I need my hand held for a second ordering parts

[K85 Octane]

hahaha, really, I'm quite lost at this point of my project

I have a CA edition 85 blazer, has awesome carb and computer (selling if anyone wants) and lots of electrical connections I'm mulling through. I'm replacing with a different carburetor, different distributor, different vacuum system, different exhaust manifolds (lose the o2), and redo electrical.

The problem is all the vacuum and emissions stuff. I am looking to convert the entire "CA Blazer" vacuum system to a pickup system of the same year. My cousin's pickup is a CA native 3/4 ton '85, it has no computer or sensors of any kind. I would like to mirror this kind of system. Factory like Problem with asking my cousin is, half the truck is in boxes currently.

I know the carbon canisters are different, carburetor vacuum lines, vacuum valves, sensors, etc etc. What would be the best way to change everything I have with stuff from an 85 pickup? I'm not worried about my heat riser, it doesn't work anyway and will be gutted, but the EFE valve on the manifold I might need. Can I use my old one even if it looks like it doesn't work? Same goes for my air injection, I'm saving the system, but probably need some new stuff for it too.

I dunno, can anyone help me please. Anyone from So Cal that will let me look over their truck and take notes? I'm currently working on a 400 sbc. I dumped the PO's Frankenstein 350, so everything is in boxes now. This is the reason I need a different carb, have everything work right, but still look stock under the hood.

thanks

PS> I have a shop manual I'm going through, but wondering if I should just order everything it says. Possible waste of $$

 

[kevin400ex]

you'll more than likely have problems passing a smog check after all this.

 

[K85 Octane]

hope not, they don't ask questions about my cousins truck, its factory emissions legal. They hassle him about no cat, but he normally schools them up on the GVW rule. Never came with one.

With me, I care enough about the environment to keep everything on. It doesn't free up enough power to outweigh more smog. The truck will run cleaner than its previous smog check. I just need everything to look correct and I doubt the simpletons around here will know. I passed it without having a dash its first time. No, there's no check engine light....

 

[rufusbooth]

I will guarantee you will not pass smog with that type of conversion. When the smog check is run the technician will input the VIN number and the system will come back as a computer controlled 4bbl with O2 sensor and any other emissions that truck used. It will then fail on visual inspection.

The reason your cousins truck does not have any of the computer controls is directly because of his gross vehicle weight. They did not need to control the emissions on that year with that GVW. your half ton blazer requires it and the smog technician will call you on it.

Now, all that being said, I personally would recommend updating the system to TBI. With some retuning of the system it will run the 400SBC with no problems and you could sneak the larger motor past the smog people if you do the conversion properly. Put all the smog stuff from an 87 or later truck on the truck and then get the smog referee to check your work. With a good cat and proper cam selection your 400 should pass the sniffer test.

Just my opinion, and you know what opinions are like. :-)

Cheers,

Rufus

On edit: I have gone through the engine conversion deal with success in Kalifornia. It can be done without too much difficulty you just need to pay attention to the details.

 

[K85 Octane]

yeah, I know about the VIN check, but when it was smogged I was asked if it had a check engine light. Did I just get lucky?

My concern with the O2 sensor is, seeing it would automatically mean there is a computer. Computers normally mean there is a check engine light. My truck didn't come with a dash, I have no light and wish to keep it that way. I have autometer gauges with a custom dash going in. Are they going to believe some LED is my new check engine light? Not to mention the diagnostic port is rusted and the wires don't look too good.

ok sorry, quick summary. Engine is junk, most wiring is junk, no dash or gauges, all vacuum lines are junk, original CCC carb is funky, and I really don't like computers. I'm hosed aren't I.

 

[tRustyK5]

Rufus gave you very good info, only you can decide to listen and save yourself a lot of time, money and aggravation.

I'm assuming you wanted an answer, not have someone here blow happy smoke up your ass by telling you it'll be just fine.

Rene

 

[K85 Octane]

lol
he did give me very good info without any mess at all, thank you
but as I have always been, I look for more than just a high or low road
I ask the elders cause they have been down many roads I don't know about. Just in a whole world of hurt right now with this truck and looking to hear as many options as I can. So I tend to ramble.
thanks

 

[rufusbooth]

In your case you got away with no check engine light because in those years CA did not require them. But, believe it or not a simple LED in the dash is sufficient for a check engine light. It does not need to have a label. It simply needs to complete a "bulb check" when you turn the key to run. The light must come on then turn back off in 3 seconds.

With regards to your diagnostic plug, for OBD1 CA does not require a hook up to the computer for a smog test, only for OBDII which is 1996 or newer.

Given the condition of your current setup you really need to make a decision regarding how far you want to go with your repairs.

If you fix your current setup by replacing your vacuum lines and wiring you could sneak a 400SBC in there with a conservative cam selection. You will probably need to change up the metering rods in the carb to take care of the top end RPM of the 400 but it should not be too bad. besides, the 85 era trucks usually had the larger CFM quads on them so you would have plenty of air flow to support the 400.

The option I mentioned previously would get you a much more modern fuel injection system that will literally run upside down so no worries in off camber off roading.

Either method you choose will involve fixing your wiring (either replacing with EFI ore replacing to stock). the newer EFI systems have almost no vacuum lines compared to the CCC system, But then again vacuum lines are cheep. Replace them one at a time and you cant go wrong. In either case you are still going to need to run a cat so that does not make things easier either. But, either way you go you can keep your autometer gauges and only need a simple LED someplace if you go EFI.

The key in CA to make the smog people happy is the appearance of not being messed with. So realy you have 2 choices. Put it back looking stock, or do a legal engine swap which looks stock. Either way, keep it looking stock on the outside. You can fudge things on the inside like a 400 under 350 clothing and other things within reason as long as the sniffer is happy which is not too hard to do.


I am firmly in the camp of "I will never own a carb on a vehicle again!". They run too nice, too smooth and don't need to be mucked with. That being the case I always recommend the engine swap. Like I said, it is not as hard as people make it out to be.

I stuffed an 85 EFI motor in a 77 Toyota. It passed the smog referee the first time and I got my sticker on the firewall. Never had any problems smoging it either. Simply pointed out the sticker when I came in and the smog techs said no problem. They punched in that it was an 85 and smoged it. simple as that.


Sorry to be the bearer of bad news with your initial plan but I fear it is doomed to fail. Either way you choose to go I am sure the brotherhood will be here to answer any questions you have. remember, pick-n-pull is your friend either way. you can grab an entire wiring harness for your truck for $35.

Let us know if you have any other questions.

Cheers,

Rufus

 

[K85 Octane]

thank you sir
that is so unbelievably helpful!

now to get over this damn cold and get to work

 

[rufusbooth]

No worries man. Also, keep in mind you can get the whole EFI setup from Pick-n-pull as well. I would bet you could get the whole 350, wiring, emissions stuff, computer, I mean everything for under $300. Modify the wiring to be standalone stuff it under the hood and go.


Cheers,

Rufus