69 Vacuum Tank Location
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 10
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From: Cottage Grove Minnesota
69 Vacuum Tank Location
I recently bought a 69 vette and the guy who had it jury rigged the vacuum hoses for the wipers and lights. Lights work wipers don't. So I bought a hose kit and I am in the process of redoing the vacuum hoses. According to the diagram there is suppose to be a vacuum reserve tank I think on the drivers side wheel well. Well there isn't. I thought maybe it was by the front lights but nothing. I haven't been able to find a picture where it is located but I looked on ebay and saw what it looked like and I don't have one anywhere. I also see they are quit expensive. So I presume I need on in order to get the wipers and lights working. There is a guy who has them for $200 used are there any other reasonably priced new ones out there any one know of. Does someone have a picture on how / were it mounts? It must have leaked and the guy removed it and never put it back or something, don't understand why you would take it out and not either replace it or just leave it. Thanks for any help you can give me.
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Do you have the assembly instructon manual (AIM)? The steel vacuum reserve tanks mount on the rear of the driver's fender skirt. It is difficult to get a tank into that area, especially if the car has power brakes.
This is a 68, but the location of the tank did not change. Directly above the master cylinder\brake booster you can see the top of the tank. The tank is a glossier black than the fender skirt.
You do not need the tank for headlight door or wiper door operation, but you will need to plug the vacuum lines which otherwise went to and came from the tank for either to work. The tank allows you to raise the headlight doors or wiper door a time or two with the engine off.
Without the tank, you will need engine vacuum for the lights and wiper doors.
This is a 68, but the location of the tank did not change. Directly above the master cylinder\brake booster you can see the top of the tank. The tank is a glossier black than the fender skirt.
You do not need the tank for headlight door or wiper door operation, but you will need to plug the vacuum lines which otherwise went to and came from the tank for either to work. The tank allows you to raise the headlight doors or wiper door a time or two with the engine off.
Without the tank, you will need engine vacuum for the lights and wiper doors.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Dec 27, 2013 at 01:42 PM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 10
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From: Cottage Grove Minnesota
Nice - I see it mounts up top - I thought it bolted to the wheel well. I like the engine compartment - I don't understand why people don't take the time to detail them. Mine is a mess - stock 350 dirty I'd like to pull it and clean and paint everything. I have a 65 442 the 1st year I got it I pulled the engine repainted everything put it back the next year I replaced the engine - this one I'd like to drive for a while a lot of little things need fixing
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
You can always find salvaged C3 vacuum reservoir tanks at any Corvette parts swap meet. That is the least expensive [and best] way to replace one. When you get it, check it for leakage; repair it on the "outside" of the tank if you have a problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi H,
Mike's picture shows the location well.
I believe however there are 3 legs on the tank with 2 bolts each. So look for signs of 3 groups of holes in the apron.
One group at the top, very near the underside of the hood surround, and one VERY near the apron's bonded joint with the fender.
Regards,
Alan
Mike's picture shows the location well.
I believe however there are 3 legs on the tank with 2 bolts each. So look for signs of 3 groups of holes in the apron.
One group at the top, very near the underside of the hood surround, and one VERY near the apron's bonded joint with the fender.
Regards,
Alan
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi DS,
I believe you're right.
Some people say the tank can be dropped straight down but I've never been able to make that happen because of the way the legs are spaced around the tank.
Regards,
Alan
I believe you're right.
Some people say the tank can be dropped straight down but I've never been able to make that happen because of the way the legs are spaced around the tank.
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi H,
Even on a car with standard brakes the master cylinder needs to be loosened from the firewall and then the cylinder and lines to the distribution block need to be pushed forward a bit and and toward the engine to get the tank out.
Regards,
Alan
Even on a car with standard brakes the master cylinder needs to be loosened from the firewall and then the cylinder and lines to the distribution block need to be pushed forward a bit and and toward the engine to get the tank out.
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
My hunch is that your inner fender skirt has been replaced since the tank mounting holes were factory. The better replacement skirts have dimples for the hole locations. Check to see if you have the dimples.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Joe,
The upper leg is very near the top of the apron/surround joint, and the outer leg is very near the apron/fender bond joint. The third leg is just where it ends up being.
Notice the hole 'misses' in this picture. They're original holes.
Regards,
Alan
The upper leg is very near the top of the apron/surround joint, and the outer leg is very near the apron/fender bond joint. The third leg is just where it ends up being.
Notice the hole 'misses' in this picture. They're original holes.
Regards,
Alan
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 94
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From: Detroit Michigan
I have a tank available. Late 68 production. With video.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...3926295-a.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...3926295-a.html