I am replacing the locked up 267 in my '79 EC with a '87 350 4V. The engine is complete and is undergoing a complete rebuild as I write this. It has the original intake and carb on it. I want to use the quadrajet, but I see it has a couple of electrical connections that tie it into the distributor and knock sensor. I intend to use my '79 Distributor, will the quadrajet carb still work ok (without the electrical hookups) or is this going to need to be replaced with an earlier year application or modified in some way to work? Thanks in advance.

That 87 quadrajet has a "Mixture Control Solenoid" that is driven by the ECM. It is the little blue electrical fixture on top of the carburetor near the right front corner. It has two wires running to it from the ECM. Without the ECM controlling it, the carb will function well if the carburetor is adjusted correctly, but it will be operating at a full rich condition at all times. Not good for several reasons, poor gas mileage included.

Is the 79 equipped with an ECM and Service Engine light? If so, you have some decisions to make. First consideration is whether your local government has emissions testing and whether or not your vehicle is exempt. If yes to the above, you will need take action that will cause your vehicle to pass the emissions test.

There's lots of postings on this forum on emissions issues. I suggest you use the search feature to bone up on this issue before proceeding.

I would find another carburetor. That one is designed to work with a computer-controlled system that, quite frankly, doesn't work all that well to begin with. I'm personally a fan of manual chokes because you have control over the fast idle and the air horn.

I also particularly like the Edelbrock Performer manifold. It's a nice high-rise dual-plane manifold which allows stock engines to breathe a little easier and, being aluminum, takes a little weight off the nose of the car. Another nice thing about it is you can run a Holley, Edelbrock or Quadrajet without changing manifolds.

The '79 does not have a ECM or service engine light (I think this started in '81). I would like to get an aftermarket intake, but don't have the funds for it at this time (being an '87, I can't use the more common intakes available, it is gonna cost me more). I will try to find a replacement from a similar year or a little earlier if possible. Let me know if this is not a good idea either.

Just about any aftermarket aluminum smallblock 4bbl manifold will work (not '87 up). There must be millions of them, any swap meet will probably have several for sale. Just be sure to get the correct carb intake flange, although many can be used with the spreadbore and square pattern.