Carb/emissions help

[JJJJ]

Hello,

I was just given a 1982 4.1 liter (250) California emission truck. I'm a straight six fan,but this carb/emission plumbing has me boggled. It has no cat (must of been cut out) and many of the smaller emission hoses are disconnected. When I connect to spec it doesn't run well. How much of this garbage can I remove?

It seems to be running rich and can't get it to idle smooth-but smooths out with revs. I understand you should leave the canister but can disconnect the smog pump. Also, I learned others are going to a pre 74 head/exhaust manifold. I know about the intregal head weakness.(no problems at this point)

Question for you straight six guys: can I strip all emissions stuff away and expect to get a clean running truck, is there an after market carb/manifold conversion trick set up or should I go all pre 74?  It's a nicer lower mile truck worth fixin and I was hoping to get decent MPG from this thing with the taller geared AT and power band. FYI don't need to test in this county.

Thanks in advance!!!

[VileZambonie]

Map everything out as a baseline so if you need to or want to ever put anything back it won't be a huge ordeal. Basically just hook up vacuum advance. Hook it up to a manifold vacuum port rather than a timed ported vacuum. Keep EGR there if you have it and it's functioning. If you don't want it just disconnect it but leave it in tact. Leave the pcv system and evap system Clean up any vacuum leaks and then set your idle mixture and idle speed.