A while back I had to remove my CIS due to a
blown airbox and with no garage available I had no choice but to do it without a partial or full drop, something that is usually recommended.
Here is how I did it (on a 1980 SC with backdated heat and no AC) for those that might find them self in the same situation.
Remember to mark everything as it is removed or disconnected. Also take pictures along the way. Put nuts, washer and other bits and pieces in separate zip-bags and mark them.
1. Remove the air filter and air dome that leads air to the throttle housing. Disconnect the vacuum hoses to the ignition distributor.
2. Pull the injectors, cover the holes and get the fuel lines out of the way. I wrapped them with some masking tape and stuffed them in the airbox (assuming you have the flexible kind). Also remove both the fuel lines to the WUR. Cover the connections and put some masking tape on each line where you write "WUR".
3. Disconnect the throttle linkage and cruise control.
4. Remove the fastening nuts (and washers) for intake runners 1, 2, 3 and 4. Remove the throttle spring from nr 2 intake runner. Loosen the hose clamps and remove the intake runners (mark them). Cover/stuff the holes! Support the airbox with something that doesn't scratch the engine shroud.
5. Remove the fastening nuts for intake runners 5 and 6. Disconnect both breather hoses from the oil tank. Stuff the holes.
6. Disconnect all the electrical plugs on the back of the airbox and at the AAR. Put some masking tape on each and write where it goes. Disconnect the vacuum line (fig 6).
7. Remove the top connector to the fuel filter. Remove the fuel line to the freq. valve. Disconnect the vacuum hose at the T-connector. Cover all the connections and mark where they go (fig 7).
8. Remove fuel line holder (fig 8a). Remove the nut at the back of the bracket for the airbox (fig 8b).
9. At the back of the fuel distributor, disconnect the right-most banjo bolt. This gives you access to the second right-most connector, remove it. Cover the connections and mark where they go.
10. Lift the airbox of the throttle bracket and support it as high as it will go without hurting the 5 and 6 intake runners. Disconnect the breather hose from the top of the engine (this was a struggle for me).
11. Turn/lift out the remaining CIS while making sure nothing gets stuck. You might have to disconnect the bracket for the breather hoses and get them out of the way. Cover the 5 and 6 intakes.
Installation is reverse of removal.
I had a removable engine pad (magnets) that made things easier, might be too tight with one in place. I was also not careful enough and scratched the engine shroud when lifting out the CIS. Consider covering it with something.
My car stood outside while the CIS was off and I covered the whole engine lid with a plastic bag to avoid water from getting in.
Good luck!
fig 6
fig 7
fig 8a
fig 8b
The pictures where shot at installation so they are a bit inconsistent...