I have an '84 el camino with a computer controlled carb, and its giving me hell lately. The first one would stall the engine, so i had it replaced. now whenever i jam the gas i hear a pop, get very little go until about 30 miles an hour, and after 10 minutes or so of driving the check engine light comes on. Anyone know if this is a problem with the computer itself, wiring connected to the computer, or possibly the carb? any help on this would be greatly appreciated, although if i cant solve the prob i might just drive it this way till i save up for a 350 V-8, 350 turbo tranny, and a posi rear.

The SES light is probably coming on as soon as the ECM goes into closed loop. If you shut the car off for a few minutes and then start it again does the the SES light immediatly come on or does it take another 10 minutes? See what the SES light is telling you. Read this article (http://www.elcaminocentral.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=55&mode=&order=0&thold=0)and find out what the trouble codes are. They may tell you something important. Have you checked your ignition system?

The carb should be able to run the engine even without the MCC or TPS hooked up to the ECM. It'll run really rich but it'll still run.

The 350 and posi should still be in your future even if you solve this problem. :-)

I've also got the 305 with electronic carb in my '84. Just waiting for it to die cuz I'm too tight to replace an engine that's working well. But just as soon as it starts to give me trouble...

But I gotta check the paper just to be sure I know what's on the market. (it pays to plan ahead) Last week there were two late 350s, complete with fuel injection, complete wiring harness and computer.

after disconnecting and reconnecting the computer it takes about 10 minutes, but if its not disconencted again it comes right back on. and i know it can be operated without, i have been driving it like that alot, takes forever to get going in the morning though, and occassionally diesels on shutoff. it's not even the 305, btw, its the suck ass 229 V-6

....it's not even the 305, btw, its the suck ass 229 V-6

Even more reason to be looking for a 350 :-)

When you had the carb replaced did you install a rebuilt one or a used one?

:mrgreen:

i didnt have the entire carb replaced, just a new computer. and the comp is used, but i got it from a friend of my dads who says it was in working order and taken out of a crashed same year el camino.

I was under the impression from your initial post that you replaced the E2ME carburetor, not the computer. If you didn't replace the carburetor you should either rebuild it or replace it with a freshly rebuilt one. You'll probably see quite an improvement. The ECM (computer) usually isn't the problem in a CCC system.

:mrgreen:

hm... i think i might just get the rebuild kit from AutoZone this week, and although i dont have the mechanical experience to rebuild it myself, the guy who gave me the computer will prolly do it cheap or free.

...the guy who gave me the computer will prolly do it cheap or free.

Cheap is good. Free is better. :biggrin:

I'ts not hard to rebuild the E2ME carb. It just takes time and patience. You should read this book:
http://elcaminocentral.com/users/elcamino/doug_roe.jpg
It's called Rochester Carburetors by Doug Roe. Lots of good info in it.

:mrgreen:

Time and patience are 2 things i dont have, so i think id be best off hiring someone to rebuild it for me. :roll: