New daily driver, need help with emissions crap.

[Coupe Devil]

Picked up an 81 4 door malibu on friday. It's a completely stock 3.8. I had to leave for 4th of july weekend immediately, and didn't have time to go through it. I have never owned a carbed v6. I'm using this as a daily driver to get back and forth the the 79 i'm building.

Is there a decent article somewhere, or someone that has some time to explain how to get rid of all of the emissions stuff? the air pump, all those damn hoses and lines? I wanted to give it a complete tune up before driving it anywhere far, but i can't even see the plugs and wires with all this crap attached to the engine. I'll get some pics if needed. Any help at all would be useful.

 

[t5montecarlo]

81 will have a computer, so I would leave it and live with it especially since you mentioned it will be a temporary ride. You can still access the plugs, they are just harder to get to.

 

[Anonymous]

Is it the chevy V-6 or the Buick?

If it's the Chevy I would take off all of the emissions crap, heat shields, Computer, etc.

That's what I did on mine!

Trickbu

 

[2doorBu]

Sounds like me, I just picked up an 83 cutlass with the 3.8 as I build my 81 malibu back. I want to remove all the emissions junk so that it is cleaner and easier to maintain.

 

[Coupe Devil]

I hear ya. I cant get to anything, and im afraid that if i start unplugging things ill forget where they go. I mean the amount of hoses on this thing are INSANE.

 

[t5montecarlo]

It is not all that difficult. I suggest you get a shop manual. If not, take lots of pictures.

If you start removing stuff, you will also need to get another carburetor and distributor (pre 1981; no computer).

Your mileage will also decrease.

I changed the 305 in my 1983 wagon to a 350 and retained all of the emissions crap. I survived and so have many others...so will you.