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Getting Dizzy?
460 EFI distributor (left) and 5.0L distributor (right).
Note the harness from the 460 distributor and lack of
a TFI module - it would have been remotely mounted. |
With the intake manifold completed the challenge of coming up
with an EFI distributor for the 351C is comparatively easy.
Because the Cleveland was only produced in the US from 1970
to 1974, pre Ford EFI days, there never was a drop-in EFI Cleveland
distributor. However, Cleveland enthusiasts know that the 385-series
motors (429 & 460 big blocks) use the exact same distributor
as the 335-series engines. In fact, a 351W distributor can also
be used so long as you swap over to a 351C gear. Since a large
number of vehicles came equipped with EFI 460 engines, the TFI
(Thick Film Ignition) distributor from these engines is well
suited for a Cleveland EFI swap.
Tornblom ordered up a 460 EFI distributor from a USA based
auto dismantler. However when he got it in his hands he realized
it was not quite plug and play if you are using the Mustang's
EFI harness. The TFI module on most 5.0L and 5.8L Mustang
distributors is mounted right on the side of the distributor
housing. However Ford had problems with the modules failing
due to heat, and thus mounted the module remotely on some
vehicles, particularly heavy-duty vehicles which are prone
to getting hot -such as trucks with the 460 EFI engine. Since
Thomas didn't want to fuss with sourcing or building a pigtail
harness to connect from the 460 distributor to a remote mount
TFI module, he simply modified the distributor to accept the
Mustang style distributor mounted module.
The 460 EFI distributor (left) utilizes are remote mount
TFI module, even though it has a TFI mounting pad cast
in the housing, similar to the 5.0L distributor next to
it. Even the screw holes are drilled but not tapped. Note
however the lack of a cutout in the distributor base for
the TFI pins to connect to the Hall sensor module. |
Using a drill and file Thomas cut a window in the 460
housing. This will enable the TFI module to mount right
on the distributor as in a Mustang application. |
TFI module mounted to the
modified 460 distributor. The internal Hall Effect sensor
(arrow) is from the 5.0L distributor, it allows the TFI
module to plug right in whereas the sensor from the 460
has wires for remote mounted TFI.
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The Easy Stuff
The remainder of the EFI conversion consists of plumbing
the high-pressure fuel system and installing all the EFI sensors.
Finally the processor is mounted and harness connected. All
of this is straight forward and without significant challange.
Thomas tells us that the Pantera is running stronger then ever
and he considers the EFI conversion a success. He has since
spent considerable time tuning the EEC-IV, and in fact he developed
his own EEC-IV
programmer - would you expect anything less from Mr. Törnblom?
He's using a BBK 5.0L Cold Air Induction kit. A longer
silicone duct is used to connect the throttle body to
the BBK chrome tube.
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The mass air meter and conical air filter reside in the
rear wheel well area of the Pantera. |
Thomas uses the Pantera's fuel drain as the supply for
the Bosch 128-lph fuel pump. The original pickup line
in the tank became the entry point for the return line. |
Bungs were welded into the collectors of each header and
O2 sensors installed. |
The A9P processor and relays are mounted behind the passenger
seat in the cockpit. |
A view of the completed conversion could fool anyone into
thinking the Pantera's came from the factory with a 351C
EFI. |
Conclusion
As you can see converting a 351C to EFI is achievable even with
the constraints of living on a continent where facilitating
such a swap is a bigger challenge than the swap itself. Sure
there are easier ways to do it, but where would the challenge
lie in that? Thomas Tornblom is an innovator in the true spirit
of Ford Muscle. Perhaps Austrian economist and social philosopher
Ludwig von Mises said it the best:
"What counts alone is the innovator, the dissenter,
the harbinger of things unheard of, the man who rejects the
traditional standards and aims at substituting new values and
ideas for old ones." 
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Thomas and his GT5 on a Pantera club
rally in France. You can bet his is the only EEC-IV Cleveland
in the bunch! |
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