So I picked up a 1989 dodge raider 2.6 M/T. Interior is stripped and rear portion of roof is removed. This is literally going to be only a trail rig. From all the researched I've done I've realized this is a Mitsubishi montero rebadged by dodge. So I before I blew the head gasket(took 200k miles of abuse) it was running rough but great, even ran on three cylinders until it milk-shaked.

I'm in the process of tearing it down as well as removing all non essentials like the A/C system and emissions systems(again strictly a trail rig, no inspections need to be passed since it will be trailer-ed)

However, Parts are easy to come by and I manged to find a service manual containing tons of useful information for a full engine rebuild(head, cylinders, timing chains, etc only costing me $600 LOL). But looking at the mess of vacuum lines, I have also done some reading an found Webber carb conversions for this. I guess I'm curious as to how successful these kits are. I noticed all of the vacuum lines run into what looks like an electrical box(guessing its the ECM?). So If I buy the webber kit, remove the old carb and all of the millions of vacuum line that go to it, but what happens to the vacuum lines that go to oh say the distributor advance(mine has 2)?

I guess I'm not used to this older stuff (I'm a VW technician by trade) so the rebuild and stuff is a breeze, but all these vacuum lines and such and making my head spin. I mean does this vehicle even have an ECM? what are all these vacuum lines running to and what controls them(ones not connected to carb)?

See I found this article, but i noticed his distributor advance only has ONE vacuum line not two like mine does, but the engines from the pictures look identical Mazda Mikuni/Solex carburetor -- We...er / Grocery Getter - The Garage Gazette

I just want to be sure of the route i take before I spend $300 and removing these 30 or so vacuum lines and install the conversion kit

my brother has a weber on his '87 2.6 mt.
works fine(electric choke).
most of those hoses become useless, and he is only using the advance part of that unit- I think it was able to retard timing for smog reasons.

Oh, Ok, so it sounds like its not actively adjusting timing? I guess I should have stated that another way. Since I work on cars for a living(stuff after 2000 mostly) I assumed it was constantly adjusting timing.. But if it just retards it for emissions I'm not gonna worry about it
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Haha, one day it started leaking oil from the back of the motor, quick inspection i though it was the oil pan so i pulle the pan and resealed it, then i noticed it was leaking between the head and the block. it had over heated the last time it was running then i found coolant mixed in with the oil, really hoping it just needs a new headgasket, I really dont want to buy a head haha

I put an Weber on the 88 I hadan d it worked great except on extremme angles. There is an excellent write up on how to fix that in the old Toyota truck threads on Pirate. If'n you can wing it, I highly recommend some stuff called Steel Seal. I apparently had some type of head issue, because I tried two head gaskets and still had issues. This stuff isn't sawdust or pepper or anything like that. In fact it is a clear fluid that must wiork thru alchemy. It has worked on 3 different motorsa nd they are all still going strong with no problems. And I ran the piss out ofthe 88 for two years before I handed it off to my eldest son.

have a weber 38 on my loewerd mighty max and i love it, great throttle response and great mpg, just dont like it below zero lol.

Also I have a bunch of old parts, A/C system and all emissions stuff, some interior. You pay shipping and I'll send it. Except A/C compressor using that for an on-board air setup