Carter BBD issues

I have owned pretty much uniquely the late model AMC products from the middle 70's to early 80's (I choose to avoid those with plastic valve covers) and if most of the OEM smog components are still on the engine some where I have successfully been able to reassemble things correctly according to the TSM and how it has or was supposed to be and be able to tune and drive these cars satisfactory. I have had at times the need to not only tune and drive them but to have them pass state smog tests. It can be done. But a TSM is a mandatory product to have. So is a vacuum gauge and the knowledge as to how to use the thing.
I have even built modified I-6 motors that ran like Smokey the bear and also passed smog.
I do not object to the Smog version of the Carter BBD carburetor other than it's miniscule size which chokes the engine way down but it will indeed work correctly if given a chance. I have worked also with the Carter YF. They are old carburetors many of us learned to rebuild when they were newer and we were younger.
Following the directions on the rebuild kits and using a clean work bench to find dropped parts goes a long ways to completing the job. Vacuum and the correct application of it depends on the rubber hoses to be in good condition and plugged in correctly.
Sort of is not good enough. It is incorrect routing of the rubber lines for the vacuum to be correct and this includes those that go into the cabin to run fresh air vents and heater-A/c systems or on Eagles that go under the car to shift drive systems. It some times is quite frustrating to have to go there but that is what it is.
If I have to I can and some times do retrofit the engine compartment so it mimics that application as to 1970 but that too requires a methodic approached.
But the bottom line still is, a TSM gets the job done. If it is not being used, the same language between two people is not being understood.

hi, the computer is of Ford origin, and the 84+, (not sure about 83), is still available from any auto parts place, about $180. thanks, gz

I was probably thinking about the GM 2.5L computer system....

Tom's comment on the TSM goes for ANY AMC/Rambler you plan on working on much, really, but doubly so for the later cars with rather complicated smog systems.

The wheel cylinders need replacing before I can do a proper road test with the new carburetor. Brakes felt squishy after the torque converter was put in and the car wouldn't stop without a parking brake punch. Replacing the cylinders and the hardware (various things snapped over the years), and gonna road test at the first opportunity to see if the problem's still around.

That's par for the course with an old car! Eventually you'll have replaced everything. When you do it one or two things a year, by the time you get around to replacing everything, it's time to start over, because the thing you replaced 10+ years ago is now ready to be replaced again! Enjoy.... you have too!