I have a 1979 Ford F-100 super cab, 351M, automatic trans., 2 wheel drive, 2bbl carb, and air conditioning. I just recently had the engine rebuilt to its origional stock specs. There are just way to many vaccum lines on this darn thing. I would like to know which ones I could get rid of. I don't know a whole lot about engines but these are my thoughts 1)the carb itself has at least 6 vaccum openings I was thinking maybe I could get a different 2bbl carb (aftermarket or earlier year) without all of the vaccum lines. 2) replace the egr plate/valve with an approiate sized carb spacer. Those are my thoughts on the subject any others about ridding the engine of vaccum lines would be appreciated.
thanks
brian

 

If the vacuum devices work it is best to keep them that way. Any devices changed or removed will have consequences and may require other changes or adjustments. They can also negatively impact your fuel economy. What I am trying to say here is it is not a simple process of removing components.

 

I had some similar problems with my 1980 351m, i ended up reading through the emissions & PCV sections of my haynes manual. In the begining of each chapter it gave a little history of their function and changes over the years. That helped me understand what purpose each part was for. I ended up not using any of my emissions stuff. But i also had aftermarket carb & intake.

 

I wouldn't remove EGR because you will have what is called EGR ping. You will have to recurve your distributor by means of adjusting the vacuum advance and possibly the advance springs. If you're unlucky enough you'll have to rejet the carb too...too much trouble if your EGR is working properly.

This is just my opinion, but there isn't a point in removing vacuum lines simply because there are too many. You more than likely want to keep them, especially if it's a smogged M-block. And, as the old credo goes, "if it ain't broke..."

 

I agree if you start removing vacuuum lines you will disable your cruise control if you have it because the cruise control servo is run off of the engine vacuum. I learned this when I rebuilt my carb and had a vacuum line that was leaking when I put the carb back on. I would advise against removing any vacuum lines. and besides if you don't work on the truck yourself anyway why worry about how many lines there are.

 

Don't get me wrong, I do work on my own truck. I was just hoping that some one out there would know of a way to get rid of some of the "stuff" cluttering up the engine compartment, to make things a little eaiser to work on. I have replaced the head gaskets on my 94 t-bird so I do know my way around a cluttered engine bay.