1981 switching away from CCC
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 24
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
1981 switching away from CCC
Im planning on changing the carb on my 81, my coworker says that I shouldn’t need a new dis but I have read that it will run really terribly if I don’t.
So I was wondering how he’d is it to change the distributor?
I know it’s not as simple as just stabbing it in. How do I hook up the vacuum advance since the original doesn’t have one? Also will the connections just plug in ?
Also is there another besides carb and dis to switch to switch to mechanical? I have a four speed so I know I don’t need to do anything with a TCC
So I was wondering how he’d is it to change the distributor?
I know it’s not as simple as just stabbing it in. How do I hook up the vacuum advance since the original doesn’t have one? Also will the connections just plug in ?
Also is there another besides carb and dis to switch to switch to mechanical? I have a four speed so I know I don’t need to do anything with a TCC
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,177
Likes: 7,781
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
OK. Sounds like you haven't done any homework at all.
yes it really is as easy as stabbing it in. Set up the timing. Connect vac advance can to manifold vacuum.
Install a carburetor from a earlier model or a basic Holley.
getting ALL the vacuum lines hooked up again will be different from stock. But not impossible.
Me, I would lose the stock intake manifold and install a Holley. A fair few ways to do this.
perhaps do some reading.
yes it really is as easy as stabbing it in. Set up the timing. Connect vac advance can to manifold vacuum.
Install a carburetor from a earlier model or a basic Holley.
getting ALL the vacuum lines hooked up again will be different from stock. But not impossible.
Me, I would lose the stock intake manifold and install a Holley. A fair few ways to do this.
perhaps do some reading.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,095
Likes: 4,025
From: New Braunfels Texas
Just set everything up like a 1980.....
Do not buy a square bore carb to put on the manifold with an adapter.......very bad idea.
DO NOT buy a Q-Jet from a rebuilder......they are pretty terrible now.....
Find a good unmolested core from another Vette and have Lars go through it......
Lars has papers on how to install your distributor too......
Jebby
Do not buy a square bore carb to put on the manifold with an adapter.......very bad idea.
DO NOT buy a Q-Jet from a rebuilder......they are pretty terrible now.....
Find a good unmolested core from another Vette and have Lars go through it......
Lars has papers on how to install your distributor too......
Jebby
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 319
Likes: 125
From: Midwest
The stock Rochester Quadrajet is an outstanding carb if it is set up properly. It's hard to beat, as well chronicled on this forum, and elsewhere, by those who would know. The stock intake manifold is also excellent. It's not easy to improve on the factory fuel delivery systems installed on C3 cars. Also, consider that all '81 cars had aluminum intakes, as did an increasing number of late C3 cars, after '77.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 24
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
Just set everything up like a 1980.....
Do not buy a square bore carb to put on the manifold with an adapter.......very bad idea.
DO NOT buy a Q-Jet from a rebuilder......they are pretty terrible now.....
Find a good unmolested core from another Vette and have Lars go through it......
Lars has papers on how to install your distributor too......
Jebby
Do not buy a square bore carb to put on the manifold with an adapter.......very bad idea.
DO NOT buy a Q-Jet from a rebuilder......they are pretty terrible now.....
Find a good unmolested core from another Vette and have Lars go through it......
Lars has papers on how to install your distributor too......
Jebby
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,923
Likes: 4,495
From: Virginia
Your car is already wired for electric choke. It gives you a lot more intake options. I'd switch it over if you can. Otherwise, you need an intake with provisions for a heat stove connection. Cliff Ruggles sells an electric conversion kit, along with the "correct" Q-Jet rebuild kit that will resist ethanol.
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