CIS Reality check - '75 Targa Install

[Jfporco]

I have owned this '75 Targa for about 4 months now.
The previous owner installed Zenith 40 TINs - Carbs have been a nightmare (popping, backfire, no power), so since I am a "back to original" kind of guy, I picked up a '77 CIS system (I realize there are a few differences, but this was a great deal).
The '77 CIS is complete and was running when removed (PO said about a year ago) - I have no reason not to believe him, since all oil/gas smelled 'fresh' and it looked like it was just unbolted from a car.

I Now have two choices....

1) Take it to my mechanic who is familiar with vintage P-cars and has done great work on my Targa. He has all the tools, testing equipment, lifts, etc...

2) Throw caution to the wind, strip off the Zenith's and bolt on the CIS myself and go from there, buy the tools and debug the system as needed.

Two added issues are important here -
A) This is my daily driver and I need it 3 or 4 times a week so I would have to rely on my wife's car until the Targa is running again (AKA this is a limited option).

B) My Mechanic is VERY reasonable...he loves working on P-cars and my bills have been very good in terms of P-cars prices. Chances are the few hundred bucks I spend on tools, would likely be the cost to have him install it (and I can buy the tools at my leisure later).

Thoughts of the collective brain trust would be greatly appreciated....WWPD (What Would Pelicans Do?)?

Thanks for all the great information!

[javadog]

Given your situation, if the mechanic knows his way around a 911 CIS system, I'd have him do it.

JR

[Charles Freeborn]

I can't answer to your specifics, as there are a number of variables (wiring still in place, etc), but the larger issue is what other work was done when the carbs went on. Were the cams changed too, distributor advance modified, etc? If the PO simply removed the CIS and bolted on carbs, that would explain the poor performance, and your swap should be very straightforward. If deeper modifications were made at that time, it's going to get a little more soupy.
'75-'77 were not great years for emission controls on these cars, so there may be some compatibility issues to sort out too. I don't know what your smog laws are in FL, so that's a concern too. Presumably since you're going back to a more stock set up it should make the car more legal.
You could have a go at it yourself, and if it doesn't run call a flatbed and have your mechanic give a go.
-C

[86911tlcab]

whatever you decide...if it were me, I would at a minimum replace all the air hoses on the CIS system. I purchased one off a running car, and replaced all the hoses (even putting clamps where none existed) and tightened everything up prior to putting it in (pretty simple install--though i am unfamiliar with all the mods noted in Charles write up). Since CIS is so air leak dependant, you can at least know that the hoses are all ok, when you go to fire it up.

[Josh D]

To do yourself or pay someone else is a decision only you can make. If it were me, I'd do it myself. But I pretty much never let others work on any of our cars.

With that being said:

1. Nice middie!
2. Props for using it as a daily!

[T77911S]

thats a question you have to answer. it seems to also come down to how fast can you do it?
do you have the fuel pump, accumulator and filter and lines that go with the CIS?
how well does your mechanic know CIS?

me? as mine was not a DD, i would fix the zeniths. great carbs. for a DD? the CIS is more relaible, less trouble and better mileage.

the 77 is a very good system. with the system out, i would replace the injector sleeves, Orings and the sleeves on the intake runners.

[Jfporco]

Thanks for all the suggestions, advice. The CIS is 100% complete. I talked with my mechanic, and he suggested I drop it off next week and he will check it out and see if it is "complete" and ready to install, or if it will need some tweaking. If all is good, he will let me participate in the install to save on some $, and school me on the CIS system. Hopefully it will go smoothly for my car and my pocketbook!

Thanks again for the suggestions...

[47silver]

Need to make sure the wiring from the starter to the cold start valve still exists. I believe it is yellow. Also does your engine have the thermal time switch on the left side cam chain cover?