Vacuum reservoir
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Vacuum reservoir
Help! I am restoring a 70 vert and my mechanic said i need a new vacuum reservoir. It's that 1.5 gallon sized metal box with 3 nipples on it and fastens to the inside of the drivers quarterpanel next to the brake master cylinder. My mechanic says it's only drawing 8 inches of pressure and would need a torch to open it up. Can't find anyone supplying it at Zip, Ecklers, CC, MAM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,151
Likes: 98
From: Conroe TX
St. Jude Donor '11
Dr. Rebuild has an 80-82 vacuum tank that can be used as a replacement, but it is only half the capacity of the original:
Last edited by pewter99; Oct 17, 2009 at 08:30 AM. Reason: non supporting vendor link
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
First off what is the problem. The vacuum resevoir only halds vacuum to operate the headlight doors and the windshield door. It has nothing to do with pulling 8 inches of vacuum. What is the vacuum the motor is pulling, is it 8 inches? Is there a leak in the rubber lines going to the vacuum tank? The only reason to replace the tank is if it is rusted and has a hole in it. Find out the real problem before throwing parts at it. The tank is just a big can no need to open it up. It either works or it does not work.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
I have had several 1970 models that had leaks in the vaccum tank. When I removed them to see what was going on, I found stress cracks in the front and rear surface of the tank. These stress cracks occur from years of the tank flexing as the pressure changes inside the tank. These cracks can be brazed or even sealed with JB Weld, and the tank will be fine.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I had a guy tell me he used the motorcycle swish around tank sealer on his and it worked. Its been several years and its still holding. I think the sealer would have been more effective for"vacuum" on the outside of the tank but it worked for him. He said he could see the sealer coming out of the stress cracks and after the sealer dried he just trimmed it with a razor blade.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 374
Likes: 1
From: Forsyth Illinois
Probably 70 lbs.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,117
From: Crossville TN
There is a Corvette Expo going on in Servierville, TN (today and tomorrow)...just east of Knoxville. There are gobs of vendors with swap meet parts and I saw one who had at least a half-dozen of those tanks in a box. Didn't see the price, but used parts shouldn't be all that much. Do you know anyone in that area who can pick one up for you?
