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Topic: How to isolate vacuum componets for testing

in Forum: C3 Body

How to isolate vacuum componets for testing

Posted: 3/21/17 5:01pm Message 1 of 10
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Cana, VA - USA
Joined: 7/3/2016
Posts: 372
Vette(s): 1975 Stingray 71 350 engine Flat top pistons Sniper fuel injection Hyperspark ignition Vintage Air air conditioning Borgeson power steering box
My '75 has a vacuum leak somewhere in the headlight circuit (I isolated the heater controls and these are fine).  I managed to borrow a vacuum pump to see if I could hear where the leak was coming from, but I guess the leak is so bad that I could not get any vacuum up at all.  I tried a hose to my ear to each connection to see if I could hear the leak, but nothing (an open circuit won't make much noise. . .).

I'd like to test each section of the vacuum lines to see if I can narrow it down, but this is a confusing array of hoses and controls!

Does someone have a vacuum diagram, and possibly some pointers on which hoses can be isolated to test each area of the system?

The headlights do open and close okay, but the system does not hold any vacuum once the engine is off.  I have replaced the check valve and filter at the carb.

I'd appreciate any help you can provide!




   

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Re: How to isolate vacuum componets for testing

Posted: 3/21/17 5:53pm Message 2 of 10
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Equinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
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Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
Have you isolated the holding tank at the front of the car? It's the large horizontal tube just under the front edge of the hood. If it leaks, problem found. It may hold enough vacuum while engine is running to operate lights, but not while stopped.

|UPDATED|3/21/2017 5:53:35 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|



Re: How to isolate vacuum componets for testing

Posted: 3/21/17 7:05pm Message 3 of 10
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Cana, VA - USA
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Vette(s): 1975 Stingray 71 350 engine Flat top pistons Sniper fuel injection Hyperspark ignition Vintage Air air conditioning Borgeson power steering box
manchestershark said: Have you isolated the holding tank at the front of the car? It's the large horizontal tube just under the front edge of the hood. If it leaks, problem found. It may hold enough vacuum while engine is running to operate lights, but not while stopped.




Yes, I do know where this is.  I'll apply vacuum to it in the morning to see if that holds okay.

I really need a diagram so I can figure out how to isolate specific parts of the vacuum system to test each by themselves.  I think that will be the most efficient way to track this leak down.
Thanks.



   

Re: How to isolate vacuum componets for testing

Posted: 3/21/17 8:16pm Message 4 of 10
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
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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. 2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray
One of the major aftermarket Corvette suppliers sells an vacuum hose diagram.  Just can't remember which one.


1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: How to isolate vacuum componets for testing

Posted: 3/22/17 7:31am Message 5 of 10
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Brookline, NH - USA
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Vette(s): 1976 corvette L82 red interior with white seats and door panels with ceramic headers and flow master exhaust and a Crane Cam
Here is a link to you tube from willcox which demostrates how to troubleshoot this problem !




There's nothing better in life then a Vette Smile
 
 
 

Re: How to isolate vacuum componets for testing

Posted: 3/22/17 11:03am Message 6 of 10
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Cana, VA - USA
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Vette(s): 1975 Stingray 71 350 engine Flat top pistons Sniper fuel injection Hyperspark ignition Vintage Air air conditioning Borgeson power steering box
cingraham said: Here is a link to you tube from willcox which demostrates how to troubleshoot this problem !



That was a helpful video that clearly explained each component.  Thanks for the link!





   

Re: How to isolate vacuum componets for testing

Posted: 3/22/17 4:15pm Message 7 of 10
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Cana, VA - USA
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Vette(s): 1975 Stingray 71 350 engine Flat top pistons Sniper fuel injection Hyperspark ignition Vintage Air air conditioning Borgeson power steering box
Well, after testing section by section, I don't believe there one big leak, but many small ones.  Since everything works and the only issue I was trying to address was that the system would not hold vacuum as soon as the engine was turned off (I like everything to work as designed), I'm giving up and living with it as is.
Thanks for everyone's input.


   

Re: How to isolate vacuum componets for testing

Posted: 3/22/17 6:42pm Message 8 of 10
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Overland Park, KS - USA
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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. 2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray
Time for a vacuum hose replacement kit?   Wink

|UPDATED|3/22/2017 6:42:14 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|



1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: How to isolate vacuum componets for testing

Posted: 3/22/17 8:34pm Message 9 of 10
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Cana, VA - USA
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Vette(s): 1975 Stingray 71 350 engine Flat top pistons Sniper fuel injection Hyperspark ignition Vintage Air air conditioning Borgeson power steering box
73shark said: Time for a vacuum hose replacement kit?   Wink




Yea, that's on my wish list, but not ready to dive into it yet. . .



   

Re: How to isolate vacuum componets for testing

Posted: 3/23/17 4:13pm Message 10 of 10
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Port St Lucie, FL - USA
Joined: 9/21/2016
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Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary L 82 4 speed 66,000 miles just starting process of verifying originality so far mufflers aren't original but pipes are.
If you go on Eckler Corvettes site and look up the vacuum hose kit they have a PDF that you can open and it shows the complete system from the head lite switch all the way to the front
If you go to the following site it has a complete trouble shooting guide hope it helps

 http://www.corvette-101.com/vacuum.htm



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