Hi All,
I am new to el caminos but always wanted one. I'm a carpenter not a mechanic. Got an 84 choo choo 305 th350. It runs rough and the trans is leaking from all the seals. The check eng light is on and the computer is not registering at all. Whats it controll, the car has 4 barrell? The last owner said he had it tuned-up a few months ago. It has new wires and plugs so i gess he did. anyway Whats the computer do?

I plan to put a 700r4 trans in this fall to improve mpg.

Thanks Bob :? :? :?

That's a CCC computer, it contols the distributor (timing advance/retard) and carb (fuel/air mixture) you can't eliminate it without going with some other type of ignition system (distributor) and probably a different carb...which is possible if you want to spend the money...I believe it also controls the torque converter lock up. Because you plan on a different trans in the future, I'd leave it alone for now and drive it as is. How do you know that the computer is not working? There could be all kinds of things that are causing the engine to run rough and the engine light to come on. I don't know how many miles are on your Elky or how much you wanna spend, but you may want to consider an engine transplant when you do the trans swap. If the rest of the car is in good shape, it's well worth the time, money and effort. Auto Zone and Advance Auto will probably run a computer scan for you for free.

Thanks for the reply.
It was hooked up to 2 different diagnosis machines and neither one could scan it. I plain on replacing the eng. and to restore it but it will have to wait till my kids college is paid off. Now i am looking to drive on weekends and need to improve mpg. do you know if the 700r4 trans will need a different computer than the one for the carb and distributor? The trans was from the junkyard and buick i think. It leaks from everywhere. the body has some dents but no rust.
This would be easy if i had a shop i could trust.

Thanks again bob

I pretty much don't know Jack when it come to automatic transmissions...
I think you can get a switch from Summit that once installed can engage or disengage the lock up on the torque converter. As far as the computer, look for one off Ebay, or maybe someone here has got one...they're pretty easy to replace. Found this in about 2 mins http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Accessories_Car-Truck-Parts-Accessories__1986-Monte-Carlo-SS-V-8-ECM-PCM-Computer_W0QQitemZ160248215164QQddnZPartsQ20Q26Q20 AccessoriesQQadnZCarQ20Q26Q20TruckQ20PartsQ20Q26Q2 0AccessoriesQQddiZ2811QQadiZ2865QQcmdZViewItem It should work for you but contact them to make sure if your interested.

Thanks alot
Bob :)

Hi All,
I am new to el caminos but always wanted one. I'm a carpenter not a mechanic. Got an 84 choo choo 305 th350. It runs rough and the trans is leaking from all the seals. The check eng light is on and the computer is not registering at all. Whats it controll, the car has 4 barrell? The last owner said he had it tuned-up a few months ago. It has new wires and plugs so i gess he did. anyway Whats the computer do?

I plan to put a 700r4 trans in this fall to improve mpg.

Thanks Bob :? :? :?I have a computer I got from an 87 El Camino with a 305ci & OD tranny

There are two fuses for the computer. If they are blown, A scanner will not read the codes and the engine will not start or run rough depending which one is blown. Check your computer fuses before doing anything else. They are located in the fuse block with all the other fuses.

Doug

Thanks Doug,
I check the fuses 1st then put a rebuilt computer in. Runs alot better, starts right up to. the check engine light comes on in about 5mins. but still runs good. when i can i,ll get it checked out. now i'm going to find an oil leak.
Thanks Bob