Help with Carb
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Frankfort IL
Help with Carb
Hey all, I'm getting ready to install my new headers this weekend (hooker super comps) The car is a 1981, the AIR tubes have been cut and welded. I think the entire smog system has been removed, but I am not certain. When I install the new headers and exhaust I want to rebuild the carb. It's the original quadrajet. Because the SMOG system was removed or mostly removed am I going to have any issues with the carb? I'm new to this and I understand the 1981 had some sort of computer controlled carb. Can I just rebuild this with new jets and rods to meet the performance needs of the engine? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
The '81 carb (if original to the car) is a one-year-only hybrid carb with an electric solenoid operated fuel metering device in it. The 1st year ECM managed the carb, distributor, O2 sensor and worked pretty well when in good condition.
Do you still have the CCC system components on your car (disregarding what was done to the emissions stuff)?
Do you still have the CCC system components on your car (disregarding what was done to the emissions stuff)?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Frankfort IL
The '81 carb (if original to the car) is a one-year-only hybrid carb with an electric solenoid operated fuel metering device in it. The 1st year ECM managed the carb, distributor, O2 sensor and worked pretty well when in good condition.
Do you still have the CCC system components on your car (disregarding what was done to the emissions stuff)?
Do you still have the CCC system components on your car (disregarding what was done to the emissions stuff)?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
The computer is still in place behind the drivers seat. I'm not sure what all is supposed to be hooked up in the engine bay. I have found several plugs under the hood that aren't attached to anything. I'm assuming this was for the original smog equipment. The AIR tubes were cut and welded closed. How can I tell if the distributor is stock? I know the carb is. I decoded it and it is for the 81
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Frankfort IL
A computer controlled distributor should not have a vacuum advance and will have an extra harness of wires going to it for the advance command and RPM output. A non-computer controlled distributor would only have a 12V wire and tach output wire, it is otherwise self contained.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
A regular HEI dist will have 3 wire harnesses and they'll all be plugged into the same spot, a rectangular outcropping on the cap/coil. 2 1-wire(tach and 12v) plugs and 1 multi-wire plug. All 3 wirepacks connect to the distributor. There will also be a vac advance can.
A computer controlled dist will have the same wires as above, plus a second wire pack leading to the ECM.
The vac line you're talking about, if it's attached to the baseplate and rather small (3/16" I believe), is likely used for themac air (the flapper valves in the air cleaner snorkel).
