mounting ignition ECU to engine?

[madmike]

I'm converting my '68 Charger from points ignition, to ECU.  It is an AC car, and there really isn't anywhere on the fire wall to cleanly mount the ECU to.  I thought about putting it on the inside of the passenger side fender, about across from the fan, which would help keep it cool, I guess.

I also saw that someone made a bracket that attached to the intale manifold or valley bolts, and mounted their ECU behind the carburetor.  In the photo I saw, it looked like a pretty slick set up.  I was wondering if there were any heat or vibration issues with mounting it there?

The ECU came with about a 3' long wiring harness, and I don't want to trim or cut any wires on it, until I figure out exactly where I want to mount it, permanently.  Right now, I'm trying to get things mocked up in my engine bay, so I can get to a point where I can run the engine for it's break-in time.

So, is mounting the ECU to the engine a bad idea, or not?
Mike

[Ghoste]

Personally I think the further you can keep it from sources of heat, the better.

[lisiecki1]

fwiw, when i was still driving the 73 back in the day there was an issue with the potting in the ecu housing getting hot enough to melt slightly and leaving a pretty nasty streak down the firewall that was a pain to remove when I redid the engine compartment.  Don't know how many others may have had this issue.

[Troy]

I had one of the engine mount brackets on my 68. It's handy when you don't want to drill holes in the firewall or extend a bunch of wires to hide the unit elsewhere. I didn't have any problems with heat and the unit was fairly well hidden. The one I had was from Rocket Restorations. They sell them on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MOPAR-Big-Block-ECU-Bracket-PROBLEM-SOLVER-Dodge-440-70-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4cf5c91a14QQitemZ330541111828QQptZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Troy

[NorwayCharger]

I had one of the engine mount brackets on my 68. It's handy when you don't want to drill holes in the firewall or extend a bunch of wires to hide the unit elsewhere. I didn't have any problems with heat and the unit was fairly well hidden. The one I had was from Rocket Restorations. They sell them on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MOPAR-Big-Block-ECU-Bracket-PROBLEM-SOLVER-Dodge-440-70-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4cf5c91a14QQitemZ330541111828QQptZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Troy

That was a good problem solver 

[mhinders]

Personally I think the further you can keep it from sources of heat, the better.

I agree, and electronic boxes should be kept away from vibrations as much as possible.

[tan top]

Personally I think the further you can keep it from sources of heat, the better.

I agree, and electronic boxes should be kept away from vibrations as much as possible.

i mounted mine here

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I had one of the engine mount brackets on my 68. It's handy when you don't want to drill holes in the firewall or extend a bunch of wires to hide the unit elsewhere. I didn't have any problems with heat and the unit was fairly well hidden. The one I had was from Rocket Restorations. They sell them on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MOPAR-Big-Block-ECU-Bracket-PROBLEM-SOLVER-Dodge-440-70-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4cf5c91a14QQitemZ330541111828QQptZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Troy

I've had mine mounted there for 4+ years so far with no issues

[BananaDan]

I've had mine mounted there for 4+ years so far with no issues

Chris,
Not to take a tangent on this thread, but it looks like the hose from your oil breather cap on the passenger side valve cover is plugged into the front of your carb?  Mine plugs into my air cleaner.  Were 70's that different than 69's?  Or am I seeing an optical illusion?

Dan

[bull]

Brian has his newest version hidden inside the driver's side fender which looked good to me and made me think that's where I would put mine. But then I heard about this new Rev-n-nator dealie-whopper and now I'm thinking I'd like to go that route. http://www.thertgarage.com/products.html

Brian's setup:

[charger Downunder]

I have one of the engine brackets on my 440 put it on six months ago and no problems.

[madmike]

Just 6T9 Charger and charger down under - that's what I was looking for, that guys have run the ECU mounted to the engine, and not experienced problems.  Thanks for all the input from the other guys as well.  Yes, I would like to keep my electronics away from heat and vibration as well, but on an AC car, there isn't any room on the fire wall, and I didn't want to drill even more holes inside my passenger fender well (some previous owner already butchered that, which I plan on fixing, some day).  Thanks again!

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I've had mine mounted there for 4+ years so far with no issues

Chris,
Not to take a tangent on this thread, but it looks like the hose from your oil breather cap on the passenger side valve cover is plugged into the front of your carb?  Mine plugs into my air cleaner.  Were 70's that different than 69's?  Or am I seeing an optical illusion?

Dan

69 is very different than '70

The hose you are seeing is actually the PCV valve hose which goes to the front of the Carter carb.....the oil breather/fill cap is on the drivers side & the hose connects to the air cleaner....

[gtx6970]

Using the harness as delivered by M+H in regards to length issues. I decided to hide it as well as I could.
this is a 1970 Cuda Non A/C car

[BananaDan]

69 is very different than '70

The hose you are seeing is actually the PCV valve hose which goes to the front of the Carter carb.....the oil breather/fill cap is on the drivers side & the hose connects to the air cleaner....

Ahh, I see.  They flip-flopped them.  Ok, makes sense. Everything goes to the same place, they just swapped DS and PS valve covers.  That's why 70's rule!   

Dan

[terrible one]

Using the harness as delivered by M+H in regards to length issues. I decided to hide it as well as I could.
this is a 1970 Cuda Non A/C car

Great idea Bill

[bull]

Using the harness as delivered by M+H in regards to length issues. I decided to hide it as well as I could.
this is a 1970 Cuda Non A/C car

Great idea Bill

Yes, I like that spot too. I know there aren't any issues having them mounted inside the engine compartment but for some reason I think I'd rather have mine inside the car.

[BananaDan]

Other ideas I've seen with MSD boxes, which I imagine could work for the MP ECU, are mounting them under the dash on top of the heater box and under the battery tray.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

under the battery tray.

Wont work on a 68-69.....very tight squeeze under there...might get a Mopar ECU under there but an MSD wont fit

[gtx6970]

under the battery tray.

Wont work on a 68-69.....very tight squeeze under there...might get a Mopar ECU under there but an MSD wont fit

Will on a 70 , I know for sure.

[Ghoste]

That's where it is on my 67.