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Like a lot of 1981s, I purchased mine without the original computer controlled carb and distributor. I was told the engine was recently rebuilt with very little info other than a mild cam. The air cleaner is super thin, maybe an inch, since it has the Edelbrock carb, spacer, and stock intake. What is the best direction to take to get a better fit and appearance on the top end. New intake, carb, and air cleaner? Just needed to be pointed in the right direction on making it a good driver.
It runs decent now that it has a working alternator, I think the timing is advanced since the vacuum advance isn’t hooked up. I’m eventually going to pull all the ccc wiring since I understand that harness is stand alone. The air pump is already gone and I haven’t decided how to either correct the charcoal canister or ditch it entirely.
The 1” high air cleaner is most likely starving your engine for air. Look for a drop base air cleaner and try to get at least a 2” high element on there. I’m not sure if a stock air cleaner base will fit an eddy carb (anyone?…)
test your air cleaner combos by placing a gob of play doh on top the air cleaner and very gently closing the hood. Open and measure what clearance you have or don’t have. To allow for engine movement, you’ll want a minimum of about 1/2” clearance.
Of course, if the carb is working good, leave the carb alone, but if not, you might want to get a Quadrajet from a a few years earlier, have Lars set it up, and run that. The Edelbrock carb gets really no love on here, so keep that in mind.
The first thing you need to do is either get a nice pre-1981 Q-Jet for that intake or a 2101 Edelbrock performer intake for that carb......
Those square bore to spreadbore adapters are one of the most terrible things ever created. If you unbolt that carb and look straight down on the primaries....you will see what I mean.
You car will never run as it should with that adapter...
Myself...in your position....would find a nice Q-Jet core to have redone. Do not buy or source aftermarket commercial rebuilds.
I have a 1979 L-82 Carb that would be perfect for your engine if you are interested. It is a very nice core with 43,000miles on it.
1981 Intake/Carb General Advice
