Packard Forum Index » Modification Discussion

Anyone here experimented with throttle body fuel injection on their straight 8? I have a Holley Pro Injection setup that works on engines up to 300 c.i.
I've seen a couple guys add GM throttle bodies on 235 Chevy 6's. Another guy has a whole setup adapting them for use on IH engines.

John

why would anyone want to put TBI on and engine when they use a carburetor????? What do u expect to gain??? 2 miles per gallon better mpg????

Don't you have to run 12V and have a HEI ignition system and an electric fuel pump along with an oxygen sensor (meaning you cant use any lead substitute additives) to use this thing?

The Holley setup I have is a stand alone unit, and uses no oxygen sensor ect.....
I doubt with the Holley I have any or hardly any change would be noted in fuel mileage. Yes 12 volt would be required for the computer. Distributor, I don't know. but an interesting point. Has anyone adapted an HEI to a Packard?
John

I do think you would need electronic ignition and an electric fuel pump, even for an open loop system like the Holley. The Pertronix drop-in unit would likely function nicely with the system, and I think it would be a fun mod. The TBI systems are essentially computer controlled carbs, so as long as you matched to displacement and CFM, I think you'd be fine.

In the bench racing category, I would like to build a 1937 Packard 115 coupe with either a mildly turbo-charged six or a later eight fitted in with a hot cam and maybe forced induction. Obviously not stock, but it would be nearly all Packard. Fun to think about.

Yeah the Holley setup I have comes with an electric fuel pump and you have to add a return line back to the gas tank for it.... Also needs a tach signal.
John

Not much redeeming social value here. The young guns won't know what a straight eight is, nor like it's limitations, and the old guys won't appreciate messing with one. Might as well drop a SBC in it. Lot of expense to replace a one bbl carb????

Yeah no dreamers around anymore...... John

A little history. Once the lead was removed from gasoline and PCV's and EGR's were mandated, vehicles started racking up 200,000 miles on a common basis. If you go back to the petroleum engineering research of the 50's and 60's the papers concluded that reducing emissions will lead to longer motor life because the motor oil would remain cleaner.

One of the reason's mandated emissions controls on vehicles was not unconstitutional capture was because the consumer would benefit with lower operating costs due to cleaner combustion.

Thus, using a TBI on a carbureted engine should result in longer life providing a PCV and EGR are added as well.

Hi John

Since you have the components and if you have the know-how or access to it, I'd say give it a whirl. A TBI system certainly isn't going to harm the engine. Dependent upon how perfected it is, could make driving your 200 in urban traffic less worrisome.

Thirty years ago I had a '70 Lincoln sedan I enjoyed, have thought about acquiring another, fitting it with the TBI system they installed on 460 engines in '90's Ford trucks. Bet it would get up and run, maybe even get 12 mpg, never got more than 10 mpg, heavy foot or not.

Steve