Originally Posted by supton
Originally Posted by caprice_2nv
My opinion is long life engines started when compression ratios dropped, rear axle ratios dropped, leaded fuel went away, better oil came out etc. EFI would have a small advantage as far as having a more optimized fuel mixture, but the biggest reason it would help is less people ignoring carb issues, flooding engines and diluting the oil and just driving alone like it's a normal thing.
However EFI can mess up and dump raw fuel in just the same. My friends EFI Seville was doing exactly that before we replaced the EFI with an intake and 4 barrel off an 83 Oldsmobile, no more issues. A failed fuel pressure regulator can flood an engine the same as a bad choke, or sunk float, sticking needle and seat etc.
IMO it comes down to when it's broken, you should fix it.
That's an interesting take--usually people take the position of, engines lasted longer when EFI with precise fuel metering, and more likely, no cold start washdown on the cylinders. Interesting counter argument about lower rpm and lower compression (although... 70's engines?). Now engine oil improvements, no doubt that has had something to do with it.
Now that I think about it, the wife did have an '86 Olds with a carb 305 (307?) with 240k on the clock, it was starting to use oil but it was still plugging along in 2001 (when it was traded in).
Well they don't wash down the cylinders unless something is really wrong. That occurs from flooding or running really rich. I agree that it's a problem that occurs less often with most EFI, but it's just not the way a carburetor is supposed to work.
Ive had several 307 olds, 305 Chevy's and my 350 Oldsmobile. I know of lots of people getting a ton of miles out of all 3 engines. I got 332k miles out of my last 305 Caprice, it was the first year of EFI, but I know of others that got 300-400k out of the carbureted lg4 305 also.
I do appreciate how the EFI works on my 05 Silverado, it adjusts for what I suspect is a slightly leaking intake manifold gasket (fuel trims slightly high), but when I go on a long trip I do worry slightly about the aftermarket fuel pump failing without warning. There's not much I worry about with the carbed cars. I keep an ignition module, cap and rotor in the tool box just in case (never had one fail but one day maybe).