Smog Pump Vacuum
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Smog Pump Vacuum
I will have to continue to use my vacuum operated headlights until I mount my fixed lights and all the needed body work. I want to remove all the vacuum lines from the motor to clean things up. Seeing as how I don't use vacuum brakes any more the only things I would leave connected are the distributor, transmission modulator, and PCV system. All of which is neatly located on the motor.
The rest of the system...that snakes in through the dash, and up to the lights...is something I could do without.
I was thinking, if I had an electric pump to create the vacuum needed up front in the vacuum tank, that I could remove the engine from the headlight vacuum system.
I have a spare LT1 electric smog pump lying around. It looks like I could very easily wire it to an IGN source so it runs when the motor is running, and just connect it's inlet to the vacuum tank.
I will try connecting it to a tank and testing vacuum with a gauge but I was wondering if anyone knew what kind of vacuum it actually produces and what the minimum for the headlights is? I was thinking of mounting this pump up front by the tank.
I can find these pumps cheap online...would two working together double effectiveness?
The rest of the system...that snakes in through the dash, and up to the lights...is something I could do without.
I was thinking, if I had an electric pump to create the vacuum needed up front in the vacuum tank, that I could remove the engine from the headlight vacuum system.
I have a spare LT1 electric smog pump lying around. It looks like I could very easily wire it to an IGN source so it runs when the motor is running, and just connect it's inlet to the vacuum tank.
I will try connecting it to a tank and testing vacuum with a gauge but I was wondering if anyone knew what kind of vacuum it actually produces and what the minimum for the headlights is? I was thinking of mounting this pump up front by the tank.
I can find these pumps cheap online...would two working together double effectiveness?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
New development.
I found this electric pump cheap, and it looks like it'll work great. I'm thinking if I use this pump I can either remove the large nose tank and either run no tank or just install a smaller tank.
I found this electric pump cheap, and it looks like it'll work great. I'm thinking if I use this pump I can either remove the large nose tank and either run no tank or just install a smaller tank.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
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From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
Are you having trouble with your headlights rising or staying up? Even if they rise a little slow I couldn't imagine going through all that trouble and extra weight of a pump to eliminate so little of the vacuum system.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Yep. I have more testing to do with the relays and such but I know I have under 10 down at the lights. When I tested last it was about 7 at idle.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,504
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I have looked for leaks. I've replaced most of the vacuum tubing. I have checked the carb, all the ports, and everything but the relays.
I'm pretty sure my cam is killing my vacuum.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,504
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Well the auxiliary pump is plan 'B'. I plan on replacing the headlight relays and performing seal kits on the actuators. If that doesn't fix it and I still can't find a leak I'm going with a simple pump until I mount my fixed headlights.
I even check the shaft bushing for wear and tested to see if air was leaking in through there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,504
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Well the auxiliary pump is plan 'B'. I plan on replacing the headlight relays and performing seal kits on the actuators. If that doesn't fix it and I still can't find a leak I'm going with a simple pump until I mount my fixed headlights.
I even check the shaft bushing for wear and tested to see if air was leaking in through there.
I even check the shaft bushing for wear and tested to see if air was leaking in through there.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
If I reroute the HVAC lines then I already have some I can use for that. Are you busy this weekend? I would like the new system tested.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Niles, MI
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri