When did the Ford 300 get fuel injection?
The Ford 300 inline-six, commonly known as the 4.9-liter engine, first used electronic fuel injection in the late 1980s; by the early 1990s EFI was standard on most models featuring the 4.9L.
This article provides context on the 4.9L (Ford’s 300 inline-six), explains the transition from carburetion to electronic fuel injection, and highlights variations by model year and market.
Background: the 4.9L Ford inline-six
The Ford 300, officially a 4.9-liter inline-six, powered a wide array of Ford trucks, vans, and some cars. It originated in an era when carburetors were common and emissions controls were beginning to shape engine designs. Over time, Ford migrated the 4.9L family to electronic fuel management to improve cold-start performance, fuel economy, and emissions compliance.
When the 300 gained fuel injection
EFI adoption on the 4.9L occurred during the late 1980s, with the transition progressing through the early 1990s. The move varied by model and market, but electronic fuel injection became the norm for most 4.9L applications in Ford’s lineup during that period.
- 1987 model year: Introduction of electronic fuel injection on many 4.9L applications in the Ford F-Series and related models; early units often used throttle-body injection (TBI).
- 1988–1990: EFI becomes increasingly common across the 4.9L lineup, replacing carbureted setups in most U.S. trucks and vans.
- Early 1990s: Most 4.9L engines in mainline Ford vehicles use EFI, with variations in injector style (TBI to port injection) as technology evolved.
Note that there were regional and model-specific variations, and some late-1980s or early-1990s fleets or export models may have had different configurations or holdover carburetors for a time.
Design and injector types
Early EFI on the 4.9L often took the form of throttle-body injection, which feeds fuel through a single injector at the throttle body. As emissions requirements intensified and engine-management strategies evolved, some applications saw transitions toward port fuel injection in later years, though the core 4.9L remained a robust and relatively simple design compared with modern engines.
Variants and notes on the transition
The switch from carburetion to electronic fuel injection reflects Ford’s broader shift in the late 1980s and early 1990s toward electronic engine management. The exact configuration—TBI versus port injection—and the timing of the change could vary by vehicle type (pickup, van, or chassis cab) and by market. What remained consistent was the goal: meet stricter emissions standards while preserving the reliability that the 4.9L engine was known for.
Summary
The Ford 300 (4.9L) began adopting electronic fuel injection in the late 1980s, with 1987 model-year introductions in many applications and widespread EFI adoption by the early 1990s. The transition varied by model and region, but EFI became standard on most 4.9L engines during that period, marking a significant shift in how the engine was managed and operated.
