NateAggs

Fellow '81 Vettes,

The other day I fired up Charlotte and I heard a pop and a hissing noise from the engine. It ran well, with no change in idle RPM, engine temp, or oil pressure. But the original sound of a "glug glug glug" from a V8 turned into a kind of slurry glug. I popped the hood and found that one of the pipes from my exhaust manifold had broken in half due to rust. So naturally I duct taped the exhaust hole and the car sounds perfectly normal again - but I'm not a big fan of using duct tape on an engine. I cracked open my Hayne's manual and the owners manual but neither had anything on the issue.

I know one of the previous owners has done some work on the exhaust system, hence why these tubes are stopped up. But I have no idea what work he did on the exhaust.

I have attached images of the broken part and the identical part on the other side of the engine.

Can someone explain to me what the name of the part is and the original purpose of these pipes/hoses are for?
Does anyone know why the previous owner would have blocked this exhaust pipe?
Where can I find a new part like this?

Bonus: What's the best way to clean my engine bay to make it look clean and presentable?



Here is the part that broke in half



This is the identical part on the opposite side of the engine



This is the identical part on the opposite side of the engine

dugsgms74

The part is called a air injection check valve, still readily available. A better option might be to remove of them both and cap the hole with threaded pipe caps from the hardware store.

Big2Bird

Yup. Check valve. Rock Auto would have that. Hoses I bought from the Doc.

I would also suggest you buy the 81 Vette dealers manual. All the vendors have them.

KapsSA

If you don't have the AIR pump on the front of the motor you might as well remove the piping as suggested.

NateAggs

Much appreciated! I'll see what I can do!

carriljc

Take a picture from a little further back so we can eyeball your engine and see if you have the rest of Air Injection Reactor system (smog pump stuff).

NateAggs

Here's a couple pictures of the engine from a distance. There are several things missing and some components that are incomplete - I'd love to hear of any suggestions if you have them. She runs, but there are a lot of loose ends that I want to clean up as time and money permits.

Big2Bird

I would say all the smog stuff is gone, including carb and dizzy.

carriljc

Your smog pump is gone so I would just "cap" those AIR ports. If you want performance, then you can buy other exhaust manifolds or headers.

I would not modify the exhaust manifolds.... you can probably sell them to somebody that needs to keep the smog stuff.

HeadsU.P.

Well, as long as you are asking for ideas. Take that cheap plastic fuel filter off and throw it as far as you can into the neighbors yard. Those things are a accident waiting to happen. I never understood why people think they need to see the gas going by on the way to the carb. The factory didn't need to see it.
Find something better / safer, in metal.

Also, I wonder why the PB booster does not have a direct-shot vacuum line from the carb. Looks like a big check valve canister or something is in between.

Big2Bird

That is a filter in the line, and is stock.

HeadsU.P.

Its HUGE!

81BLACKVETTE

I used a threaded pipe cap from Home Depot

jb78L-82

Get rid of the AIR pump junk.....Plug the holes in the exhaust manifolds.

YES...that check valve is STOCK. I still have mine on my 78 L-82.............................Leave it alone..it's there for a reason

NateAggs

Do y'all have any recommendations on how to get out the air injection check valve? The threads are stuck, and I'm trying to use the biggest wrench I can fit in there but no joy. I don't have access to any power tools or welding equipment, as much as I would love to remove the whole exhaust vanes leading to the plugged air injection valves.