Done with Vacuum system completely
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
It can be done, but only if:
You don't want your heater or AC controls to work (on non AC cars the vents with split between defrost and heat - I don't know all for AC except that no MAX AC for sure)
You don't want your interior air exhaust doors to function (if you don't have AC)
You get rid of or manually operate the wiper door (There are hoods that eliminate the door)
You convert the headlight doors to electric (I did see a kit) or operate them manually
I got my system working when I was 20 years old (1976) on my 69 using only the GM Service Manual. I have only had the wiper parked interlock valve fail in my 145,000 miles since that time.
You don't want your heater or AC controls to work (on non AC cars the vents with split between defrost and heat - I don't know all for AC except that no MAX AC for sure)
You don't want your interior air exhaust doors to function (if you don't have AC)
You get rid of or manually operate the wiper door (There are hoods that eliminate the door)
You convert the headlight doors to electric (I did see a kit) or operate them manually
I got my system working when I was 20 years old (1976) on my 69 using only the GM Service Manual. I have only had the wiper parked interlock valve fail in my 145,000 miles since that time.
Last edited by StickShiftCorvette; Sep 29, 2007 at 05:18 PM. Reason: typos
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Somerset KY
I wouldn't get rid of the vacuum system...
I think I've had about every thing possible go wrong with my vacuum system since I've had my car but I would not do away with the system because of what everyone has said and once you get it figured out it's not that bad. The best thing I did was order a hose kit from Volunteer Corvette and it has a really good diagram that's easy to figure out every thing with the system. I did wind up replacing the 2 headlight actuators and one control (I forget what it's called) under the dash and the whole system works great now including the notorious wiper door.
Just my 2 cents but I believe it is easier to step back and work through your vacuum system problem than to gut it completely. Believe me the thought went through my head several times too.
Just my 2 cents but I believe it is easier to step back and work through your vacuum system problem than to gut it completely. Believe me the thought went through my head several times too.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
I think I've had about every thing possible go wrong with my vacuum system since I've had my car but I would not do away with the system because of what everyone has said and once you get it figured out it's not that bad. The best thing I did was order a hose kit from Volunteer Corvette and it has a really good diagram that's easy to figure out every thing with the system. I did wind up replacing the 2 headlight actuators and one control (I forget what it's called) under the dash and the whole system works great now including the notorious wiper door.
Just my 2 cents but I believe it is easier to step back and work through your vacuum system problem than to gut it completely. Believe me the thought went through my head several times too.
Just my 2 cents but I believe it is easier to step back and work through your vacuum system problem than to gut it completely. Believe me the thought went through my head several times too.
I bought my '76 new and while it has just 90k on the odometer, all I have ever done to the vacuum system is replace the timing hoses. From a high tech standpoint, it is archaic. But in reality, it works very well. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 0
From: Mesa AZ
the heater controls only take one vacuum line from the engine. you end up with a big hole in your center console if you take them out. but if your leaving the controler in the console you might as well leave the 1 vacuum line to the engine. then you only need a pcv line.
-no vacuum advance
-hydroboost/ manual brakes
-fixed/ electric opening lights
-no egr
-no fuel cannister
-no vacuum advance
-hydroboost/ manual brakes
-fixed/ electric opening lights
-no egr
-no fuel cannister
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Archaic is as archaic does... All of us "21st century folks" are still using paper...and it's about 5,000 years old. The vacuum system is very robust and very reliable. Everything mechanical can break on your car--and will, given enough time. Fixing a vacuum system problem is no more difficult than fixing an electrical problem. Oh, and you won't start any fires working on the vacuum problem.
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