Help, Vacuum Lines

[Nodakr68]

So I have checked out some of the other topics already discussed, and seems like the previous owner MIGHT have changed some things up, so with my photos and description, I hope that somebody can help me identify what I have going on, and how I may simplify it further.

Photo #1:
PURPLE, 2 vacuum lines off the thermostat housing. One goes to the Power Acutuator for the Exhaust Heat Valve, Second one goes to a "T" with one side going to the base of the carb, and the other to a 2-wired switch (See Third Photo), possibly Throttle Valve ??
RED, is 2 more vacuum lines coming from the front of the intake, just below the thermostat housing. Both go back to a weird check valve of some sort, and then a single vacuum line comes from that and goes to the distributor (See Second Photo)

Photo #2:
GREEN, is the check valve, leading to the base of the distributor

Photo #3:
BLUE, is the 2-wire switch (possibly throttle valve ?) with the vacuum line that comes off the carb and the thermostat housing (

Photo #4:
Just a revisit of the other photos, from a different angle
PURPLE, is the two vacuum lines off the thermostat housing, that go to the Power Actuator for the exhaust heat valve, and to......
BLUE, the 2-wire switch for ?

QUESTIONS:
I would like to go to a normal thermostat housing with a temp sensor mount, can those two vacuum lines be pulled from somewhere else ??
The Hvac Vacuum Reservoir pulls vacuum from the back of the carb, off the intake, could that vacuum be pulled from somewhere else also ? Couold either be pulled off the carb base ?

Thank in advance for any help !!

 

[Ricko1966]

You should have a vacuum diaghram on the radiator support,it will tell you everything you need to know. And no you can't really relocate your thermo vacuum switches. They are where they are at so they do what they do at the right times. The closed thermostat keeps the thermo vacuum switches reading that the car is stone cold,until the water gets hot enough to open the thermostat and switch to engine is warmed up mode.

 

[Nodakr68]

Nope, no diagram present, just like the paint code stickers are gone. Long n short is Dont know what all the vacuum crap is…..could somebody please tell me what each circle color is, and what it does ? If “Blue” is indeed a thermo switch, where fo the 2 wires go ?

ALSO, this is a 1981 Scottsdale with a 454 and I can NOT find the temp sensor !! Is it integrated into one of the areas I circled ? Because it’s not mounted by the distributor or anywhere on the block….I’m starting to think the reason my temp guage ain’t working, is because there is no sending unit or was left out…..the search continues. Hence why I was asking about installining a more traditional thermostat housing…

 

[Ricko1966]

Nope, no diagram present, just like the paint code stickers are gone. Long n short is Dont know what all the vacuum crap is…..could somebody please tell me what each circle color is, and what it does ? If “Blue” is indeed a thermo switch, where fo the 2 wires go ?

ALSO, this is a 1981 Scottsdale with a 454 and I can NOT find the temp sensor !! Is it integrated into one of the areas I circled ? Because it’s not mounted by the distributor or anywhere on the block….I’m starting to think the reason my temp guage ain’t working, is because there is no sending unit or was left out…..the search continues. Hence why I was asking about installining a more traditional thermostat housing…

Did you look for a temp sender on the cylinder heads between 2 of the exhaust ports? Temp sender is screwed into head or intake manifold,not the thermostat housing

 

[Ricko1966]

Purple is EFE it sounds like it's hooked up correctly.

 

[Nodakr68]

I know its not in the thermostat housing, I simply said thats where I would like it to be if possible. No It is not between any if the exhaust oorts, or any other typical locations, or I wouldn’t be asking. I just wasn’t sure if there were any rarer more bscure possibilities. It’s really frustrating when a previous owner has made changes.

 

[Ricko1966]

Here's where it should be,if its not there that would be an easy place to put it.

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[Nodakr68]

YES !! Thank You !! Now that image is a bit different than the one in my manual, but my oil pressure sender is mounted in the forward location just like your image showed.....so I went back for the 300th time and looked where it was showing the temp sensor. And low n behold it has been staring at me the whole time, only it was covered with cooked on residue from a previous motor fire from one of the previous owners (there must of been, the inside of the hood is sooty black). Also explains why there was no wire present and why I had no temp gauge reading.

You have no idea what a relief this is, not gonna lie I feel kinda dumb for overlooking this soooo many times, but it was baked over. This is why I love these forums, sometimes it is hard relaying the obvious when you are not a motorhead, but you guys show patience and share great info. This image was perfect, when the one in my manual was a bit more confusing. So thank you again !!!!

PS. Can any of the vacuum lines be deleted ? Or are they all still needed even though I am in South Dakota and have no strict emissions rules?

 

[Ricko1966]

YES !! Thank You !! Now that image is a bit different than the one in my manual, but my oil pressure sender is mounted in the forward location just like your image showed.....so I went back for the 300th time and looked where it was showing the temp sensor. And low n behold it has been staring at me the whole time, only it was covered with cooked on residue from a previous motor fire from one of the previous owners (there must of been, the inside of the hood is sooty black). Also explains why there was no wire present and why I had no temp gauge reading.

You have no idea what a relief this is, not gonna lie I feel kinda dumb for overlooking this soooo many times, but it was baked over. This is why I love these forums, sometimes it is hard relaying the obvious when you are not a motorhead, but you guys show patience and share great info. This image was perfect, when the one in my manual was a bit more confusing. So thank you again !!!!

PS. Can any of the vacuum lines be deleted ? Or are they all still needed even though I am in South Dakota and have no strict emissions rules?

All states have emissions laws,the emissions laws are federal laws not state laws. You just don't have any testing in your state for now,so your chances of being caught are low. As for deleting vacuum lines, a lot of the things the GP think of as emissions devices also were part of meeting fuel economy standards or preventing detonation etc Sure you can remove all the vacuum lines the truck may not run right or get worse milage,sacrifice some engine life, Contaminate your fuel. Think about this for a minute. Pre emissions era people started getting rid of their cars around 70k miles. Most were worn out and needed rebuilt by 100k. And gas milage,who cares,back then 5mpg was acceptable heck its a truck. Rather than modifying things that aren't hurting you ar your truck,for now anyways,you should concentrate.on taking care of things that are going to hurt your truck. It's probably a good time to at least check the timing chain, if it hasn't been changed that you know of,you should probably just change it. If you wait until it fails you have real good odds you are going to do serious engine damage.

 

[Turbo4whl]

PS. Can any of the vacuum lines be deleted ? Or are they all still needed even though I am in South Dakota and have no strict emissions rules?

Fuel injection eliminated many vacuum controls

Not the exact year, but this is mostly correct. From a 1984 454, since you have a 1981 may be slightly different.

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Shows two thermal vacuum switches. I am not seeing a Quadrajet, is that an Edelbrock?

 

[xm20k]

That is an Eddy so a vacuum diagram won't translate.

Can tell by the 2 idle air screws and bit of decal in the red circle also that bolt (orange arrow) being 1/4" in the breeze probably not helping and is probably a vacuum leak.

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[Nodakr68]

That is an Eddy so a vacuum diagram won't translate.

Can tell by the 2 idle air screws and bit of decal in the red circle also that bolt (orange arrow) being 1/4" in the breeze probably not helping and is probably a vacuum leak.

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Those carb base mount bolts are loose on purpose....I needed to loosen them to lift the carb enough to remove the valve covers to replace the valve cover gaskets. There were no lock washers installed from previous, and literally just picked those up today. So they are known and not of concern, but thanks for the incredible eye for detail !!

 

[saltdog]

The blue one is the TCS solenoid GM 1997479 https://www.ebay.com/itm/326166939571 "A TCS solenoid, or Transmission Controlled Spark solenoid, is an emissions control device introduced in 1970 that regulates vacuum advance to the distributor based on engine temperature and transmission gear position. It prevents full vacuum advance in lower forward gears and when the engine is cold, helping reduce exhaust emissions by limiting ignition timing under certain conditions. The solenoid receives an electrical signal from a temperature-sensing switch and a transmission switch, which together determine when to block vacuum flow to the distributor's vacuum advance unit. Typically mounted on the intake manifold near the carburetor, it features multiple vacuum ports and electrical connections, with the system designed to allow full vacuum advance only when the engine is at operating temperature and in high gear."

 

[Jimbarry]

Thanks Turbo, that's the closest diagram to an 83 C30 454 I've been able to find so far, might work for me in Ca.

 

[Ricko1966]

Thanks Turbo, that's the closest to an 83 C30 454 I've been able to find so far, might work for me in Ca.

Is this a California emissions vehicle? That typically changes a lot of things.