For the past few weeks I've undertaken the task of replacing the head gaskets on my Camaro (1984 Z28 - 305 V8, Quadrajet, 4AT). This absoultely sucks, and I want to remove as much crap as a possibly can to make future repairs as easy as possible - and to make the engine bay nice and clean. Air conditioning and smog pump are pretty easy. I also would like to remove the EVAP system if that's possible, to really get rid of most of the vacuum lines.

Does a guide exist somewhere? And are there any kits for plugging vacuum lines, plugging the weird smog lines going into the exhaust manifolds, plugging all the crap on the valve covers? I'd rather not do any "home depot engineering" if possible.

Also, can anyone link me to replacement bolts for the intake manifold? I dropped one into the mess of wires in the transmission tunnel behind the engine and I fear I won't see it again.

I work as a technician in a shop with mostly newer vehicles. I understand carburetors and the "old stuff," though this in-between stuff is super confusing, so please educate me! Thanks!

 

The best thing you can do is leave it all alone and replace parts as needed when they wear out. Once you start hacking and chopping it is only a short amount of time later that you will lose interest in your cool old Camaro that just never seems to run right. Then it gets parked, maybe sits for a few years and develops more problems from sitting, is sold to some ******* who rips more stuff out, throws some aftermarket garbage on the engine and cheap seat covers in it, then sells it again to some poor bastard who will own it for another year or two before it finally goes to the scrap yard because it is hopelessly beyond saving.
This literally happens every day. The question you need to ask yourself is this: will you join everyone else in their insanity, or dare to be different?

 

If you are using the stock qjet carb none of the emissions stuff slows you down.
The fuel vapour canister and system serves a good purpose eliminating the stink of vapourized fuel on engine shut down.
Many most states and provinces have emissions tamper laws against removing this stuff.
Be sure of what you are headed for if you go down this road.
If you replaced to OEM 305 steel shim head gasket with any of the thicker composite style head gaskets the engine compression ratio will now be LOWER than stock.
The 350 sbc .015" shim head gasket felpro #1094
is fine as a 305 head gasket replacement.
If the 305 heads decks are not flat just get them minor milled to restore the nice flat deck.
The 305 block decks are fine as long as you clean them good before install.

 

I'd recommend picking up a factory service manual so you know exactly what you're removing and therefore what needs to be done. The evap system is also your gastank vent, so if you remove it, you should at least install a vented rollover valve.

Also congrats on earning your 'one step closer to the crusher' spiel from Aaron.

 

Headers, non-CC carb, Big-cap style HEI distributor, done.
However, if you're going to go through the trouble it might be better to leave it as-is for now and save up for a 350 swap. Then you can drop all that stuff in at once and end up with a little more power at the end of it.