
GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 640
The tachometer terminal should never
be allowed to touch ground, as damage
to the computer control module and/or ignition coil assembly can result.
CONNECTORS
When disengaging connectors, do not use a screw driver or other tool to release
the locking tab, as this mi ght break the connector.
SYSTEM TESTERS
Instruments designed specific ally for testing HEI or C
3I systems are available
from several tool manufactur ers. Some of these will even test the module itself.
However, the tests given in the followin g section will require only an ohmmeter
and a voltmeter.
TESTING
The symptoms of a defective component within the HEI or C
3I system are
exactly the same as those you woul d encounter in a conventional system.
Some of these symptoms are:
• Hard or no starting
• Rough Idle
• Poor fuel economy
• Engine misses under load or while accelerating
PRELIMINARY CHECKS
If you suspect a problem in your igniti on system, there are certain preliminary
checks which you should carry out befor e you begin to check the electronic
portions of the system. First, it is extrem ely important to make sure the vehicle
battery is in a good state of charge. A defective or poorly charged battery will
cause the various components of the ignition system to read incorrectly when
they are being tested. Second, make su re all wiring connections are clean and
tight, not only at the battery, but also at the distributor cap (if so equipped),
ignition coil, camshaft and/or crankshaft sensors (if so equipped) and at the
control module.
Since the only difference between these ignition systems lies before the spark
plug wiring, it is important to check the secondary ig nition circuit first. If the
secondary circuit checks out properly (ther e is spark), then the engine condition
is probably not the fault of the ignition system. To check the secondary ignition
system, perform a simple spark test. Remove one of the plug wires and insert
some sort of extension in the plug socket. An old spark plug with the ground
electrode removed makes a good extension. Hold the wire and extension using
an insulated tool (NOT BY HAND) about
1/4 in. (6mm) away from the block and
crank the engine. If a normal spark occurs, then the problem is most likely not in
the ignition system. Check for fuel system problems, or fouled spark plugs.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 668
Fig. 3: Be careful not to spill fuel when removing the pump from the engine
TESTING
To determine if the pump is in good condition, tests for both volume and
pressure should be performed. The test s are made with the pump installed, the
engine at normal operating temperatur e and operating at idle speed. Never
replace a fuel pump without first performing these simple tests.
Ensure the fuel filter has been changed at the specified interval. If in doubt,
install a new filter first. Always check fo r broken or deteriorated fuel hoses. If a
line has a crack or split, the pump may be operating properly, but the pump will
only draw air, not fuel.
PRESSURE TEST
1. Disconnect the fuel line at the carburetor, then connect a fuel pump
pressure gauge. Ensure the carburet or float bowl has a sufficient amount
of gasoline.
2. Start the engine and c heck the pressure with the engine at idle. If the
pump has a vapor return hose, squeeze it off so that an accurate reading
can be obtained. Pressure should be 5
1/2-61/2 psi.
3. If the pressure is incorrect, replace t he pump. If it is within specifications,
go on to the volume test.
VOLUME TEST

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 670
the idle speed or mixture,
adjust the idle and mixture again when you are
finished.
Before you make any carburetor adjustment s make sure that the engine is in
tune. Many problems which are thought to be carburetor related can be traced
to an engine which is simply out-of-tune. Any trouble in these areas will have
symptoms like those of carburetor problems.
ADJUSTMENTS
FAST IDLE
ROCHESTER E2SE 1. Refer to the emission label and pr epare the vehicle for adjustment.
2. Place the fast idle screw on the highest step of the fast idle cam.
3. Turn the fast idle screw to obtain the fast idle speed.
ROCHESTER E4ME AND E4MC
The fast idle adjustment must be perform ed according to the directions of the
emissions label.
FLOAT AND FUEL LEVEL
ROCHESTER E2SE
1. Remove the air horn and gasket.
2. While holding the retainer in place, push the float down lightly against the
needle.
3. Place a measuring gauge on the float at the farthest point from the float
hinge.
4. To adjust, remove the float and bend the arm up or down. Also check the
float alignment.
5. Install the air horn and gasket.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 690
b. Install plug, with hollow end do
wn, over the rich mixture stop
screw access hole and drive plug into place so that the top of the
plug is
3/16 in. (4.7mm) below the surface of the air horn casting.
Plug must be installed to retain screw setting.
12. To check the M/C solenoid dwell, first disconnect vacuum line to the
canister purge valve and plug it. Ground diagnostic TEST terminal and
run engine until it is at normal operat ion temperature (upper radiator
hose hot) and in closed loop.
13. Check M/C dwell at 3000 rpm. If within 10-50 degrees, calibration is
complete. If higher than 50 degrees, chec k the carburetor for a cause of
rich condition. If below 10 degrees, look for a cause of lean engine
condition such as vacuum leaks. If none are found, check for the cause
of a lean carburetor.
Fig. 22: Installing the mixture control solenoid gauging tool

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 692
IDLE AIR VALVE
A cover is in place over t
he idle air bleed valve. Also , the access holes to the
idle mixture needles are s ealed with hardened plugs. This is done to seal the
factory settings, during original equipment production. These items are NOT to
be removed unless required for cleaning, part replacement, improper dwell
readings or if the System Performance Check indicates the carburetor is the
cause of the trouble.
ROCHESTER E4ME AND E4MC
1. With engine OFF, cover the internal bowl vents and inlet to bleed valve
and the carburetor air intakes with maski ng tape. This is done to prevent
metal chips from entering.
2. Carefully drill rivet head of idle air bleed cover, with 0.110 in. (2.8mm) drill bit.
3. Remove rivet head and all pieces of rivet.
4. Lift cover off air bleed valve and bl ow out any metal shavings, or use a
magnet to remove excess metal.
CAUTION - Always wear eye protection when using compressed air.
5. Remove masking tape.
6. Start engine and allow it to reac h normal operating temperature.
7. Disconnect the vacuum hose from t he canister purge valve and plug it.
8. While idling in D for automatic transmission or N for manual
transmission, slowly turn the valve c ounterclockwise or clockwise, until
the dwell reading varies within the 25-35 degree range, attempting to be
as close to 30 degrees as possible.
Perform this step carefully. The air bleed valve is very sensitive and should be
turned in
1/8 turn increments only.
9. If the dwell reading d oes not vary and is not within the 25-35 degree
range, it will be necessary to remove the plugs and to adjust the idle
mixture needles.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 694
IDLE MIXTURE
E2SE CARBURETORS
1. Remove the carburet or from the engine.
2. Remove the plugs coveri ng the idle mixture needles.
3. Turn the mixture needle in until slight ly seated, then back it out 4 turns.
4. If the plug in the air horn coveri ng the idle air bleed has been removed,
replace the air horn. If the plug is still in place, do not remove it.
5. Remove the vent stack screen a ssembly to gain access to the lean
mixture screw.
6. Using tool J-28696-10 or equivalent, turn the lean mixture screw in until
lightly seated, then back out 2
1/2 turns.
7. Install the carburetor on the engine.
8. Disconnect the bowl vent line at the carburetor.
9. Disconnect the EGR hos e and canister purge hose at the carburetor.
Cap the ports on t he carburetor.
10. Find the hose from port D of the carburetor to the temperature sensor
and secondary vacuum break thermal vacuum switch. Disconnect and
plug the vacuum hose going to the air cleaner.
11. Connect the positive lead of a dwell me ter to the mixture control solenoid
test lead (green connector). Connect the other lead to ground. Set the
meter to the 6 cylinder position.
12. Run the engine on the high step of the fast idle cam until the cooling fan
starts to cycle.
13. Run the engine at 3,0 00 rpm and adjust the lean mixture screw slowly.
Allow the reading to stabilize, obtain an average dwell of 35 degrees. It is
normal for the dwell to vary in a narrow range.
14. Return to idle.
15. Adjust the idle mixt ure screw to obtain an av erage dwell of 25 degrees.
Allow time for the reading to stabilize.
16. Run the engine at 3,000 rpm and not e the dwell reading. It should be
varying with an average reading of 35 degrees. If it does not, repeat the
earlier steps.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 695
Fig. 27: Idle mixture needle plug removal
E4ME CARBURETORS (ELECTRIC CHOKE) 1. Using tool J-29030, BT-7610-B, or equivalent, turn both idle mixture
needles clockwise until they are lightly seated, then turn each mixture
needle counterclockwise 3 turns.
2. Reinstall carburetor on engine using a new flange mounting gasket, but
do not install air cleaner and gasket at this time.
3. Disconnect the vacuum hose to canister purge valve and plug it.
Readjust the idle air bleed valve to finalize correct dwell reading.
4. Connect the positive lead of a dwell me ter to the mixture control solenoid
test lead (green connector). Connect the other lead to ground. Set the
meter to the 6 cylinder position.
5. Start engine and run unt il fully warm, then repeat the idle air bleed valve
adjustment.
6. If unable to set dwell to 25-35 degrees and the dwell is below 25
degrees, turn both mixture needles counter clockwise an additional turn. If
dwell is above 35 degrees, turn both mixture needles clockwise an
additional turn. Readjust idle air bleed valve to obtain dwell limits. Repeat
as needed.
7. After adjustments are complete, seal the idle mixture needle openings in
the throttle body, using silicone sealant, RTV rubber, or equivalent. The
sealer is required to discourage unnecessary adjus tment of the setting
and to prevent fuel vapor loss in that area. Reconnect canister vacuum
hose.
8. On vehicles without an Idle Load Co mpensator (ILC), adjust curb idle
speed if necessary.
9. Check, and if necessary, adjust fa st idle speed as described on Vehicle
Emission Control Information (VECI) label.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 696
Fig. 28: Lean mixture and idle mixture screw adjustment
E4MC CARBURETOR (HOT AIR CHOKE) 1. Using tool J-29030-B, BT-7610-B, or equivalent, turn each idle mixture
needle clockwise until lightly seated, then turn each mixture needle
counterclockwise 3 turns.
2. Reinstall carburetor on engine, using a new flange mounting gasket, but
do not install air cleaner or gasket at this time.
3. Disconnect vacuum hose to c anister purge valve and plug it.
4. Connect the positive lead of a dwell me ter to the mixture control solenoid
test lead (green connector). Connect the other lead to ground. Set the
meter to the 6 cylinder position.
5. Start engine and allow it to reac h normal operating temperature.
6. While idling in D ( N for manual transmission), adjust both mixture
needles equally, in
1/8 turn increments, until dwell reading varies within
the 25-35 degree range, attempting to be as close to 30 degrees as
possible.
7. If reading is too low, turn mixtur e needles counterclockwise. If reading is
too high, turn mixture needl es clockwise. Allow time for dwell reading to
stabilize after each adjustment.
After adjustments are complete, seal t he idle mixture needle openings in the
throttle body, using silicone sealant, RTV rubber, or equivalent. The sealer is
required to discourage unnece ssary readjustment of the setting and prevent fuel
vapor loss in that area.
8. On vehicles without a carburetor -mounted Idle Load Compensator (ILC) ,
adjust curb idle speed if necessary.