[Z28Eater]

Hey everyone. I have an 2.3l EFI 89 LX Hatch Mustang. I'm planning on swapping the 2.3l with a 302 carburated . I'm planning on stripping everything of the 2.3l. I'm also planning on getting the 302 as a long block. I know the main necessities, but I was hoping for some advice on what I'll need to have and know. Thanks for any help.

[86_Notch]

i swapped from a 4 cyl to a windsor , it's not that hard, the hardest part ( and it's not really hard is doing the fuel system ) you'll need a bunch of little things like a throttle cable and bracket, and exhaust hangers ( i didn't have a donor car so i got mine from late model restoration 5.0 resto ) keep all your engines sensors and wiring so your guages will work

[Z28Eater]

Can you explain the sensors and wiring that you would keep. I was thinking i could take out all the wiring under the hood since i was going carb. but now that i think of it that makes sense. What wires would i need to keep and how would i reconnect to the 302 carb.?

[86_Notch]

Find the computer in the passenger side kick panel , you don't need the wiring harness connected to it . find where it comes into the engine compartment thru the firewall on the passengers side, cut it off and get rid of it, The body harness is seperate and you don't need to mess with it. to run a carb all you need is a hot wire to run your igniton. It's pretty basic, i don't know much about wiring at all and i managed to do my car pretty easily

[armalpass96]

i switched to carb on my 88 mustang and its not really too difficult...I had a EFI V8 but didn't use anything from my old car and just kept all the wiring under the hood incase i ever need to go back to efi. Just buy seperate oil pressure and water temp. I found it easier just to buy a MSD ignition.

[Z28Eater]

I know pretty much all i need is a hot wire, but what about gauges?

[trueblue01]

Most people use aftermarket gauges but the factory gauges will work as well, just need the proper sending unit for water and temp. Alt and fuel take care of themselves. Instead of "cutting" out the wiring for the EFI and engine management, just disconnect and unbolt it. It won't take much longer and someone with a 4 cyl may need it down the road. I used the throttle cable for an 85 5 speed GT when I changed mine over. Most of the wiring you actually need will still be in place once you strip out the EFI stuff. I unplugged and re-routed the headlight wiring into and behind the core support to clean up the engine compartment. I also moved the starter solenoid and asociated wiring to the other side of the inner apron which cleaned up the engine compartment even more.

[ryans88gt]

Two links that will be super helpful

EFI to Carburetor Conversion

and

V-8 Conversion

[Z28Eater]

Thanks for the links. The first one helps tremendously.

[ryans88gt]

No problem, by the way there is a cheaper way to do the fuel. Just get a mallory or aeromotive return style regulator and plumb the efi lines the regulator near the passenger side frame rail in the engine bay. Then you can keep the EFI pump or upgrade to a larger EFI pump . Also, if you decide to go with a non-EFI style pump, remove the intank pump and you can just replace the pump with a piece of fuel hose.

Also the stock throttle cable will work just fine. If it is too long, just put a wide loop in it.