Does anyone out there other than me have a 1980 Calif, smog nightmare vehicle ? I have a problem with the electronic ignition and the carb and it seems as if there are no parts to be had for this year and state. I have tried to do the Ignition mag pick-up however this does not work on this year due to no way to mount it. Any one have any ideas other than replacing the engine?
x2. I have a 1980 Cal. version, just passed the smog test last week. The only problem I ever had with the ignition was the Igniter stopped working. New Igniter Assembly and no more problems.
Mine is a 1977. It might not apply to your situation, but I bypassed the whole ignitor thingie, added a Pertronix unit to a non-USA distributor, and no one has been the wiser.
You should be able to replace the distributor with any other '79 and up large cap distributor if you can't find the ignition pickup module. Even if there are some differences, I doubt that the smog technician would pick up on it, since they no longer do extensive under hood tests. My experience is that they just make sure all the gear is present, check the timing and do a sniff test.
Thanks! I just found a used distributor will install and see if this fixes my problem. I also just read FAQ that it may also have something to do with my carb electrical, I guess one thing at a time?
Thanks! I just found a used distributor will install and see if this fixes my problem. I also just read FAQ that it may also have something to do with my carb electrical, I guess one thing at a time?
The only thing electrical is the idle shut cut solenoid.
Those early (small cap) electronic distributors can be problematic-the shaft is supported by bushings and they wear, making the shaft wobble as it spins and screws with the timing. Plus the vacuum advance units are discontinued by Toyota.
My guess is the problem is in the air injection system and Cat. Go over all the vacuum hoses carefully before you spend a ton of $$.
If the new one is bad or questionable, consider the ignition from an FJ60, which is similar, but the distributor shaft is supported by bearings that basically don't ever wear out. It's a drop in mod with some adjustment to the side cover, mentioned above.
