HELP pontiac grand prix emisson removel and carb/dist swap?

[gearheadmike]

Hi i have a 87 grand prix with the 3.8 v6 im seeing if i can do away with the emissons the smog pump is all ready gone.
it has the electric carb id like to go with a older machanical carb and dist set up i dont a swap like this to my ranger it was a duraspark swap. i just need to find out what carb i need? and distributor? and any wireing i might have to do ?? the emissons are shot and just looking to clean up bay untill i can afford to swap my 327 in.Any info would help :?: Thanks

 

[Bonnewagon]

Re: HELP pontiac grand prix emisson removel and carb/dist sw

I backfitted my Bonneville 3.8 with a non computer carb and distributor but it was a b*tch finding them. The dist I found was a 79' and the carb was a commercially rebuilt unit from a Pontiac w/3.8 so the throttle linkage was a good fit. Be aware others will not be exactly correct. Both were junkyard items and took many days to locate.

 

[gearheadmike]

Re: HELP pontiac grand prix emisson removel and carb/dist sw

what car did u get the dist out of? any one list a couple of later models with the 3.8 engine? also heard the 4.3 dist/carb will interchange?

 

[Bonnewagon]

Re: HELP pontiac grand prix emisson removel and carb/dist sw

All it had was "1979" written on the tag, no model. And the carb I got from a shed full of carbs that's why I know not all are alike. The tag said "pontiac" that's all. The Buick 231 and Chevy 229 are both considered "3.8" so you must be wary. Which do you have? If Buick, any pre-computer 231 will be a good donor.The carb will be a Rochester Dualjet, but again, be carefull of the linkages and fittings, not all are the same. For example a Pontiac 301 uses a Dualjet, but the fitting for power brakes is on the EGR adapter, not the carb base. Compare with yours before buying.

 

[joe_padavano]

Re: HELP pontiac grand prix emisson removel and carb/dist sw

All it had was "1979" written on the tag, no model. And the carb I got from a shed full of carbs that's why I know not all are alike. The tag said "pontiac" that's all. The Buick 231 and Chevy 229 are both considered "3.8" so you must be wary. Which do you have? If Buick, any pre-computer 231 will be a good donor.The carb will be a Rochester Dualjet, but again, be carefull of the linkages and fittings, not all are the same. For example a Pontiac 301 uses a Dualjet, but the fitting for power brakes is on the EGR adapter, not the carb base. Compare with yours before buying.

The Chevy 229 and 4.3 V6s have nothing in common with the Buick 231. The distributors are at different ends of the motor and do not interchange. If you do get a pre-CCC HEI, be sure you get an even fire distributor and not an odd fire one.

 

[gearheadmike]

Re: HELP pontiac grand prix emisson removel and carb/dist sw

my engine is the 3.8 231 im going to look closer at everything this weekend when cooler but its finding the distributor im worried with

 

[Bonnewagon]

Re: HELP pontiac grand prix emisson removel and carb/dist sw

I believe the odd-fire was 75' maybe 76' only. Anything from 77',78',79',80' should be fine.

 

[G_Body_Enthusiast]

Re: HELP pontiac grand prix emisson removel and carb/dist sw

you CAN get a distributor and carb from a parts store, it costs more but you can look up a specific app to make sure you get the right parts. it's a trade off. that and you know it's good to go and if it's not it has a warranty to back it up.

i have thought about doing this but i'd rather just put the time effort and money into getting a V8 into the car. i like the engine but to really get something good out of it it would cost more than it's really worth. better off swapping out to a buick 350 since some parts do interchange and will bolt in without issues.

 

[Bonnewagon]

Re: HELP pontiac grand prix emisson removel and carb/dist sw

Did I mention that when I backfitted all that stuff the 3.8 was still a slug? The only reason I did it was because I needed a cheap-*ss go-to-work car . I've since put a 301 V-8 in and am very happy.