Slant6Ram- It is mounted on the firewall and has the ten terminal connector. I am going to try testing the emissions as is and when it doesn't pass (I'm just being realistic) I am going to yank all the computer stuff. Thanks for the offer though!

Super6- it could be the timing chain, the engine has 145,000 niles on it and has obviously never been rebuilt. If I go to anything more exotic than the HEI ignition I would go to a Mallory Hyfire setup. Same thing as MSD just cheaper.

Well, I must be a better mechanic than I thought. I passed the emissions test and the van is now registered. The motor still idles too high and is pretty rough when I first start it up, and it still is a gutless wonder when I try to accellerate, but at least it is legal.

I still put out too much CO + CO2, so I will have to look into that, but the emissiosn test station folks said I passed anyway. Yippee!

Last night I followed the factory shop manual instructions on setting the curb idle speed and it runs sooo much better now. Idles much smoother and quieter as well as has much better pickup.

I'll post some pictures in the Gallery forum when I get a chance.

I found a Holley 2280 feedback carb on E-bay that I am going to try and swap on. I have an aluminum SUper Six intake with the charge temperature sensor so I should be able to Super Six the van while keeping the Spark Control Computer. The computer actually seems to mbe working okay now. I think it was a combination of misgapped spark plugs, worn out O2 sensor, numerous vacuum leaks, and a misadjusted carburetor.

Next up on the list of things to be fixed is the installation of a free-flowing catalytic converter. After that I think I will drive the van as is until I can get a replacement motor built.

Muhahaha.....

Is that all that was wrong? They usually run fine for at least 20 years without any care or tune ups.
As long as everything is working, you should also get better gas mileage than any of the old style systems. (which is good when you've got a heavy van to push around) I can't seem to get better than 13 mpg in my truck. I almost wish someone had fixed the lean burn instead of removing it before I purchased the truck, but DAMN! the old style EI is easy to maintain.

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1980 Aspen 225 super six

Yep. I still need to fine tune it, but the computer seems to be working well so I am going to leave the ignition as is. I can't wait to try out the Holley 2280 feedback carb I found. I need to rebuild it and swap on the two barrel intake, but I am hoping it will plug right in to the same Spark Control Computer hookups. Those old EI systems are easy to maintain, but if I can get better gas mileage out of this one, it will stay put as long as it works.

Thanks to SlantSixDan for suggesting I try and fix the system as it is now. I think the O2 sensor did the trick!

I feel sorry for the guy I bought the van from. He was the second owner and had owned it for eight years. He really wanted to keep it but it didn't pass emissions last time around and he was told by Minit-Lube that the van needed a new "Emissions Control Module" to the tune of $300. Add to that the fact the van was getting about 12 MPG highway and he wanted to find a newer SUV that got better gas mileage. Yet another story of why you should never trust those Quickie-Lube type places to work on your car.

If you read this Al, just letting you know that the van is running great and is in good hands now.