I have an 82 Conquista with a 305 that had a rounded exhaust cam lobe on the number 1. The exhaust gas feed tubes didn't survive being removed during the new cam install so we removed the emission system. Now the engine blubbers like the carb is way way out of tune. Has anyone been through this? I am looking for tuning tips after removing the emissions. MH in SD

Either put the emissions back on, or get a whole new engine management system (new carb and distributor at a minimum).


The AIR tubes can be removed with the engine still running off the ECM. Just learn what you are doing before you do it.

What emission controls did you remove. The tubes that you disconnected were they attached to an air injection pump? Did you remove the pump and controls?

I had the same problem when i switched over to a 350.on my 82.I replaced the carb an manifold and dumped all the emission stuff.It failed twice before,

Thanks to all for the responses. I'll admit I am a little rusty, when I was playing with cars the first time around they didn't have emissions. I am working through this with my son and we do want to do it right. This unit is original (except for the Crane cam) and clean, maybe wise to keep it stock, find tubes and bolt the pump back on.

I have an 82 El Camino Conquista as well and I'm getting ready to swap engines from a 305 to a 350, i heard of a few problems about it from couple of friends and now here, what does it take to get it runnin smooth?

No problems whatsoever. Bolts in like it was meant to be there because it was. What do you mean "running smoothly"? If the 350 you are swapping in was running smoothly where it's been it will run smoothly after the swap, if it isn't correct the problem now {ie low compression, worn out timing chain) or after the swap (ie tune up). How the 350 runs has nothing to do with what chassis it is in.

Will it be any difference if im putting the 350 engine from year 72 into an 82 ?, the motor was rebuilt and so was the tranny, also do i need to put smog system in it to get it runnin good?

Smog controls especially from the mid '70s and into the '80s were pretty much after thoughts, hang on devices to try to get the engines in compliance. They certainly complicated things and made it more difficult to get a good running engine. Where you live, are you forced to get smog checks? If you aren't leave off the smog controls otherwise the vehicle may have to have all of the controls that were installed when it was built. The 1972 350 ought to run fine in your 1982 as is, and if you have to reinstall emission devices you can still make it work.

This realates to a 1984 Elcamino with OEM rebuilt carb just recently pulled from the weeds. I am told you can replace the distributor with an HEI distributor from a pre ECM year, disconnect the wiring harness from the carb and it runs fine. If so, how do you get it to pass emissions?

The car passes NOx now, (but not CO and HCO) The smog pump is disabled but he EGR appears to work, and we added cat converters. I am considering leafning the wiring, replacing the stuck smog pump, O2 sensor, and EGR valve. Is it better (in terms of passing emissions) to get all the emissions stuff working and try to get it tuned to pass, or to remove the electronic stuff as mentioned above? What emissions parts are critical? I have identified the following possibilities: smog pump (AIR system), O2 sensor, EGR valve, cat converters. (We ahve replced plugs, wires, dist. cap). Does fuel octane matter?

This realates to a 1984 Elcamino with OEM rebuilt carb just recently pulled from the weeds. I am told you can replace the distributor with an HEI distributor from a pre ECM year, disconnect the wiring harness from the carb and it runs fine. If so, how do you get it to pass emissions?
It'll run but it probably will not pass emissions. Without the ECM to control the stock E4ME carburetors mixture control (MC) solenoid it'll be running very rich all the time.

Well the guy that I bought mine from had already disconnected the tubes in the manifold and God know what else... I just realized tonight what all that stuff was, and still have a few more things to pull off... .. I bought my Elky in North Carolina and drove home to Ohio without missing a beat....

hope it all works out.

You'll probably have to replace all the emissions stuff under the hood IF the vehicle is subjectedf to a visual test to assure all components are in place. I hope you have all the parts.

What kind of emissions did an 80 have? Mine is an 80, but I took out the tired 305 and put a 350 in out of a '69 vette. It didn't even HAVE an air pump or nuthin on it when I got it 5 years ago.
Here in Pa they are starting the emissions stuff, but for now it's only checking the gas cap. I need to do some research on getting it registered again, as to whether I want classic plates or pay the one time fee for exempt. I probably won't be driving it more than 5,000 miles a year, but even if I do I'll just disconect the speedo. Shhhhh don't tell. :cool:
I'd hate to have to put an air pump on, even if it will rob me of 1 horse. LOL This engine is rebuilt and can't WAIT to have it dyno'd.