Vapor Canister Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 285
Likes: 88
From: Pennsylvania
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Vapor Canister Question
Hi,
The charcoal in the vapor canister of my '71 LS5 has pretty much turned to dust, and is no longer effective after 39 years.
Companies listing replacement canisters all seem to be showing 'discontinued' for this specific canister.
So, I'd like to reuse my original one, which is otherwise in good condition.
My Question: Does anyone know of how to obtain correct replacement charcoal for this application?
I know the bottom filters are available at most any auto parts store, but I don't see charcoal available anywhere.
If I can reuse the canister I have, that'd be great.
Thanks a lot for any suggestions and/or advice!
Bally
The charcoal in the vapor canister of my '71 LS5 has pretty much turned to dust, and is no longer effective after 39 years.
Companies listing replacement canisters all seem to be showing 'discontinued' for this specific canister.
So, I'd like to reuse my original one, which is otherwise in good condition.
My Question: Does anyone know of how to obtain correct replacement charcoal for this application?
I know the bottom filters are available at most any auto parts store, but I don't see charcoal available anywhere.
If I can reuse the canister I have, that'd be great.
Thanks a lot for any suggestions and/or advice!
Bally
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 737
Likes: 3
From: Pennington NJ
I think the standard "rebuild" procedure is to cut it open, and buy some activated charcoal at pet stores (I think that is where it is sold, although it does sound strange!). IIRC, some people cut the bottom of the can open, then refill it and epoxy it closed again. Or you could get another vapor canister from a junkyard.
Will
Will
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,285
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Bally,
I think Will's right on. I believe people use the charcoal that folks with fish tanks use in their filters.
IF you cut yours open I'd LOVE to see some pictures.
Regards,
Alan
I think Will's right on. I believe people use the charcoal that folks with fish tanks use in their filters.
IF you cut yours open I'd LOVE to see some pictures.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 285
Likes: 88
From: Pennsylvania
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Thanks guys,
If anyone else would care to weigh in, I'd sure be interested.
I mentioned to the fellow rebuilding my engine (he is a stickler for originality, which I appreciate) about using activated charcoal from a pet store in the canister, and he was less than enthusiastic about that idea!
I've heard of others doing that though, and there seems to be no problem.
Odd that one can't buy automotive grade replacement charcoal for the canister. Maybe replacing the entire canister use to be easy and cheap; now you can't easily find one, at least for an August 1970 built '71 Vette.
If anyone else would care to weigh in, I'd sure be interested.
I mentioned to the fellow rebuilding my engine (he is a stickler for originality, which I appreciate) about using activated charcoal from a pet store in the canister, and he was less than enthusiastic about that idea!
I've heard of others doing that though, and there seems to be no problem.
Odd that one can't buy automotive grade replacement charcoal for the canister. Maybe replacing the entire canister use to be easy and cheap; now you can't easily find one, at least for an August 1970 built '71 Vette.
Last edited by Bally; Dec 1, 2010 at 03:36 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If yours no longer is functional, you have little to lose by trying to recharge it. If nothing else, it would be good information for the rest of us...as to whether that alternative is viable or not. Keep us informed if you try it. {I would, if I needed to do it.}
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 737
Likes: 3
From: Pennington NJ
Yeah you could give it a shot, unless you dont want to cut the old one open, and I think all activated charcoal is the same.
Will
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 285
Likes: 88
From: Pennsylvania
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I might try it then.
My concern is that the aquarium charcoal would be of a different, lighter weight and that it might get sucked through into the carb or some other quite undesirable scenario!
That's why i wondered if anyone here had used it successfully...
Thx!
My concern is that the aquarium charcoal would be of a different, lighter weight and that it might get sucked through into the carb or some other quite undesirable scenario!
That's why i wondered if anyone here had used it successfully...
Thx!
Last edited by Bally; Dec 1, 2010 at 05:56 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 737
Likes: 3
From: Pennington NJ
Will
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
I do not think that canister would send anything up to the carb. I know the fuel tank runs to it, but not sure if there are any carb lines to it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I don't know how the cannister is constructed, but I would think there is some sort of 'screen' to prevent any of the charcoal media from being injested by the engine. There are two lines from the carb connected to the cannister: one that supplies a vacuum 'signal' and the other that joins with the PCV valve output before going into the base of the carb. The only thing that should ever get sent to the carb [from the cannister] is fuel vapors.
