Hi guys, just wondering out loud here, there seem to be a steady supply these days of cheap Windsors in EF's, EL's etc and I was wondering about using one in an earlier Falcon ( XR - XB) but I'n scared by how complex the wiring, smartlock etc is... so, 2 part question
1) can you just easily bypass everything by using an early style distributor?

2) just how hard is it to separate out the wiring that runs just the engine ( ignition, fuel) and retrofit into an early?

any thoughts appreciated!

Get an Early EB loom & ECU.

No Smartlock and about 5 wires and it'll run.

battery 12V
ground
Ignition
Start Signal (for TFI & crank)
Fuel pump trigger

wow! cool! didn't know it would be that easy...

I've done about 50 cars since 1992. It's a piece-o-piss. If you use Mustang stuff it's even easier...no smartlock but then smartlock can either be turned off or utilised so, no matter. Mustang harnesses are easier to use because they don't have non engine related stuff in them either. Nothing to strip out. Of course these days you can buy new harnesses which is a good idea because most are baked to death by now. It costs a bit more but saves headaches and money in the long run.