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My '81 is very original and still carries its factory smog system, albeit the belt is not attached. (I have the original radiator in a box),
Having had to move and detach a fair bit of the plumbing over the last few days just to replace the valve cover gaskets, it got me thinking - shall I just remove it completely and save some weight / gain better access?
For the avoidance of doubt, emissions are not a factor, so this is purely about maintaining originality versus carrying un-necessarily weight and complexity around.
If I removed it, I'd keep it all secure in boxes for the next owner/restorer - would that detract from its value which is currently as a nice original driver/survivor?
Keep it on you will not create any problems. Car will not gain any performance with it off! Good for resale if car is original under hood! If it is not broke do not fix it!
A tidy engine compartment that is not. 81's don't have any real collector value at this point. A tidy engine compartment would add more value to most than a "Original " rats nest. That is missing the cover over the distributor anyway.
I'd loose it all and clean it up.
While I appreciate a nice and tidy engine bay with lots of chrome and room, you should keep it as original as possible, IMO.
Not a resale value issue. That stuff can be taken off much easier than reassembled and put back on.
The classic factory original look in perfect shape and clean after 40 years is something special in itself.
Mine has been tidied up as well. 1975 l48 auto trans. It is nothing special to look at but it sure is easier to get at everything. There are a couple things left that could go. EGR, which I have considered removing for the same reasons you gave--valve cover access. The power steering pump could go, but it is pretty much tucked out of the way so no biggie. The exhaust heat riser vacuum can can go and likely will when I install dual exhaust.
The chrome distributor covers are removed but are usually there.
I would absolutely remove all that useless junk. If anyone thinks it adds value, I guess you could store it away if and when you sell it. I drive my Vette (3200 miles so far this year) and anything that clears up the engine compartment is an improvement.
I removed the air pump , air pump brackets when I installed headers and eliminated the EGR with a Edelbrock Performer intake on my black 1980 L82 , I’ve put 8K miles since 8-19 so it gets driv
en , still looks stock
The only things you get for taking all that 'stuff' off the engine are dirty hands, bruised knuckles, a lot of things you have to box up and label, and some 'issues' that somehow show up because of accidental damage while going thru the process. Others will want you to "do what I did"! Instead, why don't you do what YOU want to do.
Another consideration is to keep the car as needed for any "emissions testing" requirements for your state, or for a future owner in a different state. The only advantage for removing these items would be 1) if they didn't work properly and cause some operating issue with the vehicle or 2) if you are avid about reducing vehicle weight. The air cleaner and air intake items are USEFUL and should be retained; and they cover up much of the other 'stuff' you wish to remove. Why bother if they aren't causing you any problems?
In other news, whilst I put stuff back on the car following valve cover gasket replacement, I;ve found a hose which I've no idea where it it suppose to terminate, and can't remember where I disconnected one end of it from.
It comes from here on the side of the smog pump....
And looks like this when roughly in position....
Which sees the the other end flop about kind of near the exhaust manifold, but I can't find anything to connect it to - feel a bit silly if I'm honest..... where does it attach to?
Last edited by Last Triumph; Jul 5, 2021 at 03:32 PM.
De-smog or not?
