CIS removed, problems found...

[lazyeyedog]

I recently pulled the CIS off my 79' SC due to a severe untraceable vacuum leak and I thought I would share some of my experience. First of all I've heard a lot of talk that made it sound impossibly difficult...not true! Also, I would recommend this for any car the age of mine, you will find things. It's also an excellent opportunity to get everything clean!

Partially drop the engine! It takes very little time and makes the job way easier. The time you waste trying to wrestle it out is waaay more than the 30 minutes it takes to lower the motor.

Cut the intake runner boots off! I got red silicone tubing at my local house of hose that's much more hardy than the original stuff for 15 bucks, and it looks cool!

If you're careful, and remember to disconnect everything (including the hidden airbox to engine mounting bolt in the back on the left side) it pretty much pulls right off. I did mine by myself, but two people would have been better.

I found a crack in the back of the airbox, half a gasket on the throttle body, bad gasket on the sensor plate and a lot of grease and grime. I will also be replacing all the vacuum lines and injector o-rings.

The car ran pretty bad, only pulling 7" of vac. Bad idle, off idle response, hunting idle.

Anyway, I'll get it reinstalled as soon as I procure a few more parts and if there's any interest I'll share that experience too.

Anyone in Spokane WA?