1988 Chevy 350 Tbi swap to card

[Nad_Yvalhosert]

Ok so find 86 heads

Yup.
Don't forget a non-computer controlled distributor.

You want carb? You need carb intake.
You need carb intake. You need carb style heads.
Therefore, you want carb? You need 2 heads, intake, carb, valve covers, head gaskets, possibly push rods, rockers, distibutor, plugs, wires, cap, rotor.

Probably gonna need to drop your fuel tank, remove the fuel pump and customize the sending unit, then install a mechanical fuel pump on the engine block under cylinder #2.

And reroute the entire fuel lines (carbs dont need a return line) because the OE lines travel above the transmission past the distributor to the OE TBI unit. You'll need to reroute them to the new mechanical fuep pump by the RF tire.

Do you know if there's a lobe on the camshaft to operate the mechanical pump, and do you know where to get a mechanical fuel pump push rod? If not, you'll need a new camshaft, probably a timing chain while your there. Add in a crankshaft seal and an oil pan gasket 'cause it gets disturbed taking off the timing cover.

 

[Nad_Yvalhosert]

Hope you've got a few thousand bucks burning a hole in your pocket...

Or you could leave it alone and just drive it as GM designed it.

 

[matthewtibbetts]

I guess I’m just gonna figure out how to get my injector to fire. Probably buy new injectors.

 

[Nad_Yvalhosert]

I guess I’m just gonna figure out how to get my injector to fire. Probably buy new injectors.

Diag it first.

Diagnosis before loading up the parts cannon.

 

[matthewtibbetts]

I know it’s the injectors because it supplying gas two of the injectors, but the injectors are not firing

 

[Nad_Yvalhosert]

I know it’s the injectors because it supplying gas two of the injectors, but the injectors are not firing

Have you tested it for 'noid pulse? The ECM controls by pulsing ground...

 

[matthewtibbetts]

I don’t yet I will tomorrow

 

[DieselTech]

I don’t yet I will tomorrow

Go to a auto parts store & rent a noid light set or buy a set.

 

[matthewtibbetts]

I have a set to use. I bought them when I first got the truck.

 

[L31MaxExpress]

Yup.
Don't forget a non-computer controlled distributor.

You want carb? You need carb intake.
You need carb intake. You need carb style heads.
Therefore, you want carb? You need 2 heads, intake, carb, valve covers, head gaskets, possibly push rods, rockers, distibutor, plugs, wires, cap, rotor.

Probably gonna need to drop your fuel tank, remove the fuel pump and customize the sending unit, then install a mechanical fuel pump on the engine block under cylinder #2.

And reroute the entire fuel lines (carbs dont need a return line) because the OE lines travel above the transmission past the distributor to the OE TBI unit. You'll need to reroute them to the new mechanical fuep pump by the RF tire.

Do you know if there's a lobe on the camshaft to operate the mechanical pump, and do you know where to get a mechanical fuel pump push rod? If not, you'll need a new camshaft, probably a timing chain while your there. Add in a crankshaft seal and an oil pan gasket 'cause it gets disturbed taking off the timing cover.

I would diagnose and fix the TBI personally although a carb swqp is much simpler than you layout. Just need a GM/Marine manifold from a factory 87-97 carbureted engine and a bypass regulator. Can even use the TBI distributor if you snag a marine module that has an actual advance curve built into it. The marine modules will supply 18-24° of electronic advance depensing on the application and part number over the base timing setting. That being said I would swap to a HEI to gain vacuum advance but many engines ran the HEI EST called the Delco Voyager setup in marine and industrial applications without using an ECM. I have swapped TBI engines to other applications that were carbureted more than once without touching anything except the intake manifold. I really like the 87-97 marine manifold that is a dual pattern square/spreadbore high rise design and has a Bowtie cast into it. The casting number ends in 242 on it.