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Let me preface this post by stating I have a C4, C5 and C7. I do a lot of my own work on the C4 and C5 (C7 is still under warranty).
I have always wanted a C3, and have been looking around for something I could afford, that will require some work. Currently, I am completely unfamiliar with the C3, but I'm a quick study. I have found a non-running 1981, automatic, that I'm interested it. It was supposedly running when parked, about a year or so ago. The car, over the last 38 years, has has several changes made to it. Some obvious, some NOT so obvious. The carburetor has been changed, and the entire smog system was removed when headers were added. There is an entire wiring harness running above the passenger side valve cover, with FIVE connectors on it, NONE connected to anything! Can anyone tell me what these go/went to?
WOW! Where to begin.... Well, the '81 C3 had the first version of an ECU and an electronic engine management system. The ECU was connected to the Q-jet carb, which had an electric fuel/air mixture device built into it and a throttle position sensor (TPS); the distributor, a one-year-only piece; various engine sensors; an oxygen sensor (O2) in the exhaust downpipe; and to the transmission for controlling the lockup clutch in the torque converter.
Obviously, none of that stuff (except for the harness) exists on your car. Hopefully, the carb and distributor have been changed out to prior non-electronic controlled components. If not, you will not get the engine to operate very well. There's lots more to tell about this, but that's enough to get you a "head's up" on your car.
Hard to tell from the one pic, but it looks like the carb and distributor may have been changed from stock. The air cleaner certainly has. If you are in a state where smog testing is a requirement, I’d walk away from this one before going any further.
Hard to tell from the one pic, but it looks like the carb and distributor may have been changed from stock. The air cleaner certainly has. If you are in a state where smog testing is a requirement, I’d walk away from this one before going any further.
I can tell for sure the carb has been replaced. They ran wires to the electric choke on the new carb. The distributor, I'm not sure about. I'm in Texas, and they don't do a smog test on vehicles that old, but the more I'm learning, the closer I'm getting to walking away, anyway.
Thanks for your input!
That early electronic control system with the associated "electronic" carburetor was problematic. It's common for the carb and distributor to be replaced to turn it into a "basic" 350.
That early electronic control system with the associated "electronic" carburetor was problematic. It's common for the carb and distributor to be replaced to turn it into a "basic" 350.
Mike,
Is there an easy way to tell if the distributor has been replaced?
Thanks!
If present it is the original type distributor used with the CCC control system; if not present it has been replaced. The "basic" distributor has only those three wires leading from near the top for the coil and tach lead.
Unknown (to me ) Harness
