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Recommendations from mid-80s slant truck/van owners
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Author:  Reed [ Sun Dec 11, 2005 10:57 am ]
Post subject:  Recommendations from mid-80s slant truck/van owners
Well, it looks like I will be bringing home a 86 Dodge shorty van with a slant six. Here's the problem- it won't pass emissions and even with a 3.56 rear axle gear ratio is woefully underpowered, diesels and backfires when the engine is shut off, and runs rather rough. On the plus side it has working A/C and is very clean.

The van came from California so it has not only the dreaded Spark Control Computer, but the CA emissions package as well. Add to that the fact that the carb is a Holley 6145 and the throttle shaft bushings are shot and leaking gas onto the intake manifold.

Here's my question: Is it worth it to even try and fix the SCC and carb that is on there or should I just ditch them and swap over to a non-computerized carb and normal electronic ignition?[/code]
Author:  dakight [ Sun Dec 11, 2005 11:03 am ]
Post subject: 
The place to start is your local DMV or Air Quality agency, whatever you call it there. In Arizona you must pass a visual as well as a tailpipe test and technically the car is suppose to be equipped as manufactured. Some states grant an exception for "collector" vehicles but the regulations are all over the board on that.
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sun Dec 11, 2005 11:21 am ]
Post subject: 
Shouldn't be hard to pass WA emissions once everything's in order.
If this were my new truck, right off the bat I'd replace the Oxygen sensor and all tune-up parts. The catalytic converter would also be very high on my list of parts I would examine with extreme prejudice towards replacement. In stock form, these last few years of slant-6 trucks are very doggy (gutless) even when in proper repair. But, it sounds like yours is not running properly, so there's room for improvement.

The Holley 6145 is much worse than the garbageful Holley 1945 on which it is based. You can put a 2bbl carb on this truck and still keep the feedback emissions control system; the carb to get is a Carter BBD for an '81-'84 M-body (Diplomat, Gran Fury, RWD New Yorker Fifth Avenue), or from an '81-up AMC car wieth 258 Six. A new one or a careful, high-quality rebuild, not a parts store "remanufactured" piece of trash.

My latest info is that WA isn't like CA or (nominally) AZ where they check carburetor brand, model and type number against a master list of what they think the car came with from the factory. Rather, WA is like most states: All factory emission control devices and systems must be in place, intact, connected and functioning, and the "Check Engine" light, if so equipped, must not be illuminated while the engine is running, but they won't check, know or care if the carburetor's a Carter instead of a Holley, or a 2bbl instead of a 1bbl.

Post your emission test failure results for HC, CO and NOx.
Author:  Reed [ Sun Dec 11, 2005 2:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yeah, WA doesn't do a visual inspection. Sounds liek I weill try a good tune-up and see what happens. Thanks for the tips!

Future plans include rebuilding the 68 vintage 225 I have in my garage and use all the hop-up pieces I collected for my barracuda/roadrunner projects that went by the wayside.
Author:  Rust collector [ Sun Dec 11, 2005 2:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
My best guess would be those throttle shaft bushings :?
Author:  dakight [ Sun Dec 11, 2005 4:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
That's probably a good bet. Arizona just passed, and the governor signed, a bill exempting vehicles over 15 years old provided they carry "collector car" insurance and are not used for work or to get to and from work. Mine is exempt simply because it was built prior to emissions regulation. Even so, I believe it makes good sense to keep the car in good repair which will likewise reduce its level of emissions.
Author:  Reed [ Sun Dec 11, 2005 6:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
I also believe in keeping vehicles in good repair and low emissions, but when the emissions systems fails and make the vehicle run poorly, pollute more, and use more gas, then trhey have to go. My 84 E-150 has no emissions equipment excpet a catalytic converter and an A.I.R. pump. It passes emmissions great.

The cutoff in Washington is 25 years old.

I think if I can't get the van to pass emissions as-is I will swap to a GM HEI ignition, a Super Six using a Holley 2280, ditch the EGR mess, replace the A.I.R. ppump with a pulse air injection system from a Canadian slant, and maybe replace the catalytic converter with a high-flow model.

I have way too many parts stashed in the garage....
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sun Dec 11, 2005 6:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
You'd be better off with a Carter BBD than with a Holley 2280. You'd also be much better off with an AIR pump rather than a pulse-aspirator system, especially since you'll be trying to pass '86 emission standards with '60s-'70s engine equipment. HEI, good idea. Throttle bushings are probably not the main cause of your present running difficulties, which sound considerably more severe than one generally gets from loose throttle bushings.
Author:  Reed [ Sun Dec 11, 2005 8:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well, I lost the ebay auction for the Holley 2280, so I will probably jump right to using my Holley 2305. I need to throw a rebuild kit in it though, its been sitting awhile.

What is the difference between the AIR pump and the pulse aspirator system? Airflow?
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sun Dec 11, 2005 8:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
Tellin' ya, man, those Holleys are going to drive you to drink (or flunk emission tests...)

AIR pump system carries on working at all engine speeds; pulse aspirator works only at idle.
Author:  Reed [ Sun Dec 11, 2005 8:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
Gotcha on the air pump.

I am no great fan of Holley carbs, but this is the only staged two barrel carb besides the Holley 5200/weber 32/36 I could find for a slant. I do have an old Carter AFB 400 CFM four barrel but no four barrel intake manifold and I really don't want to run an adapter on a two barrel. I'll give the 2300 a shot and go from there.

But first comes just getting the van to pass emissions.
Author:  Super6 [ Mon Dec 12, 2005 10:18 am ]
Post subject: 
If the SCC is not working correctly, "punt" and start over with rgular electronic ignition of your choice. You'll spend more trying to get the SCC working than it is worth. (Parts for these things are outragously expensive IMO) Even if you did manage to get the SCC working again, I do not think you would be happy with the performance. IIRC you have been there and done that with re-curving standard EI dists, so I would definitely go that route with HEI.

I hope you do ntot need to drive many highway miles with those rear gears and no OD (for now) though. That slant is going to have to turn 3000 rpm to make 60 mph...depending on tire size of course. :?

-S/6
Author:  Reed [ Mon Dec 12, 2005 10:56 am ]
Post subject: 
Super^- that is my thinking. If a swap of the O2 sensor and a check of the other sensors and computer doesn't fix the problem, the SCC is going to go away and be replaced. My problem is that I don't have a bolt-on replacement for the feedback carb. I would have to swap to a two barrel and non-factory carb. So for the sake of simplicity and getting the van driving ASAP I am going to try and fix what is there before ripping it apart.

Dan- just curious, what carb would you recommend (besides the BBD)?
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Mon Dec 12, 2005 1:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Dan- just curious, what carb would you recommend (besides the BBD)?
Ummm...besides the BBD?

Another BBD!
Author:  Reed [ Mon Dec 12, 2005 1:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
You must really like those BBDs. I admit, it is a simple and reliable carb provided the throttle bushings aren't toast...
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