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Topic: How hard to remove vacuum reservoir?

in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems


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How hard to remove vacuum reservoir? (1/9)
 1/19/18 12:45pm
ric's 70 rdstr
Former Member

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Palmdale, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1970 roadster; recently restored; crystal red metallic, saddle interior and soft top; rebuilt 350ci - originally 300hp, now 430hp; 4sp muncie, 3.70 posi.


Joined: 4/8/2016
Posts: 6

I'v been checking out a vacuum problem in my 70. I isolated the tank. I'm finding that I can't pull any vacuum in tank with hand pump. Can hear air escaping. Pretty sure the tank is leaking. Anybody have experience removing the tank. It looks like a really tight fit. Afraid I might have to pull master cylinder (no power brakes) to get it out. Thoughts???

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Re: How hard to remove vacuum reservoir? (2/9)
 1/19/18 2:55pm
73shark
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Overland Park, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.


Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 864

Can you remove the splash shield and get at it from below?

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1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: How hard to remove vacuum reservoir? (3/9)
 1/19/18 3:03pm
ric's 70 rdstr
Former Member

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Palmdale, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1970 roadster; recently restored; crystal red metallic, saddle interior and soft top; rebuilt 350ci - originally 300hp, now 430hp; 4sp muncie, 3.70 posi.


Joined: 4/8/2016
Posts: 6

Thanks for the response. I don't know. I think I have to take off the driver side wheel first. There are (I think) four screws on the fender well holding the tank in place. I am hoping hat there is enough room to drop the tank down but I'm not sure. At best it seems it will be a pretty tight fit. Wondering if anyone else has done this, and if so, how did they do it?

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Re: How hard to remove vacuum reservoir? (4/9)
 1/19/18 4:36pm
Vman73
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Gig Harbor, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1973 L82 4 Speed Coupe - Very original, well documented driver/survivor. 2016 Bend Regional NCRS Top Flight.


Joined: 10/2/2014
Posts: 405

I replaced the vacuum tank on a ‘69 a few years ago with power brakes. Not quite enough room to get it out through the bottom so I had to remove the master and booster, that was a bit ugly. Non power brake car should be easier, but I think you’ll have to remove the master ad take it out the top. Good luck and let us know if you can get it out the bottom.

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John Sigmund
valkman57@sbcglobal.net
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Re: How hard to remove vacuum reservoir? (5/9)
 1/19/18 5:02pm
Vman73
Former Member

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Gig Harbor, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1973 L82 4 Speed Coupe - Very original, well documented driver/survivor. 2016 Bend Regional NCRS Top Flight.


Joined: 10/2/2014
Posts: 405

Just remembered a few more things that may help you out. Yes, the 4 bolts you see in the fender well are for the vacuum tank. They may be a bit rusty, spray them down with some penetrating oil if you need to. If you decide to remove the bottom filler panel from the body to the frame, there are two bolts holding it in place. They are located under the front portion of the rocker panel trim. You should be able to get at the bolts by loosening the two front screws that hold the rocker molding on. The front two are screws with nuts, the ones farther back are similar screws into clip nuts. Those like to rust and snap off. If you can get the front two loose, gentle pry out the rocker panel to get at the bolts holding the filler panel. Finally, if your tank is shot and needs to be replaced, I believe there were several different varieties out there for early C3’s. Some had different mountings, 3 screws vs. 4 and some had different number of vacuum fittings. Hope this helps.

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John Sigmund
valkman57@sbcglobal.net
NCRS Member 61302
NW NCRS Chapter Member



Duct tape is the new Black !!
Re: How hard to remove vacuum reservoir? (6/9)
 1/21/18 2:02pm
ric's 70 rdstr
Former Member

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Palmdale, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1970 roadster; recently restored; crystal red metallic, saddle interior and soft top; rebuilt 350ci - originally 300hp, now 430hp; 4sp muncie, 3.70 posi.


Joined: 4/8/2016
Posts: 6

It helps. Don't think I'll attempt removing the panel. Either I'l get it out the bottom or by first removing the master cylinder. Thanks again.

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Re: How hard to remove vacuum reservoir? (7/9)
 3/31/18 4:10pm
ric's 70 rdstr
Former Member

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Palmdale, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1970 roadster; recently restored; crystal red metallic, saddle interior and soft top; rebuilt 350ci - originally 300hp, now 430hp; 4sp muncie, 3.70 posi.


Joined: 4/8/2016
Posts: 6

Sorry this reply is a long time coming. Some family health issues really limited the time I could spend. Long tale short - I never was able to completely remove the tank. The tank actually looked in great shape,but found cracks around the three tubes on the tank. Cleaned the surrounding areas to bright bare metal and applied some JB-Weld. Was able to spray paint the cleaned/repaired area. Tank now holds vacuum. 

What I removed to try to extricate the tank: 3 attached hoses, front wheel, side louver, screws from 3 brackets attaching the tank, master cylinder (no power brakes), clutch pivot shaft retaining clips - both ends. The clutch rod from the pedal still interfered. Looked like even with that removed there was a good chance the steering column would interfere. I gave up trying to completely remove the tank as I was able to wiggle it around to access the area where the hoses connected and I was pretty sure that was where the problem was. As I noted, once repaired - good old JB-Weld, the tank now holds vacuum. I decided to declare success, vacuum problem solved.



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Re: How hard to remove vacuum reservoir? (8/9)
 4/14/18 6:08am
Jeffy
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Vette(s):
1969 Lemans blue coupe with a small block and turbo 400 auto.


Joined: 3/17/2018
Posts: 9

I replaced the vacuum reservoir on my 69 a few years ago. Took it out from the top after removing the master cylinder. It was a tight fit. I was lucky enough to find another reservoir on a popular auction site. There's a few 1970-72 on there right now.
Re: How hard to remove vacuum reservoir? (9/9)
 4/14/18 7:29am
StingrayHawaii
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Ellijay, GA - USA

Vette(s):
1996 Collector Edition Coupe, LT4, 6 spd 1982 Red on Red, 60k miles 1970 Convert, Maroon, Lt Saddle, 383 4 spd conv with ac 2016 Z-51 yellow Convert, 7 speed (Sold) 1974 Avanti w/Chevy 350 - 4L60 trans 2020 Polaris Slingshot GT LE


Joined: 1/2/2007
Posts: 38

Not one of the easier projects! I recently removed mine to check it and to derust it and paint it. I was replacing the master, brake lines and power brake bellows so it was a goo time to rework the tank. Even then it is a tight squeeze to get it in and out. Don’t think you can take it out the bottom. Mine was a little rusty, but not leaking so I just derusted it and repainted it and reinstalled. Then installed the bellows and master cylinder. The really hard part was the 4 bolts under the dash on the bellows, what a pita!

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