1983 E250 Vacuum Mess
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From: La Habra, CA
1983 E250 Vacuum Mess
Hi I have a 1983 E250 I just bought and its a mess and to make things worse I live in Southern California and it will need to pass smog. The problem is that PO had no clue what he was doing wrong and ripped out all the vacuum lines and capped off the ports. My question is were do they all go he gave me a box off all the stuff he took off I have been spending hours looking for diagrams on were it all goes but there meant for people that no all the terms can anyone help out with any pictures or routings that will get the van back and going again and I got no idea if the carb on it is the right one either he also gave me another one to thank you for any help.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Northeast, OK
I think it is going to be very difficult to put everything back and get it to pass the smog test. But if you have the experience and the determination then it may be able to be done. The first thing that will be required is a set of the factory shop manuals. The second thing will be the book called Electrical and Vacuum Troubleshooting Manual, which describes each of the systems by themselves with simplified diagrams. I have both of those for my 81's, but things were quite different by 83 so they won't suffice for you as you must have the ones for 83's.
But even with the needed experience and determination this might be an expensive and exasperating venture. A large part of that is because so few of those vehicles remain on the road with the emissions systems intact that few people make or sell the parts. And there are parts in the systems that die naturally, like the tubes or pipes for the AIR system. So if what is in the box isn't serviceable, and it probably isn't or it wouldn't have been taken off, then finding replacements may be difficult.
So, why did you buy this vehicle?
But even with the needed experience and determination this might be an expensive and exasperating venture. A large part of that is because so few of those vehicles remain on the road with the emissions systems intact that few people make or sell the parts. And there are parts in the systems that die naturally, like the tubes or pipes for the AIR system. So if what is in the box isn't serviceable, and it probably isn't or it wouldn't have been taken off, then finding replacements may be difficult.
So, why did you buy this vehicle?
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From: La Habra, CA
I bought the van because it's a 4x4 and I have a 89 E350 I wanted to convert to 4x4 but found out the stuff on the 83 is not what I'm looking for. So I wanted to get the old van up and running and plate it to try and sell it as a running driving street legal van it runs now but I no for sure it will not pass I just have no idea what to do all I really want is to drive it for a bit and sell
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From: La Habra, CA
I really just want to pass the visual test so I want to get the air cleaner all hooked up right and the pre heater as well the po before me was like nope don't need this and diffenitly not this 
so ya it's been treated bad over the years
so ya it's been treated bad over the years
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From: Northeast, OK
I'm with ayb - sell it elsewhere. But if you are asking about the air cleaner only, it goes like this:
- Vacuum line from manifold vacuum to the temp sensor, which is probably in the lid if the base is aluminum
- Line from the other side of the temp sensor to the cold weather module on the side of the base
- Line from the other side of the cold weather module to the vacuum motor on the snorkel
- Hot air pipe from the stove on the exhaust manifold up to the bottom of the snorkel
- Cold air from the radiator support to the end of the snorkel
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Are you not aware that California law requires seller to provide smog certificate before sale? Do not ever buy any vehicle in California that does not pass a smog test as it will just be an expensive parts car. California puts as much weight on the visual test as the tailpipe test. You may just have to take your van out of state to sell. Good luck.
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From: La Habra, CA
I originally bought that van for parts to build my 89 E350 but the parts on the 83 are not what I no it will pass I just need to get the vacuum lines all settled out I ran a few that I new were they go but theres the rest to the EGR ands the ones off the temp sender off the thermo housing I want to sell it in CA the van is most like a parts van any way its a rusted mess but most people like a running driving car the street legal
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Joined: Jul 2014
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From: La Habra, CA
does any one have some service manual pics or diagrams that they would be able to PM me or email so i can get most of the lines hooked up anything will help me thank you for the help
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Or look on the used-automotive-literature sites for a 1983 truck/van EVTM (an authentic FoMoCo shop manual called the Electrical/Vacuum Troubleshooting Manual) should ost maybe $15-$20 or so.
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