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Idle solenoid - 68 Tri

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Old Jan 31, 2007 | 12:52 AM
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Default Idle solenoid - 68 Tri

I've posted my issue before re: loss of idle on my 68 with a/c and all accessories running. Majority indicated I need idle solenoid. I was looking at a 69 Tri power with a/c in Fact Book by M. F. Dobbins (pg. 94) and note the existence of idle solenoid. Based on this 69 setup, it would seem that my 68 should have an idle solenoid, but it doesn't. Not sure if the idle solenoid was added in 69, or somehow the idle solenoid on my 68 has gone missing over th years. I've only had the car the past 1.5 years.
Does anyone have any insight as to whether the center Holley carb on a 68 Tri w/ a/c came from the factory with an idle solenoid? Did the 67 400hp with a/c come with an idle solenoid?
Next issue is where do I get a solenoid for the Holley and how do I hook it up? Would assume it ties into the on/off for the a/c, is anyone aware of any documentation of how to hook it up? Thanks!
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Old Jan 31, 2007 | 04:44 AM
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The 1968 AIM shows the idle solenoid set-up for big block cars with the quad and the tri-power. This is a hard set-up to find. Especially the solenoid bracket.
You might try a place called JT Pipers. They have a bunch of used parts. Expect to pay big dollars.
Bryan
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Old Jan 31, 2007 | 08:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Red68Tri
Would assume it ties into the on/off for the a/c, is anyone aware of any documentation of how to hook it up? Thanks!
I can't speak to the '68 solenoid but on the '72, it is used stop the car from dieseling when you turn the engine off. The shop manual says to disconnect the solenoid and set the engine idle to about 450 rpm then connect the solenoid and adjust the solenoid plunger to obtain 850 rpm. Then when you shut of the engine the solenoid retracts and cuts the air supply off to stop the dieseling.

I have read that a few years later the function of the solenoid was changed to kick up the idle speed when the a/c was turned on.

cc
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Old Jan 31, 2007 | 09:46 AM
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Originally Posted by 68rdstr
...This is a hard set-up to find. Especially the solenoid bracket....Expect to pay big dollars....


Expect to pay VERY BIG dollars for the correct one-year-only bracket and solenoid. If you can live with it, you might want to consider going with the set up off the '69.
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Old Jan 31, 2007 | 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Easy Mike

Expect to pay VERY BIG dollars for the correct one-year-only bracket and solenoid. If you can live with it, you might want to consider going with the set up off the '69.
The '69 tripower setup is big bucks anyway, only on 400 hp with air and 435 hp with automatic.

Correctly stated above that it is an idle solenmoid that is energized when the ignition is on, and de-energized when the key is off -- sorta the opposite of more modern A/c idle-up solenoids.

Steve
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Old Jan 31, 2007 | 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Easy Mike

Expect to pay VERY BIG dollars for the correct one-year-only bracket and solenoid. If you can live with it, you might want to consider going with the set up off the '69.


This is a very expensive set up. I heard that they call this the "$5k bracket". I hope this isn't true.

Good luck
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Old Jan 31, 2007 | 09:02 PM
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I can remember seeing the solenoid's for auction on ebay. I believe the solenoids were used on 4 barrel carbs for various GM cars and of course the 3X2 AC equipped Corvettes. What's very difficult to buy is the 3X2 tripower solenoid BRACKET.
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Old Jan 31, 2007 | 11:56 PM
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Thanks all for the info. I posted this thread on Tech/Performance forum, one guy indicates he's in touch with a machinist that is going to make a bracket for him. I really don't see any other option, slim odds of finding one on eBay or swap meet. If you see any of these come available for sale, please contact me.
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Old Feb 2, 2007 | 11:02 AM
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When I restored a 72 LT-1 A/C car, I found the correct idle solenoid at a junkyard on a Chevy Impala. If there are any yards near you, especially the ones you can pick your own parts at, you would be surprised at how many motor and emissions parts were used on a standard Chevy. It is surely more difficult now, but, check cars that are a year older and a year newer. Also, this was a great place to get "correct" factory bolts, screws, connectors, wires, and other hardware.
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Old Feb 2, 2007 | 12:42 PM
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anyone Have A Pic To Post Of This Million $$$$$ Bracket & Solenoid ?
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Old Feb 2, 2007 | 01:37 PM
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Mine, don't rag on me about condition.



Steve
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Old Feb 2, 2007 | 08:25 PM
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Originally Posted by halfmoontrail
Mine, don't rag on me about condition.



Steve
thank you...........any pics of it installed / mounted / location ?
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Old Feb 9, 2007 | 10:15 PM
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Just catching up with thread, Steve, thanks for the actual pics. There are two other parts that are also supposedly elusive, it is the clamp (part #3940918, this may be in the pic, kinda inside the bracket) and the extension that attaches to the throttle (part #3940922). Do you have a pic of the extension? Is the clamp, in you pic, attached around the solenoid? Do you have a pic of your idle solenoid attached to your 3x2?

SixPack, the only actual pic I've seen, attached to 3x2, is in the '68-'72Corvette Fact book by M. F. Dobbins, page 94. It's shows the setup on a '69, but it's the same for the '68. Also, check this link for the AIM diagram of the idle solenoid:

[URL="http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1584970&highlight=TriPo wer"]
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Old Feb 10, 2007 | 07:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Red68Tri
Just catching up with thread, Steve, thanks for the actual pics. There are two other parts that are also supposedly elusive, it is the clamp (part #3940918, this may be in the pic, kinda inside the bracket) and the extension that attaches to the throttle (part #3940922). Do you have a pic of the extension? Is the clamp, in you pic, attached around the solenoid? Do you have a pic of your idle solenoid attached to your 3x2?

SixPack, the only actual pic I've seen, attached to 3x2, is in the '68-'72Corvette Fact book by M. F. Dobbins, page 94. It's shows the setup on a '69, but it's the same for the '68. Also, check this link for the AIM diagram of the idle solenoid:

[URL="http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1584970&highlight=TriPo wer"]

just wondering where to look to see if mine has it on or it's missing like me smog............?
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Old Feb 10, 2007 | 09:03 AM
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Originally Posted by 427SIXPACK
just wondering where to look to see if mine has it on or it's missing like me smog............?
If your car has a/c then it should be on the accelerator lever side.
No a/c, no brackets.
Bryan
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Old Feb 10, 2007 | 10:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Red68Tri
Just catching up with thread, Steve, thanks for the actual pics. There are two other parts that are also supposedly elusive, it is the clamp (part #3940918, this may be in the pic, kinda inside the bracket) and the extension that attaches to the throttle (part #3940922). Do you have a pic of the extension? Is the clamp, in you pic, attached around the solenoid? Do you have a pic of your idle solenoid attached to your 3x2?
I think the clamp is in the picture, look at the second one. I'll look for the throttle extension -- I've not yet installed my bracket.

Steve
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