When I did mine the crossover tube at the back of the heads was rusted off. I unbolted the plate for the tube from the back of the head, cut the tube off flush, then just turned the plate around to bolt the solid side to the head. Block off already made, nothing to build. Think I used a little high temp RTV to seal it.

 

That's just it though. Air pumps love to seize up and leave you stranded with a busted belt, so most of us ditch it and clear out that mess of plumbing at the same time.

 

Great idea! Thanks. Now that's what I'm gonna do.

Pros- engine bay looks wayy better and much easier to work on it ,no more risk of the pump seizing up, less popping on deceleration, and the exhaust smell reminds me of an old carbed truck.

Cons- none!

Tanner

 

Does anyone know the new belt size for a 90 302 after pump removal? Gonna start cleaning mine up this weekend. Just got two new exhaust manifolds and gettin rid of the cats, figured might as well knock this out at the same time.
Thx

 

Looking to do this on my 4.9. Theres 6 holes in the head from this smog pump and they leak like crazy so its all getting wacked out.

ALSO if you remove the air pump to the cat YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE CAT. The air pumped in allows the exhaust to burn hotter for emissions. Without this the cats will clog up pretty fast (granted they are still in good condition)

 

You are almost right. The pump only puts air to the cat on startup. Once the engine warms up, the air diverter valve sends it to atmosphere. The cat will do its job just fine without it.