Stovebolt.com Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Fuel Injected 216

$900.00+ for a single barrel throttle body injection system- - - - - -I can do a lot of carburetor tinkering for those kinds of dollars!
Jerry

That's true but if you're having constant carburetor troubles it might be worth it to some people not to have to deal with it ever again. Instant cold starts and no possibility of vapor lock sounds pretty good.

If I were doing a complete build with a rebuilt engine, installing something like that might make more sense. I don't think I'd want to pop one onto a well worn 70 year old engine.

Dollar wise the only way to justify the expense would be to use the truck as an actual daily driver. I don't think many of us could or would give up the comforts of something a "little " more modern. Otto you may the exception.

Haha! You're right Craig.

I don't know what I'm missing because I never had it! I'm excited that my truck has a passenger side rearview mirror! Even my Cadillac doesn't have that! I love driving this truck for work.

So I will take the other side of the coin. I like to tinker. But tinkering on a carb full of fuzz from the lousy gas we have to use, or junked up just from siting, the constant taking apart and search for quality rebuild kits, the deteriorated accelerator pumps, deteriorated fuel pump diaphrams, junked up needles and seats, clogged passages, rusted check balls because of the water drawn into the fuel by the alcohol, is not my idea of fun. Truth is, a basic injection system that would work on our inline six motors would be a nice thing. Especially for those of us geting a little longer in the tooth then we may like. Nice to just get in after winter storage and have it fire right up. Leaves more time for more enjoyable tinkering.

Dragsix summed it up for me.

I’m the guy with the Sniper on a 235 and I got tired of all the negatives he listed. My truck is put away for winter now but I do daily drive the truck in good weather. It’s performed well and I’m glad I did it. I like to tinker also.

Is it cost effective to do this modification? No it isn’t but I didn’t purchase a 65 year old truck to save money, it’s my hobby.

There’s a lot of smart folks on Stovebolt.com and my hope is someone will see what I’ve done and improve on it. We all benefit when that happens.

Hi Dan, that's pretty cool. You did exactly what I was wondering/contemplating about.

I only found out about the Autolite Sniper conversion when a Youtube video popped up on my feed with a girl that installed it on her '65 Falcon. I never thought anybody made bolt on EFI for inline sixes so never explored it further prior to that.

I was considering it for a '66 Mustang but the cost is off-putting. Then I thought if the Mustang can do it, why not the 216?

Are you still getting about 14mpg? Any hiccups or troubles with the system?

You used a plastic under bed fuel tank. Would the system work with the in-cab tank? I read differing views on the need for a return line as it applies to the 200 six. Do you think a return line is necessary? required?

What was the total cost of your system , excluding the tank?

Hey Otto,

I average a little over 14 MPG. I have about 1000 miles on the truck since the modification. I’m mulling over taller tires as an attempt to improve mileage a bit.

I don’t want to jinx myself but so far it’s worked flawlessly. I did have an annoying whine from the fuel pump but I tracked that down to the steel fuel pressure line from the tank to engine compartment. Better clamping of the line resolved that issue. I did have to play with the fuel enrichment adjustment for starting to get it to start better cold. The adjustment for fuel enrichment is done via the controller as are most adjustments and is very easy to do.

If you’re OK with keeping the tank in the cab and you don’t mind the noise an external pump makes, then yes the in cab tank can be used. My Task Force truck’s fuel tank had a drain plug (not sure if an AD tank is the same) that could be used for the return and yes you do need a return. The throttle body incorporates a regulator that regulates fuel pressure to 58 psi and Holley recommends a pump that supplies 60 psi.

Speedway has the Quick Start Manual and the Installation Manual posted on their website for the Sniper unit. Two great resources.

I paid a little less then $800 for the Sniper unit. I have about the same amount in a fuel tank, Holley in tank pump/sending unit, steel pressure and return lines, fittings, fuel tank straps, fuel pump block off plate and a fuel indicating unit to marry the mismatched tank sending unit and the fuel gauge. My brother in law fabricated the throttle body to manifold adapter at no charge for putting up with his sister. Utilizing your in cab tank will reduce the cost of installation a bit but keep in mind you’ll still need an external fuel pump and they’re expensive.

Considering that the original tires were about 30-31" in diameter, I think larger tires that would help with your fuel economy.

225/85 R16 are about the closest in size to the original tires. I have them on my Packard and they look right at home under big fat fenders.

The in-cab tank feeds via gravity from the bottom rather than through a sending unit. Would the fuel pump mount somewhere under the cab, I guess? A return line would have to be configured to empty into the filler neck, I suppose. Is the gas cap vented?

Are there no in-tank units available that would work in the factory tank? I guess it would have to be tall and skinny.

Noise? No problem. It'll have to compete with the valve clatter and wind noise. Add in the heater motor in the winter and nobody will know there's a fuel pump under the floorboards!

I don’t know of any pumps that could be retrofitted to your original tank.

My gas cap is not vented but the tank is vented with a Tanks Inc roll over valve.

I think most people mount their external pumps to the frame rail.

It looks like the 216 intake manifold studs are on 2 11/16 center to center. The Sniper Throttle base plate bosses are on 2 3/4 centers. You may not need an adapter???

As far as a return, could you drill a hole next to the sender and install a bulkhead fitting for a return?