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Minimum vacuum expected

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Old Aug 22, 2019 | 07:31 AM
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Default Minimum vacuum expected

Just curious: was there ever a guide as to what is the minimum amount of vacuum expected (for the system to properly work) at different points in the C3 vaccum wiper and headlight system?
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Old Aug 22, 2019 | 08:25 AM
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My stroker has only 6-7 in hg vacuum at idle.. The headlights would open but only one at a time and take about 30 seconds .. BUT I HAD ZERO BRAKES... after installing an electric vacuum pump producing 18-20 in hg constant vacuum, to have power brakes, I then connected the Headlights to it.. They both pop right up.
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Old Aug 22, 2019 | 08:41 AM
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Even some of the hairiest cams should pull 6-8 inches of Vac. But there are just so many Vac lines going everywhere that you my not have that much vacuum left for the headlights or brakes. With that many Vac connections, there are bound to be some leakage.

As far as minimum for normal operation? IDK. Maybe 10".

If all else, may have to rev it up a bit to get the headlights to operate.
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Old Aug 22, 2019 | 12:31 PM
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fishslayer143 which brand of electric pump did you use? does it run all the time and what about noise level.
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Old Aug 22, 2019 | 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by gmcman52
fishslayer143 which brand of electric pump did you use? does it run all the time and what about noise level.

Its Stainless Steel Brakes brand.. about $200 if I recall. It runs about 20 seconds when you first turn on key to charge , then shuts off . after you depress brakes 2-3 times it will come on again for 20 seconds .. I cannot hear it after I start the engine .Its about as loud as old style elect fuel pumps were. I ve had it 10 yrs , no issues at all and brakes work great. Simple install. I put it where the charcoal canister used to be under the booster.
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Old Aug 22, 2019 | 03:51 PM
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Reason I asked the minimum vacuum question is that I read 7-9 in Hg vac at idle, and come up to a max of about 20 in Hg vac when accelerating slowly. My wiper door and headlights have been staying open during idle, but close under a slow acceleration. I've changed all the vacuum lines, my wiper door actuator tests ok, and I don't see any vacuum leaks with the mity-vac. Is 7-9 in Hg vac sufficient to close the headlight and wiper doors?
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Old Aug 22, 2019 | 05:04 PM
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Originally Posted by jpatrick62
Reason I asked the minimum vacuum question is that I read 7-9 in Hg vac at idle, and come up to a max of about 20 in Hg vac when accelerating slowly. My wiper door and headlights have been staying open during idle, but close under a slow acceleration. I've changed all the vacuum lines, my wiper door actuator tests ok, and I don't see any vacuum leaks with the mity-vac. Is 7-9 in Hg vac sufficient to close the headlight and wiper doors?
Should be. My 77 runs as low as 8" Hg when idling in gear and headlights still work as do the brakes. Slower for sure, but still come up and go back down.
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Old Aug 22, 2019 | 05:12 PM
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Thanks fishslayer143 for the reply, was looking at that same pump vs leeds pump which cost about a hundred more then SS pump
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Old Aug 22, 2019 | 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by jpatrick62
Reason I asked the minimum vacuum question is that I read 7-9 in Hg vac at idle, and come up to a max of about 20 in Hg vac when accelerating slowly. My wiper door and headlights have been staying open during idle, but close under a slow acceleration. I've changed all the vacuum lines, my wiper door actuator tests ok, and I don't see any vacuum leaks with the mity-vac. Is 7-9 in Hg vac sufficient to close the headlight and wiper doors?
That reads like you have the connection on a "ported" vacuum port on the carburetor. Idle vacuum should be at the highest at idle with the throttle blades closed and connected underneath the carburetor (not on a ported vac port).

Min vacuum for good operation of accessories is 12" Hg from what I've read - though many say less than that works.

Hope this helps.
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Old Aug 22, 2019 | 08:44 PM
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Originally Posted by cardo0
That reads like you have the connection on a "ported" vacuum port on the carburetor. Idle vacuum should be at the highest at idle with the throttle blades closed and connected underneath the carburetor (not on a ported vac port).

Min vacuum for good operation of accessories is 12" Hg from what I've read - though many say less than that works.

Hope this helps.
Thanks for the input - just starting to get some of the engine pieces straightened out after buying the car. I get my vac source for the headlights and wiper door from the manifold, at least that's how the last owner
did it.



For the vacuum advance, it looks like he used the ported vac. It has never idled that well, and I am thinking maybe to move it to a manifold vac source?


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Old Aug 22, 2019 | 11:48 PM
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So with a good manifold vacuum source I expect the headlights should have enough vacuum. It reads like you have them connected to some other source or the vacuum lines are mixed up.

I think you understand now how they should operate and just need to sort the lines out.
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