looking for vacuum sorce
 

Hi I'm looking for ideas for a vacuum sorce. My 73 had manual brakes, and I saw a deal on craigs for a power booster and master cyl. I got the new set up installed with only a little more than the usual amount of fowl language, good thing I have no close neighbors. anyway I couldn't find a vacuum source on the carb or manifold to hook to, so I had the brainstorm of splitting the line from the carb to the valve cover with a 't' fitting. I've not been able to try it out yet but have slept since then and am thinking that this may not work as the vacuum won't pull to both spots, just the one with least resistence, wich is probably the valve cover. what do you all think? the truck has a stock 250 six with a stock rochester 1 barrell carb. thanks bob

Re: looking for vacuum sorce
 

The small blocks use a fitting in the intake to provide intake vacuum. Is there a plug of some type on the 6 cylinder intake you could put a fitting into?

Re: looking for vacuum sorce
 

The vacuum will have to come from the manifold. Isert a fitting into it behind the carb. Don't forget the check valve.

Re: looking for vacuum sorce
 

thanks guys, what kind of a check valve is it, and where might I find it. I've looked around the carb and manifold for something I could use and nothing is jumping out at me, but I'll look some more, thanks bob

Re: looking for vacuum sorce
 

Do you have a PCV system? As in, a 3/8" hose that comes off the valve cover and goes to the base of the carb? Get rid of that, and there's your vacuum source. Insert a breather in the manifold vent, and call it a day.

Re: looking for vacuum sorce
 

thanks Ivan, thats exactly what I've got. I didn't know I did not need the hose to the valve cover, can I find the breather at any part store? thanks again bob

Re: looking for vacuum sorce
 

Exactly what Ivan said, do away with the pcv. And yes any parts store should have a small breather. Most are chrome and around 8-10 bucks.

Re: looking for vacuum sorce
 

Well ideally you wanna keep the PCV as it cleans your engine pretty good, but a breather will work too, especially if you ain't got lots of blow-by. And yes, a breather can be had at any parts store, just make sure you get the right one for the hole you got in the valve cover.

Re: looking for vacuum sorce
 

thanks everyone I'm on it bob

Re: looking for vacuum sorce
 

Tyjoja: 73 came with power brakes as well as manual brakes. When engines are built they are equiped to service both systems, IE, manual or power. Look on the intake and you will eventually find a plug. It will have a square drive top and will probably be 1\2 " or 3\8" NPT (national pipe thread) unscrew the plug and find some brass fitting to attach your booster hose to. NAPA should have the fitting required. Jim

Re: looking for vacuum sorce
 

Thanks jim I will look some more, I would think there should be something, I just have to find it. thanks again everyone, bob

Re: looking for vacuum sorce
 

Is the intake aluminum tho? If it is and you do find that plug be really careful when removing it, you don't wanna crack the silly thing - actually if it were my truck I'd probably not mess with it at all, but that's just me. In any case, keep an eye out for cracks around the plug.