I bought this car about 2 years ago as a project. Shortly after i started to work on it, i noticed the ECM was not connected to the batt. I hooked it back and it made no difference. I have now removed most of the emmision controls. The car runs good but i think it may need a vacuem advance dist. and a non ECM controlled Carb.
I bought a Dist. from Jegs but have not had a chance to put it on.

My question is am i wright in thinking that i need a vacuem advance dist. sense the ECM can not control the advance. If this helps i may buy the Q-jet replacment Holly Carb to go along with the new Dist. Thanks for any advice.

 

if the ECM isn't controlling the timing, then yes, you do need a dist with vacuum advance on it, it also needs to have centrifugal advance.

a good non-computer controlled carb would also be a good thing.

 

Thanks for reply.
Can anyone tell me for sure if the Dist. Adv. is controlled by the ECM, or is there a seperate module that controls it. Also what is the easyest way to change the Dist. If i place the timming mark on 0 deg. i can see if the rotor is pointing to #1 on the cap???
It my be 180 deg. out but if i put the new one in the same way that should work??? Thanks ...

 

Is the SES light coming on? Does it work (bulb not burned out)?

The ECM controls the carb mixture and ignition advance. It relies on inputs from various sensors including throttle position, manifold vacuum, barometric pressure, engine speed, etc. If it doesn't have everything it expects, it won't operate properly.

Replacing the distributor without replacing the carb is a no-no. They go together - non-computer carb requires a non-computer distributor, and conversely, computer carb requires a computer distributor.

 

The Check engine light has been on sense the day i got the car. I use a peice of tape to cover it. Alot of the sensors were already disconnected. then i found the comupter was unhooked at he battery. I did some reading in the haynes manual today, and it seems that the ECM controls the timing, and there is another control for retard during detination. So aguss i will try the vacuim advance Dist. and maybe the Carb Holly later. Thanks Neal

 

You need the non-computer carburetor and distributor NOW!

 

What five-seven said. If the ECM ain't running the show you need to ditch the computer controlled carb and distributor PRONTO! The carb defaults to full-rich and the distributor runs without ANY spark advance at all!

You think it runs good now, just wait till you have a good mechanical QJet and HEI distributor on it! You're missing half the fun!

 

Thanks guys for the replys. I am looking forward to the improved performance. The only thing is sometimes my 17 year old drives the car and he thinks it hot know.