has been successfully accomplished by this mechanic with a minmum of tools and know-how about the EEC-III system. It should work for all FOMOCO EEC-III TBI vehicles.



Introduction

The EEC-III used on Central Fuel Injected (CFI throttle body injection) Lincoln vehicles and other FOMOCO 302ci engines, from 1980 through 1983, is a system that nobody wants to fix. The EEC-III is durable with only 18 basic components and gives good performance and economy as long as it still works correctly. Most dealers and repair shops have discarded the EECIII test equipment and won't touch these vehicles with a ten-foot pole and for good reason. They are a nightmare to attempt to fix! The self-test method is difficult and sometimes gives no error codes. The repairman can spend hours, with a voltmeter and a vacuum pump, attempting to find the problem and mucho bucks replacing very expensive components (that are probably 'OK'). You are better off taking the easy way out by swapping over to a carburetor, if you are mechanically inclined or know someone who is.



Oh how easy it is!

The 351ci. engines in the 1980 - 83 models used a carburetor. There were two types of carbs used. A Holley two barrel and a Motorcraft variable venturi two barrel. Either of these carbs will work for this application. One real nice thing about this swap is that the carb will bolt right onto your present manifold with absolutely no modifications. These carbs are available at most salvage yards. We located several of both types via the Internet. We paid $60 including shipping for a Holley from a yard in Arizona. The carburetor we used has a TPS. We hooked it to the original wiring used by the TPS on the old TBI. (You may need to cut off one of the old connectors and splice it in so that the plugs will match.)

Parts you will need

• Two-barrel carburetor.
• A low-pressure external fuel pump. We used pt. # E8012S with a 5-6 lb. pressure, from AutoZone - $30 (We disconnected the wires to the old external fuel pump and tested the fuel pressure at the TBI before we did anything else. We had no pressure. If you do have pressure you may not need another fuel pump.)
• Flexible fuel line of matching size to your engine and new fuel pump.
• Fuel line clamps (You can count them yourself).
• Two original female type press-on fuel line fittings. These are available from your local FOMOCO dealer or NAPA stores.
• A rebuild kit for the junkyard carb.
• You may need a fuel pressure regulator.

Now to do it!

Note: you don't need to follow this by the numbers.

1. Remove the old TBI.
2. Cut off and discard the fittings on the two fuel lines leading to the TBI.
3. Bolt on the rebuilt carburetor.
4. The throttle linkage and tranny linkage should snap right onto the existing carb connections.
5. Install the fuel supply line on the larger of the two lines that went to the TBI.
6. Plug the other line. (This was the return line for the fuel injection system that is no longer needed)
7. Hook up the choke wire.
8. Install the vacuum line that went to the air horn on the TBI to the air horn fitting on the carburetor.
9. Install the vacuum line for the throttle damper motor (mounted at the throttle stop location).
10. Jack up the car and remove the old inline external high-pressure fuel pump.
11. Bolt the new low-pressure pump on one of the original mounts for the old pump guard/mount.
12. Hook the wiring to the existing fuel pump wires. Make sure you hook the positive wire on the pump to the existing hot wire for the old pump. If you don't, the pump will pump fuel into the tank instead of to the carb.
13. The original fuel lines at the inlet end of the fuel filter are the plastic press-on type. They will have to be replaced with the new press-on female fitting and flexible line that will go to the outlet end of the new fuel pump.
14. The fuel line from the tank to the inlet side of the new pump most likely will need to be replaced also, unless you can some how adapt the flexible fuel line to the old plastic line. We dropped the tank and installed a new flexible line.
15. Test the fuel pressure at the main fuel line leading to the carb. If it is higher than 6lbs., you will need install a fuel pressure regulator before the carburetor (available at most parts stores).
16. Hook the fuel line to the carburetor. Make sure all new fuel connections are tight by turning on the key and looking for leaks.
17. You will need to readjust the tranny throttle valve rod. You can get the instructions for this procedure from your repair manual.
18. Start the car and adjust the carb.
19. Install the air cleaner. Then drive and enjoy!

Happy motoring in your Lincoln!