A wiring conundrum

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fleming442

Captain Tenneal
Dec 26, 2013
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Let's get down to the nitty-gritty: are you keeping the computer (does it still have the CCC carb and distributor)?
If not, remove the entire harness from the bottom of the heater box.

The wires going to the driver's side connect to the sending units on the engine and AC. I would suggest getting a complete harness that has the connectors on the ends.
 

Cal902

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Jan 15, 2021
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8
Let's get down to the nitty-gritty: are you keeping the computer (does it still have the CCC carb and distributor)?
If not, remove the entire harness from the bottom of the heater box.

The wires going to the driver's side connect to the sending units on the engine and AC. I would suggest getting a complete harness that has the connectors on the ends.
It has no carb on it now but, I'll be putting a Rochester 4bbl on it as for the dist, I have no idea what type it is and I have no idea how to find out! I'm new at this!
 

Clone TIE Pilot

Comic Book Super Hero
Aug 14, 2011
3,854
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Galaxy far far away
With the wiring that hacked up, I would have passed on that car.

Most 80's G bodies used the Computer Comand Control system (CCC). It was a computer system that controlled the air fuel mixture on the primary side of the carburetor, the ignition timing advance, the transmission lockup, EGR valve, and smog pump diverter valves. Later versions came with knock ignition retard and EVAP purge control. The Olds version of CCC was unique in that it also controlled the A/C. Every GM division used its own version of CCC. Olds was also very late in getting knock retard. The CCC is also all or nothing type system, deleting any part will result in it defaulting to limp mode. In limp mode, the fuel mixture defaults to full rich and loss of timing advance.

A computer controlled carb will have two computer plugs, one for the throttle position sensor and the other for the fuel / air mixture control solenoid. A computer controlled distributor will lack a vacuum advance can and instead will have a 4 wire plug for the computer advance.

Sadly many previous owners were ignorant about how CCC works and ended up butchering their engine bays in a vain hope of magically improving HP. Instead they just turned their cars into basketcases and after becoming fed up sell them to unsuspecting buyers. Its a pattern we see all too often.

Besides hacked up wiring, two other common problems are vacuum leaks and too much fuel pressure from poor quality fuel pumps. There is now software to allow you to datalog the CCC system with a smartphone. However, its no replacement for a analog dwell meter and Brainmaster scanner. Its a good idea to upgrade the original 1 wire O2 sensor to a heated 3 wire O2 sensor.
 
Last edited:

Cal902

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Jan 15, 2021
34
11
8
With the wiring that hacked up, I would have passed on that car.

Most 80's G bodies used the Computer Comand Control system (CCC). It was a computer system that controlled the air fuel mixture on the primary side of the carburetor, the ignition timing advance, the transmission lockup, EGR valve, and smog pump diverter valves. Later versions came with knock ignition retard and EVAP purge control. The Olds version of CCC was unique in that it also controlled the A/C. Every GM division used its own version of CCC. Olds was also very late in getting knock retard. The CCC is also all or nothing type system, deleting any part will result in it defaulting to limp mode. In limp mode, the fuel mixture defaults to full rich and loss of timing advance.

A computer controlled carb will have two computer plugs, one for the throttle position sensor and the other for the fuel / air mixture control solenoid. A computer controlled distributor will lack a vacuum advance can and instead will have a 4 wire plug for the computer advance.

Sadly many previous owners were ignorant about how CCC works and ended up butchering their engine bays in a vain hope of magically improving HP. Instead they just turned their cars into basketcases and after becoming fed up sell them to unsuspecting buyers. Its a pattern we see all too often.

Besides hacked up wiring, two other common problems are vacuum leaks and too much fuel pressure from poor quality fuel pumps. There is now software to allow you to datalog the CCC system with a smartphone. However, its no replacement for a analog dwell meter and Brainmaster scanner. Its a good idea to upgrade the original 1 wire O2 sensor to a heated 3 wire O2 sensor.
The distributor on this engine has the vacuum advance and the carb doesn't have any electrical connectors on it other than the electric choke. There's no EGR or smog pump on it. Not sure on the fuel pump as it was new when I bought the car. Engine has headers and no other exhaust at all so, no O2 sensor! Saying all that, I should be able to disconnect the computer system wiring, shouldn't I?
 

mr evil

Moderator
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Aug 4, 2009
857
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Sooke, BC, Canada
Given the fact that you won't be running anything from computer, yes.
As Fleming pointed out, you may want to acquire correct connectors for the senders you will be using
 

Clone TIE Pilot

Comic Book Super Hero
Aug 14, 2011
3,854
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The distributor on this engine has the vacuum advance and the carb doesn't have any electrical connectors on it other than the electric choke. There's no EGR or smog pump on it. Not sure on the fuel pump as it was new when I bought the car. Engine has headers and no other exhaust at all so, no O2 sensor! Saying all that, I should be able to disconnect the computer system wiring, shouldn't I?

With nothing left for the computer to control, you can disconnect the computer wiring if the PO hasn't run anything through it. Shame they hacked it up like that. Through to run CCC on a SBC would have required swapping out the Cutlass computer harness and ECM for a Monte Carlo SS harness and ECM.

The trans still needs a method for controlling lockup so better check that out. Also better check the fuel pressure as all new replacement fuel pumps output too much pressure and force the needle valve open. Nobody makes correct spec 3 port fuel pumps anymore.
 
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