This is page 4 of 4 documenting the
conversion of the El Camino to
Throttle Body Injection.

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4/5/05

This is the original cable bracket.

I cut the old one in pieces, and used the throttle cable end, and bolted it to an intermediate piece I fabricated with the Aluminum from Robert. It isn't pretty, but it was hours of measuring twice and cutting once.... OK 3 or 4 times. There is no pattern for this. I measured the original cables carefully.

The one nib is too short to line up with the Cruise rod. I had to drill that one out.

Parts total for today:
$27.07

 Parts list for the tools and parts today::

Fuel Relay CQ #EC RY109 $15.43
(Interchange w GM 14078915)

Crimp connectors, Ace HDW.

Called Robert and confirmed routing. Used the white wire, instead of the green/purple, to the 2 wire terminal of the distributor. Tried to start, sounded like battery is dead. Something's rotten. Fuel pump runs for a short time, sounds like relays fighting each other for power of the starter solenoid on cranking. Does not turn over. Won't start.

I'm to tired to fight. F it for tonight. Is it the wiring on the solenoid? See pic (click for closer) the instructions say "small wire on inside terminal" Thanks.... which one? symptoms are the same with purple wire unhooked.

 4/9/05

New MAP sensor
$50

Misc. Ground Cables, and terminals $22.00

More brass fittings for the vac lines $8.43

I got it running after getting 3 new battery cable ground wires. I have a dual post battery (new January), and grounded the battery to the new block off plate for the fuel pump, that screws in to the block. I have the rest of everything else.... Firewall, fuel pump, fender, starter solenoid, computer, and MSD, grounded to a 4 way block designed for monster stereos. That goes to the top post on the battery.

It fired right up after it was grounded properly. Everyone was right about that one, and I am grateful.

I had the check engine light right off the bat. The code was 33, for the MAP sensor. I replaced the junkyard version (Robert helped me figure out that the Caddy & this application probably don't interchange. I got a new Delco version from the FLPS($50), and it fired right up. I had to clear the codes, by removing the fuse for a short time, and upon firing it up again, I had 2 trouble codes. MAP and 42 Spark Control (ECM chips) I cleared it again, took a different source for the vacuum (I was using the lowest one on the TBI unit, but it must be metered).

After the reset, it fired up with no light, and has had no light since.

First test drive (to get gas in the empty tank). It was hesitating quite a bit, and if you really romped on it at a stop, it was bad. It backfired d s couple times too. I advanced the timing, and it woke right up. This engine has always liked being advanced.

Second test drive was awesome. The off idle response is better than it has ever been. Because most of my time is spent in stop & go, this will be great.

I have noticed a lot of Carbon coming from the exhaust. I believe that there is probably a lot of carbon build up, from a long time of running rich (in comparison), with the carb.

The biggest thing I need to do is to drive it, and work out those injectors, that have been idle for such a long time.

4/16/05

Plastic wire loom tubing $4.00

4/18/05

I brought the timing back down to about 6, nad made some re adjustments to the IAC. This helped idle, and hesitation at part throttle. I had advise from another friend to put it to 4 to see what it does. Not used to the computer handling these things.

 Running Total $908.57**

(Please don't go back and re add all this to see if it's right, I had to have missed something anyway)

 **NOTE**
Your cost could vary greatly. If you don't have the MSD system already, or spark plugs, or any number of a hundred other things I had 'just laying around', This could cost you more or less than it cost me.

Many thanks to Ray Buck, for taking the MSD Pro Billet Distributor off my hands, as well as Jim Dos, for buying the Accell Distributor, and Carter AFB that came off the car at the end. This really helped to contribute to the (non existent) pool of cash needed to finish the project. I can't say enough about what a help Robert Adams has been through this. These are all members of the El Camino Internet List.

Note to the Note...... This project will always need more money, and will never be completed. That's Car Crafting for ya! (donations accepted <Grin>)

Fuel Injection badge.... proudly worn

VICTORY!!
Passed Emissions Testing 4/11/2005

Summary:

 9/14/05 Installed Standard Performance brand 3 wire Oxygen sensor. This was $59. GM Part number 25176708, AC Delco #213-632

The sending lead is black, and there are 2 white wires. You put an ignition + to one white wire, and ground the other one, for the heating element.

9/17/05 DISASTER ..... Blown Head Gasket
Page 1, Page 2

The heads were NOT 350 heads, the machine shop had some replacement 350 heads for $300, all fresh. So that's what went on. The compression was terrible, because the chambers were bigger than the old heads, and the pistons were bowl shaped.

Back together again. Still fine tuning. 10/29/05
Used a scan tool to check operation of replacement O2 sensor, and other systems. I have some bad lifters, and there is a miss. See the details to the right: 

Also on 10/29/05 Replaced the Fuel sending unit with my original one, but modified by Robert Adams to work with FI.

After battling poor performance form an engine with very low compression, I bought a marine 350, 1990 vintage. The following is after installation of this engine

Aug. 1 2006    It's running again.

I have some clearance issues with the linkage, and air cleaner. Looking for a stock truck or F body TBI manifold to correct the issues. The fuel lines are really cramped next to the vacuum lines too.

Nice to have it back on the road though.

Fun in the Sun
Aug. 1st, 2006


Record heat index. On the way to the junk yard, I had a complete power failure. It tried to restart once, but then I had no power at all. The car shut off, and I had nothing but courtesy lights. Not even flashers. I put the hood up to get traffic to go around.

This was the first time I have ever had the El Camino towed. It just about got impounded, but the Lady Police officer had mercy, and let me wait for the free tow from my insurance company. They were only 10 minutes away. It was northbound on Route 25 (no shoulder), only 3 lanes there anyway, just short of the intersection of Route 64. 1.5 miles from home.

I called Robert when I got home, and he was on the phone with me when I found the wires. I had called him, and left a message, and dove in with the multi meter to start testing. We ruled out a lot, before pulling on the shielding of the wires in question. You see what I came up with.

Ended up to be the fuseable links, and attached wires. Of course these were in a tube, bolted to the bell housing, obstructed by headers and a starter. That was the biggest PITA. I bought a fuse block at the local NAPA that was still open, and put it in a temporary spot. It's running again. Still need time to refine it. (correct connectors)

This could be the stalling and cutting out gremlin I have had for a long time.

Click on the pictures for a bigger view.

Below is a picture of the improved connections. 8/4/2006 The connectors were the wrong size, and one vibrated loose. I soldered the connections and used heat shrink tubing.

I bought a TBI intake on ebay for $23, shipped.
I am piecing together the brackets to make all the linkages work better.

I have a computer coming from TX for $25
I have brand new chips from GM ($66)

I set up a page to post some data logged from the WinALDL program. I bought a cord that plugs in to my laptop from aldlcable.com. The software is available here. See this page for results.

As I learn more about the program,, and log more data, I'll post more on that page.