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Back to the TBI and the multiple conflicts...

I was hoping to install the temp sender in the extra hole in the head, but there was a conflict with the IAC. In fact, there was a clearance problem with the plug that was already in there.

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That got fixed with a SS countersunk hex head plug...

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This still left the temp sender needing a home.

I didn’t want to splice it into a radiator hose, or switch out the thermo housing, so I started looking around. It turns out the block drain threads are the right size for the temp sender. Easy win.

Now we just need to deal with the IAC plug.
 
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So if you were putting a AFI on another F motor, would you simply source a later intake manifold to alleviate these clearance issues?

Yep. Well, maybe.

On JTU’s truck, if it was spaced further out, we would have had clearance issues with the brake MC, so in this case, I think this was actually the best path.

The Downey intake adapter would have likely solved those clearance issues, but not sure how it would have interacted with the MC. But it certainly would not have allowed the stock air cleaner to be put back on.
 
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I took a closer look at the IAC plug and it looked like it could be shortened. I did some preliminary dissection to see if it would fit.

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The new plan was to buy a pack of male & female plugs and make a short pigtail. I could shorten the plug that stays in the IAC, but you could still unplug the IAC for servicing.

I chopped about 1/2” off the back of the plug, but still kept the clip attached. For further heat protection, I put a very small heat shrink around each wire before inserting into the plug. I was able to keep the rubber plugs in, so there should be no loss of weather proofing.

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I slid another heat shrink around the full bundle of wires, and bent them into position before shrinking, so it would hold this shape.

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Here’s the final product, compared to the original plug...

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In place, how it will be installed, with about the same clearance as a later manifold...

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One more bit of fitting - I had to trim the throttle bracket to clear the remote oil filter.

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After making a simple mount for the throttle cable, the TBI was ready to be permanently mounted.

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Next up, install the sweet battery cables from @Fourrunner. These are beefy and very nicely made. The perfect compliment to the stainless battery tray.

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Now it was pretty much down to the wiring and getting the air cleaner to fit.

With the rough draft of the prototype, it got us close, but not quite there:

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I trimmed a little off the adapter, and relocated one of the mounting bolts on the air cleaner. It sits up a little higher now to clear the TBI. The adapter is as short as it can be.

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We couldn’t find a gasket to fit the mouth of the air cleaner, so I made a temporary one out of FIPG.

$$$

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JTU found a new sticker for the lid to put on after he media blasts the whole thing and makes it look new.
 
JTU found a better check engine light than the one that came in the kit. This one looks like a mini blinker light.

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The transfer pump got wired to a lighted rocker switch...

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A last minute addition was this radiator support rod. His was missing and the radiator had a lot of movement. Nolen found one in his parts stash, and I washed off the patina and painted up some bolts...

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I’m not sure exactly how AFI intends for you to route the wire harness, but it usually ends up running all over the place. They also leave a few wires outside of the loom that still have to come out of the firewall (unless you track down a place inside to tie into the factory wiring).

I wanted the TBI to not be noticeable at first glance, and though you can’t make the wiring disappear, I spent a little time pulling several of the wires out and re-routing them to come out of different grommets and more closely follow the factory wires.

Inside the truck, the wiring is all completely hidden, except for a short section of the main bundle.

Finished product under the hood:

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Word on the street is that the original hubcaps are back on, so hopefully we’ll get a picture.

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Dogs approve...

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