how to simulate engine vacuum?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 704
Likes: 10
From: Blairsville Ga
how to simulate engine vacuum?
Is there a way to simulate engine vacuum without the engine in the car? I’ve got a hot rod heating and air system that runs on vacuum and I’d like to have it installed and working so I can get my interior back in order while the motor is out, but I need some type of vacuum to operate the servos. Any ideas on how to test them?
Thanks
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Confusion
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 581
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From: BC
There are small hand held pumps that will give you adequate vacuum, but they move a small amount of air. They're great for testing indivicual vacuum motors (diaphrams) but are not great if you wanted to put the entire system under vacuum. Your hand will fall off before you've drawn down a vacuum in a larger chamber.
To test the entire sysem, say where you wanted to replicate the single vacuum source that the engine provides you'd need an electric vacuum pump. I've made myself an adapter so that I can use the one I use for evacuating AC systems. Works very well, but of course you still don't have the cfm that the engine has, which is only an issue if you have a leak in your vacuum system.
Steve g
I think Mighty vac is a very popular handheld one.
To test the entire sysem, say where you wanted to replicate the single vacuum source that the engine provides you'd need an electric vacuum pump. I've made myself an adapter so that I can use the one I use for evacuating AC systems. Works very well, but of course you still don't have the cfm that the engine has, which is only an issue if you have a leak in your vacuum system.
Steve g
I think Mighty vac is a very popular handheld one.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 704
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From: Blairsville Ga
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 406
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From: Maroochydore QLD
I have in the past used my vacuum cleaner, just take off the main vac line from manifold and duct tape it to the inlet of your cleaner, turn it on and my headlights operated no problem, heater vents etc all worked. No good for looking for a leak but if all you want to do is test installed devcies its ideal.
You may have to explain to the wife why the hose is covered in grease, mine just rolled her eyes and said "figures".
Dennis.
You may have to explain to the wife why the hose is covered in grease, mine just rolled her eyes and said "figures".
Dennis.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Deplorableville Nebraska
Simple as that.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
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From: California
The problem with running it from another car is the noise... a lot of time if you run a pump (also far enough away) you can hear where the vacuum leaks are coming from, this is very valuble as there are so many things running on vacuum in our cars, old hoses running back and forth from everywhere, and the leaks are 50% of the problem ... you can not do this with a loud enging running next to you.... Also, fumes... unless both cars outside... i like working inside...