1980 Injection to carb swap

[raveer2000]

I have owned this car for a couple of years now and its time now to get it going. I bought it out of a barn for very cheap. The fuel injection system has most of the pieces but it has sat for 20+ years without fuel running through it. So I found a great carb gas tank and installed it. The car will start and run great while I spray fuel into the throttle body. Last owner said he could get it to idle only last time he had the injection running. Can I buy a carb setup and swap the injection out of the car. Will an older car manifold bolt to the injection engine? Please excuse if this has been covered but I did do a search and couldn't find an answer.

[RRoller123]

I am no expert, but I have seen others here who have gone from FI back to carb. So it is doable, yes.

[131]

Doable yes, but a retrograde step. I've got twin carbs on mine, but can't wait until I get the EFI setup organised to bolt on. Even mediocre injection is better than a good carb setup.

[bradartigue]

It's very simple, buy a carb, a fuel pump, and an intake manifold from a 1974 - 1978 1800cc Spider. Bolts right up.

But understand you're taking a 102 HP car (with FI) and downgrading it.

[raveer2000]

I understand that its a downgrade. But after sitting in a barn for all of those years with mice and everything else, I am not sure I can get the Injection working properly without sinking a ton of money into it. I'm afraid I will have to replace everything, when in reality I would rather just get it running and drive it. I do know that the lights and dash do light up and work so at least they rodents didn't get into that part. But I can see some of the engine wiring harness has been messed with. I also am not really sure what the previous owner was doing with the car. I found a 4 quart pitcher with a fuel pump and wires sitting in the bottom of it. Maybe that is why it wont do more than idle. It probably didn't have the proper fuel pressure. With that being said, can I use an aftermarket electric pump and the carb fuel tank that I have to run the injection?

[vandor]

Yes, you can use an aftermarket fuel pump. Try to get a quality item, the cheap ones don't last.

You can use the stock tank (if it's not rusty inside), just need an adapter to go from the 12mm FI fuel hose to the 8mm (5/16")
for the carbureted pump. The FI pump is under the car on the driver's side, you can mount the carbureted pump in its place.

[raveer2000]

Sorry for the miscommunication. What I meant was, if I try to save the injection system can I use the fuel tank for a carburetor for the injection system. The fuel injection tank was completely rusted out and I bought a carb fuel tank. I can buy a cheaper FI pump for about $75 and see if I can get the car to run on the injection. Is there enough flow from the 8mm carb tank to flow enough fuel to the injection? The tank is dry and hasnt had any fuel into it yet so I can weld a larger fitting on if needed

[vandor]

> if I try to save the injection system can I use the fuel tank for a carburetor for the injection system.

The carb tank does not have the large outlet needed for the 12mm inlet hose of the FI fuel pump. Some people have used the carbureted fuel outlet (built into the fuel sender) when converting to FI, but I wonder if it will cause pressure problems down the road.

[toplessexpat]

Why not sell on the carb tank (I'm sure someone here will pick it up), get an FI tank and fix the FI? The L Jetronic in these is really not that complicated at all.

[wizard124]

You said it starts and runs great. .......

There are many on-line sources regarding L-jet systems. It seems to me that a FI tank, pump, and filter and you will be well on your way.

[raveer2000]

I am going to buy a cheap aftermarket pump (I think pressure should be about 50PSI) and try to get it running on the injection. If so I will try to find a fuel injection tank and proper pump for it. Also I said it starts and runs great if I spray fuel into the throttle body

[toplessexpat]

Here's a good read:

http://www.artigue.com/fiatcontent/Arti ... 124_MM.pdf

.... and if you find it useful consider buying the full fat version from Amazon.

[vandor]

Or Auto Ricambi:

http://www.autoricambi.us/product/RS0-0 ... -the-road/

[toplessexpat]

I had no idea Csaba!

Yes - purchase from Autoricambi and stop lining the pockets of a mega-corporate....!

That book really is superbly written, marvelously edited , and worth every cent.

A

[RRoller123]

Absolutely, buy from AR every opportunity. (unpaid endorsement/fan).