Topic: Carbon Canister / Vapor canister
in Forum: C3 Fuel, Emission Control, and Exhaust Systems
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Hey guys,
I have one question. Pretty odd piece of equiptment here.... Its labled as a carbon canister in the assembly manual... but it the Corvette Central parts catalog its labeld as a Vapor canister. Its some sort of canister ont he driver's side frontfenter that has a lind coming fromt he fuel tank to the top of it... then to the carb... and the PCV vavle. If I did not put any emission controls back ont eh car, do I need this? What the heck does it do? And if I still need it, do I need to replace it after 27 years?
Thanks guys,
-Louis
-LOUIE
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Its an Evperative canister,it pulls fumes from the gas tank,and routes them to the carb to be burned.Thats basically it,Joel will correct me if I,m wrong,yes you should keep it connected ,those fumes have to be collected,and taken care of so they won't collect some where else and go KABOOM
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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Well, Ron, you got it purdy close to right on. It does "collect" the fumes for re-entry into the engine via the carb. It also collects those fumes from the carb when the engine is shut down.
I would leave it all hooked up and functional. It doesn't take any performance away from the engine, and it will actually help with the enviroment. Keeping it working(ie: not plugging the lines) would also keep from having a vaccuum formed in the fuel tank from the fuel pump pumping.
I would leave it all hooked up and functional. It doesn't take any performance away from the engine, and it will actually help with the enviroment. Keeping it working(ie: not plugging the lines) would also keep from having a vaccuum formed in the fuel tank from the fuel pump pumping.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
You might not need to replace the whole canister; at the bottom of it, there's a filter which probably needs a replacement.
When I replace the filter on mine, I first got what would be considered an original filter in specifications, but I couldn't put it in without tearing the whole filter apart. I then got a slightly thicker one which appears to be doing the job just fine.
Gasoline smell could be an indicator of a damped or too dirty filter in need of a replacement.
I could be wrong here, but if the canister does not have physical damage to it, I don't see the charcoal "going bad" so you'll save 100$
I took mine off and left it off. Just more stuff to cluter up the engine compartment. I took the gas cap off and took it apart and removed the small O rings, so it wasn't air tight anymore. Also thought about drilling a hole in the gas cap, but didn't. The gas tank vents just fine and no need to worry about a vacuum. This was just one part of me de-smogging my 74. I also figure a few gas fumes will not hurt the enviorment?
Steve, Lifetime Member #129
74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles,
all original; paint, interior, engine,
split bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.
in Forum: C3 Fuel, Emission Control, and Exhaust Systems
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