i just took my egr off and the valve still moves with vacuum but is not completely sealed when shut. Is this normal? Should I be able to blow air from one port to the other with very low force or is the valve bad?

if I do need a new one, how do I tell which one I need? Everyone seems to have 5 or 6 choices with no explaination as to which one works.

77 f100, 302, 4 speed manual, fed emissions, no a/c

 

It should seal. You can try cleaning it to see if you can get it to seal, but if metal parts of the valve and seat are eroded and gone, then it's time for a new one.

 

If you want the exact correct one that you will know will work for your calibration and setup, look at the ones that NumberDummy posted in your other thread. If those turn out to be too expensive, get one from Autozone that is manual and fed.

 

Sorry, I forgot that numberdummy already gave me those. I may just JBWeld the sucker shut for now so it looks like it is hooked up.
It has been a long day. I replaced the intake manifold and the valve cover gaskets which were leaking really badly.

 

A stuck open EGR valve will cause problems, and a closed EGR valve will cause problems.

I understand the frustrations, take the night off from working on it. Is there a reason that you need to get this all back together?
In all reality, 99% of the smog techs wont know what to look for as far as smog equipment. They won't remove your air cleaner, or check to see if it seals.

I passed Ca smog with my vacuum lines hooked up wrong, my egr was clogged, my distributor wires crumbling. All I did was rebuild the carb, set the timing, oil change, plugs, wires, cap n rotor. I also paid $100 for the guy to take the time to smog it, as we adjusted it until it passed. And I did an initial test, went home made changes and then went back within 7 days for a retest.

I removed my heads and did the stem seals and lifters AFTER I passed smog.

Forget changing the heads, just get it to run, then make improvements from there, then go get it smogged!!

I posted a list for your year of what they will look for, beyond that they wont know or dont care. Your vacuum hose routing is not checked, it is just looked at that there are no unplugged hoses.

Turn your head and cough, it is easy as that.

 

Much better morning. I used a Burger King straw to slide over the oil pump shaft and fish it out. Got it back in place and the engine put back together. It now idles somewhat lone it should. Need to get a timing light and set that now.

 

Excellent trick! You da man!!!