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Timing Adjustment on an 85 Computer Controlled Distributor

My85

My85

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Hello all,

Ok, my googlefu sucks. I have an 85 K5 350 with the computer controlled Quadrajet 4bbl and computer controlled distributor (California emissions) Lucky me (where's the beating head on wall smiley?)

I am attempting to set the timing. After reading the 19 pages of previous posts here on the forum regarding timing adjustment my eyes have glazed over.

Bottom Line:

I understand that I need to disconnect the EST wire. However, I cannot find the wire. On the TBI engines apparently there is a tan with black trace solo wire located near the brake booster. After looking in that area I realized two things:

1. I don’t have a solo wire connection in that area so Chevy must have changed things when they went TBI.
2. What’s left of my plastic split wire sheathing is in horrible shape.

I do have a 3 wire connection (tan w/black flanked by two other wires) near the brake booster and a second 3 wire connection (tan w/black flanked by two other wires) located on the firewall above the passenger side valve cover.

Does anyone have a picture (preferably with an arrow or a circle) showing this nOOb where this connection is? :1zhelp:

Thank you
 
I believe the intent is to disconnect the EST computer, that retards the timing. That computer on my 85 was on the pass side. I disconnected it, put a jumper wire between the 2 terminals on the cap, and played old school timing with it.
 
Best thing you can do with an EST HEI is pull it, smash it flat with a BFH and install a regular HEI. Same for the matching Q-jet...but you're in Commie-fornia so I doubt that's an option for you.

I thought the CCC Q-jet was an '86 only abortion?

Rene
 
heres a thread I started a couple days ago. has pics of my wire, its in an 88 though:dunno:
 
76zimmer,

Thanks for the quick response. I will keep that option open.

tRustyK5,

I sure wish I could get rid of this computer controlled stuff.

84-85 each had different versions both are legal per regs. However, it depends on which carb model number is listed in the smog machine when you go to smog. I have had to swap carbs twice over the last several years to pass.
 
Don't quote me on this BUT if i'm not mistaken you have to disconnect the 3 or 4 wire connector at the distributor on those.
 
4X4 High,

Thank you for your response. That is what the smog plate says. However, when I disconnected what I thought were those wires and tried to adjust the timing she stayed at 10 degrees regardless of which way I turned the distributor. Therefore I presumed there was another connection.

Hmm, operator error or she is possessed? I will vote operator error :whistle:

I will be replacing my smog air cleaner with my other one this weekend. I will try again when she is apart.

Thanks again everybody for your assistance.
 
My85 said:
But then I might not have read through your build thread. :laugh: Nice job on your Sub.:waytogo:

Thanks Shady. Unfortunately, I don't have that connection on mine. I have a three wire connection in what appears to be the same area though. :dunno:
Click to expand...
Maybe they put the carb wires in the same plug as the timing one:dunno: Hope you get it figured out soon.
And thanks on the Burb compliments:thumb: I couldnt be happier with it, (exept maybe a F.I. 383:whistle:)
 
Shady,

F.i. 383 :saweet:

I will try that connector and the vertical 3 wire set as well this weekend.

Thanks


(Didn't see your ehow link before I replied)
 
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So we are looking at one of each of these :(

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p33/B450r/truck/K5 Build/1059.jpg
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p33/B450r/truck/K5 Build/1129.jpg

This is the best picture I have. My truck no longer has any of this. Sorry. The thing above the firewall has connections going back to the computer IIRC and has a vacuum line attached to it. It was over a year ago when I ripped all that stuff out. Can't remember. If you can describe the other connections (like the one near the booster) we can help out some more. I don't remember anything engine important near the booster.
1019.jpg

1024.jpg
 
This should be the wire connector you need to disconnect (circled in red). Just make sure that this connector comes out of the distributor body.

computer controlled distributor.jpg
 
K85 and 4X4 High

I didn’t have an opportunity to respond earlier (at work). Thank you for the pictures.

K85 I recognized the connection that 4X4 High circled on your photo (Thanks 4X4 High) that’s the one I described as the wire connection above the valve cover in my original post. What threw me off is the smog panel describes a 4 wire connection as does the eHow link provided by Shady.

Question: I also have the empty pale green connector inside the red circle. What is that supposed to be connected to? I have not found a loose wire with the same pale green connector though I think I have enough loose wires and empty connections to wire another K5. :eek1:

Thanks again everyone for your assistance.
 
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I never had anything connected to that. Even when tearing apart everything, I never found something that should be there. I also had a connecter on the right side, same color, that was empty. (no, they don't go together lol)
 
K85,

Thanks for the info and the peace of mind.

She's running, passes smog and I'm just going to pretend that none of those extra wires are there. :whistle:

Besides, if I can ever get a few bucks set aside I want to do a TBI engine swap. Few people will rebuild CC carbs anymore and C.A.R.B. really wants us off the road.
 
Hey My85, I just noticed that you're from NorCal, what part of NORCAL are in?
 
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