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How do you make a '77 more lean?

409 views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  johnh240  
#1 ·
I have a stock '77, which I restored in 1997. It put in new fuel injectors when I restored it, and it has been running very well.

I had it emission tested this week, and it just barely passed the hydrocarbons test. I believe that this means that it is running a bit too rich. I had noticed that the exhaust did smell more than normal before that.

How do you adjust a '77 to run more lean?
 
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#2 ·
First, make sure the FI system is in good shape. Clean all the FI connectors (injectors, coldstart, afm, tps, water temp sensor, thermotime, ect), expecially pay close attention to the water temp sensor. Not the bullet style connector on the thermostat housing, but the smaller of the sensor located on the housing with the FI style connector. The larger one with the FI connector is the thermotime.
Test the water temp sensor per the factory manual specs...
In the past months there is a ton of info about the do's and dont's on passing emissions... Use the search link on the left and type in keywords like; emissions, passing emissions, failed emissions, ect.
 
#3 ·
If you failed on hydrocarbons....

You are likely already running too lean! High hydrocarbons only is a prime sign of a misfire in the ignition. If the ignition system is PERFECT then it can misfire due to a lean mixture. Usually when it is rich you will fail for high CO as well as marginally high HC. Failure of HC with a low CO reading means it is already lean or ignition has problems. Look for vacuum leaks or leaks in the AFM to Throttle body boot. If everything is ok and you have low CO and high HC and it is only at idle, you might be able to close up the mixture screw in the AFM enough to enrich it to pass. Might not hurt to make sure fuel pressure is up to spec also. If it is a touch low it could cause the same problem, but not as likely.
 
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