Removing the ECM from an 83 wagon

Mike

Pro Stocker
May 27, 2003
1,709
0
36
New York
My 83 wagon has a SBC in it already. The previous owner put a 355 in it. The ECM is still in the car but the harness has been cut and hacked. Right now there is a plug with two wires on the rt side if the motor. One of the wires looks brown or tan and it goes to the ECM harness. It is connected to the harness with a crimp connection to 2 wires that look like theyre pink and pink with a black tracer. Theres also two wires that go to ground on the alternator bracket by the thermostat housing. What do these wires do ?
 

TURNA

MalibuRacing Junkie
Jul 6, 2003
6,028
1
38
Socialist NY
"there is a plug with two wires on the rt side if the motor"

What is the plug connected to?
 

Mike

Pro Stocker
Thread starter
May 27, 2003
1,709
0
36
New York
I wish I could see where they wind up. They go into the loom that's attached to the firewall in the back of the motor. Im planning to take this motor out in the very near future. Im looking at prices on GM crate motors right now.
My 81 doesn't have an ECM/ECU. Im sure it was removed by the guy that I bought it from. What do you have to change to remove it from an 83 ? The original motor and transmission are long gone. All the wires except for the ones I mentioned have been cut by the previous owner. What next ?
 

Mike

Pro Stocker
Thread starter
May 27, 2003
1,709
0
36
New York
Well, heres an update for anyone interested. Since the wires that were in question originated in the ECU I decided to try the easy test. I started the car, walked around to the rt side, and unplugged them. Car still ran. No obvious issues so theyre coming out. My 81 has every wire needed to run coming out on the left side. Im pulling out the ECM harness tomorrow. Hopefully the motor and transmission will be out in the next week or two.
 

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