Vacuum Hookup
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Joined: Aug 2003
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Vacuum Hookup
The V10 in the E450 has no instrumentation that shows engine performance. I'm also installing a tach. The vacuum gage will help me to relatively see how much power is being developed so I'm aware of when to take my foot out it for better economy. The vacuum gage is useful for early warning if there is a problem starting to occur, i.e. your used to seeing a given vacuum for a given speed and rpm under similar driving conditions and then there is a change that's undectable until the problem becomes one that shuts you down in an inconvienent location. It's difficult to know when you're having step on the gas just a little more to achieve the same speed. To sum it up, it's all about information, albiet relative. Hope that helps you understand my motivation a little bit more.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Fayetteville (Atlanta) GA
Vacuum Hookup
I have also thought about installing a vacuum gauge on my truck. They can be used for engine troubleshooting, and do give an indication of how hard the engine is working. I did find a vacuum line going directly into one of the upper intake runners. It is located on the right side of the engine towards the rear, near the schrader valve on the right fuel rail. You will see a red line attached to it. Have not really done the research to see if this is the best place to connect a gauge.
Keep us posted on your research......
Mark
Keep us posted on your research......
Mark
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Vacuum Hookup
Installed the vacuum gage and tee'd into a line that came off a 3 line manifold that is screwed into the intake. Works great! Drawing 20.5 inches at idle. My first trip down the road quickly made me aware of just how heavy footed I've become. I know remember to drive like I've got an egg under my foot and should depress the gas pedal a little more softly. The gage doesn't lie and if you use one you'll definitely change your driving habits, plus you'll be alerted to problems as they start to develop.
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Vacuum Hookup
Where did you install the actual gage? Any recommendations on what kind of vacuum gage to purchase? Also you said you are installing a tach, I thought they were standard equipment.
Thanks
Thanks
Last edited by WhooperStomp; Aug 23, 2003 at 10:18 PM.
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Vacuum Hookup
I installed the vacuum gage on the left side of the steering column. I screwed the mounting plate throught the plastic housing. The mounting plate is concave and it matched the curve in the top left side of the steering column housing. There are 3 screws through the bottom half of the housing cover. Once you have removed the bottom, you can see the plastic molded into the top half that accepts the one of the screws that secures the housing halfs. The mounting plate holes are spaced such that you can drill a hole on each side of the molded plastic for the housing screw. Might sound complicated, but you'll easily see what I'm saying once you separate the housing halfs. I purchase an Autometer Model 2885. www.autometer.com/ Look on page 37 of their on-line catalog. Ford, in their infinite wisdom saw fit to not install tachs on the E450 chassis used for RVs. 'Nuf said about their "Wisdom"!!!!! Hope that answers your questions.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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Vacuum Hookup
Thanks for the info Tigerflyer, appreciate the good thorough answers!
Where fuel economy is the issue, I guess the objective is to try and keep the vacuum pressure from moving as much as possible, ie: big swings on the gage correlate to a heavy foot?
Where fuel economy is the issue, I guess the objective is to try and keep the vacuum pressure from moving as much as possible, ie: big swings on the gage correlate to a heavy foot?
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
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From: Long Beach, Ms.
Vacuum Hookup
I installed a Autometer 2610 Z-series on my E-350SD last Sunday. I used the vacume line that goes to the heater box on the passenger side firewall. By replacing the existing connector located in the line with a T- fitting I was able to access the vac system. The use of a L connector and an extra 3' of hard line added to the provided line via a straight connection gave me a clean appearing install. Access to the interior is through the firewall where the hood release cable passes. This install took about 15 minutes. The guage is to be mounted in an A-pillar pod if it ever arrives from that bunch at TPC.
Last edited by shorebird; Sep 3, 2003 at 09:56 AM.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
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From: Long Beach, Ms.
Here is the gauge in the pillar pod along with a Transmission temperature gauge above it.
The Equus Tach is mounted on its' own mount.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Someone found this old post about connecting a vacuum gauge today, some six years after my "how to" post about it.
The Equus Tach is mounted on its' own mount.
[IMG]
[/IMG]Someone found this old post about connecting a vacuum gauge today, some six years after my "how to" post about it.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,537
Likes: 27
From: Long Beach, Ms.
The pod was mounted shortly after the post about me awaiting it.
Bigzrib repped me yesterday for the '03 "how to" post prompting me to follow up with the pic.
I posted the pic, somewhere in FTE, originally on February 3rd 2004.
Bigzrib repped me yesterday for the '03 "how to" post prompting me to follow up with the pic.
I posted the pic, somewhere in FTE, originally on February 3rd 2004.
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