Vacuum canister for headlights??
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 15
Vacuum canister for headlights??
I was going through the AIM for my 82 and it shows a coffee can canister for the vacuum to operate the headlights in the center of the nose, but when I looked on mine I don't have one??? Would it be somewhere else?? Are the Vettes the same as other cars with hideaways as far as if you have a vacuum leak the headlight doors will default to the up position?? Because I've never seen a Vette sitting around with the headlights up...
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 83
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From: Cramerton NC
On your 82 the tank should be in the center front of the car just forward of and between the headlight relays. Just follow the hoses from your headlight relays and you should find it. It's pretty hard to miss, its about a foot long and probably 9 inches or so in diameter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
The headlight will stay at the position they were in when the vacuum system failed. Mine failed from sitting for a long time, so they were down. I have heard of people bypassing the canister after it rusted through but I would assume that such a move would hamper the operation of the system significantly. A replacement is easy to make from an old veggie can from the grocery store (the institutional size can) as long as you have the original to get the hose fitting from. That's what I did. It is the same exact can.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,161
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From: coffee
I ended up snapping the fitting off the top of mine when I was trying to remove one of the lines. I figure I'll run through that system eventually, but I can do it by hand fairly quickly.
The canisters are not reproduced that I can find. I may try and track down a used one, or just put in something like this.
The canisters are not reproduced that I can find. I may try and track down a used one, or just put in something like this.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
I ended up snapping the fitting off the top of mine when I was trying to remove one of the lines. I figure I'll run through that system eventually, but I can do it by hand fairly quickly.
The canisters are not reproduced that I can find. I may try and track down a used one, or just put in something like this.
The canisters are not reproduced that I can find. I may try and track down a used one, or just put in something like this.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
A plastic can will just crumple or implode when vacuum is hooked to it. Same for a metal can that is thin sheet metal with no strengthening ridges stamped into it. 15-20"Hg is about 6-8 (negative)psi; that is a lot of force on the outside of the can. It needs to be sturdy to hold up to that force.
The large 'coffee can' is about the optimum for the thinnest metal can that will support that load.
The large 'coffee can' is about the optimum for the thinnest metal can that will support that load.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 15
On your 82 the tank should be in the center front of the car just forward of and between the headlight relays. Just follow the hoses from your headlight relays and you should find it. It's pretty hard to miss, its about a foot long and probably 9 inches or so in diameter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,666
Likes: 1
From: Where it's always hot as Hell-South Louisiana.
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
There is a problem if they both take more than 4-5 seconds to open.
My 80 will open both headlights in less than 2 -3 seconds.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: coffee
Then there's always this: http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1980-1982.html
Good stuff, thanks.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,096
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Yep that's about the same on my 82, still wondering how they are working without the canister though??
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 838
Likes: 2
From: Baton Rouge Louisiana
This was a fruit can from a local grocery, just used 3M Panel bond for the original top piece, the can was the exact size as the factory one, works great on my 81. Nice and painted now, looks like the factory original.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 292
Likes: 4
From: LI NY
:iagree I only get one cycle....sometimes not, the lights hang up a little before the vacum runs out. A future project.
