Downey Fuel Injection on a 1978 FJ40

[The Thin Man]

Greetings
I have a 1978 FJ40 upon which the PO installed a Downey fuel injection kit with a Megasquirt v3.0 computer and V.100 power/relay board, probably 10 or 15 years ago. Although the system seems to work "ok" (the car runs but does not pass AZ metropolitan area emissions), I am grumpy about the installation. The power/relay board, for example, is mounted to a piece of plywood that's bolted to the firewall in the engine bay, with no protection from water. The PO does not have an installation manual for either the Downey kit or the Megasquirt components.
There is a rather old (+10 years) post in the Forum about Downey fuel injection that includes a photograph of a manual titled "Downey installation instructions 1969-87 Landcruiser fuel injection #21911-FF." However, I cannot find such a manual online-- or even determine if Downey still exists.
Further, MegaSquirt seems to have set up a customer firewall that doesn't allow mere mortals (like me) to contact them directly. They require contact from the original supplier... which I have no idea of. I can find the manual for the computer online, but nothing about the power/relay board. It'd sure be nice to know how to properly install that.
So, a few questions:
1. Does anyone have a copy of the Downey manual noted above. If so, can I get a copy of it from you?
2. Does anyone have either a manual from MegaSquirt about the relay board installation, or some specific advice (with photos!) about how and where it should be mounted.
3. Is this whole Downey fuel injection system worth keeping/fixing? There seems to be a fair number of negative opinions expressed about Downey. Should I invest in something else, or revert back to the carburetor system (I have the original carb, but most of the other system components, like emissions control devices, are missing.)
Thanks for any advice you might have.
Chris
The Thin Man
1978 FJ40

 

[pb4ugo]

@Downey shows up on this forum periodically. Maybe he will respond.

 

[charliemeyer007]

Wow emission testing a 47 year old vehicle. I think even Masshole gives up at 25 years.

I'm not a fan of fuel injection or electronic ignition, when they work its great, when they don't you're walking.

The sniper II seems very popular. $1200 seems like a lot to me. On the other hand seems like its $600 for a carb, perhaps only a couple hundred to get your card serviced.

I think the economy is going to tank due to Emperor Chump rule by decree, so I suggest making it run as cheaply as you can unless you got money to burn.

 

[JohnnyC]

I posted that manual ( Fuel Injection #21911 69-87 TLC) here for Jim:
See post #66
Link:

Downey Off Road

forum.ih8mud.com

Downey went out of business but Jim is still around his name on mud is …. Downey

 

[SteveH]

Does the truck run well? If so, why not clean up the installation job by the PO and ruggedize it a bit?

If you revert to a carb, especially in AZ, you may find yourself walking a lot after all the vapor locking issues and heat soak problems that will ensue. I converted my '78 to EFI years ago (AFI kit) and haven't missed a day of carb issues. Modern gasoline just doesn't play well with carbs and hot temps.

 

[lcwizard]

Does the truck run well? If so, why not clean up the installation job by the PO and ruggedize it a bit?

If you revert to a carb, especially in AZ, you may find yourself walking a lot after all the vapor locking issues and heat soak problems that will ensue. I converted my '78 to EFI years ago (AFI kit) and haven't missed a day of carb issues. Modern gasoline just doesn't play well with carbs and hot temps.

I found the solution to that is a hi volume electric pump with an adjustable regulator, that has a return line, mounted as close to the carb as possible.
The return line keeps the fuel cool.

 

[Rocky_LC]

If you’re in AZ, get “historic” plates, and collectors insurance and you never have to do smog testing…

Plus you get a cool copper license plate, and can renew your plates for 5 years at a time!

 

[hobbes]

The return line keeps the fuel cool.

I think that’s a common refrain on here. Most that have vapor lock issues seem to have no fuel return among other issues. That was one of my issues when I lived in Yuma. (It’s hot there)

 

[White Stripe]

You can wire in a gm 7747 tbi computer and have it converted to to flashable circuits. Costs about 500 bucks. Then you have to get it tuned by a shop. Probably worth getting the sniper 2 instead.

 

[Downey]

First, about the Holley 350 carb conversions. The only negative on those conversions came from people who never set up the float bowl for off road use. Next, about the Downey TBI conversions. The only negative on those conversions came from people who did not install the system as GM designed it to be used- -plus to this date the Sniper systems still are not self programming as Holley claims, let alone no limp home capability (unless I’m just not up to speed). Now. If you can’t find the Downey TBI instruction manual here on mud buried down in the Downey Off Road link somewhere, then I can easily mail you a copy, lemme kniw

 

[archie73]

First, about the Holley 350 carb conversions. The only negative on those conversions came from people who never set up the float bowl for off road use. Next, about the Downey TBI conversions. The only negative on those conversions came from people who did not install the system as GM designed it to be used- -plus to this date the Sniper systems still are not self programming as Holley claims, let alone no limp home capability (unless I’m just not up to speed). Now. If you can’t find the Downey TBI instruction manual here on mud buried down in the Downey Off Road link somewhere, then I can easily mail you a copy, lemme kniw

This what customer service looks like.

 

[JohnnyC]

I had this in a link above… but here is the pdf as well from @Downey aka Jim

 

[The Thin Man]

I posted that manual ( Fuel Injection #21911 69-87 TLC) here for Jim:
See post #66
Link:

Downey Off Road

forum.ih8mud.com

Downey went out of business but Jim is still around his name on mud is …. Downey

Excellent. Thanks so much!