Originally Posted by Stretch

I don't know for sure but I doubt if a M104 would. Even the CIS on the M102 and M103 (generation before) which is essentially an electrickery assisted mechanical system needs its electrickery to run nicely. My M102 (with fuel injection) will run with the computer unplugged but it isn't very happy about it...

...if you want something simpler then you'd have to go to pre-1983 engines

(A M102 with a carb still has some form of electronic ignition although it is still vacuum dependent)