Hi guys,

I’m completely newb on the forum and newb in the truck/mechanic world.
I just bought a 1981 F150 Custom 300 I6 and for my first post, I’ve a stupid question that I’m kinda ashamed to ask but:

What is this “look like a alternator/pump” component under the hood ? There is no belt on the pulley and it’s in my way to the alternator…
Is it the smog /emission pump necessary for certain state ?

I live in Virginia and we don’t have such requirement, is it possible to remove it or will it mess with the global operation / setting of the truck ?

Thanks guys

 

need a pic, could be the A/C compressor

 

Over top of the alternator would be the smog pump. Depending where you live in VA, there may/may not be emissions inspections, but the emissions components are required to be there and functional to pass the visual inspection that is part of the state safety inspection. Whether or not you have a friend at the inspection station is another thing.

 

The SMOG pump ok !
I registered it as antique, and the DMV told me that it didn't need to be inspected.
So what about removing it ? It'll give me more room in the compartment (there is already a lot but ...)

 

yup, smog pump

 

A word of wisdom, VA is beginning to crack down on people driving antique tagged vehicles as daily's. It's not like MD.

https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/#antique.asp

As far as removing it, it won't give you much more, but you have the plumbing etc to deal with. Capping everything off etc.

 

I'm not sure about the straight 6, but on V8 models, the air pump also helps cool the exhaust valves. Follow the output lines to see exactly where the fresh air is dumped into the exhaust. If via an passage in the cylinder head, I'm pretty sure that's for the exhaust valves. If the engineers only wanted to dump fresh air into the exhaust (this helps ignite any unburned fuel before it exits the exhaust system), they could have easily done this via the exhaust manifold or exhaust pipe. If the designers went to all the extra trouble to put an air passage in the cylinder head, your exhaust valves will thank you if you reconnect it.

 

This is the difference between 'early' &'late' heads (Air In Manifold vs Air In Head)
'81 was WAY before fuel injection and AIH!
It's not going to make a bit of difference if you lose the pump, but you will need to figure out the belts.

 

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Thank you guys for all your details.

ArdWrknTrk, actually the pump is not even used. There is no belt on it. That’s mainly why I asked about it. Should I’ve a belt on it ??

kr98664, the output lines go to the intake manifold (I'm not sure of the English term sorry...), right under the carburetor.
The output of the pump match the diagram that NumberDummy posted. But the diagram doesn’t match for the C and D section. Or is it how is shown the intake manifold ?

I feel like this device blast more air/oxygen in the admission and now I’m wondering if I need this pump or not…?? Is it a device to introduce more air, improve the combustion and so control the emissions?

My options are:
• To let it as it is and struggling a little bit to change the alternator
• To put a belt on it (if this part will improve anything) ? From the picture it seems that there is an empty notch for it on the main distribution pulley
• To remove it and cap the corresponding inputs in the intake manifold ?

What would you advise ?

Thanks guy. This truck get me really interested in mechanic and more I read about it more I want to know