Fuel Pump Vacuum use

Patrick brophy

Senior Member
On my 1957 Thunderbird ,I am eliminating the vacuum windshield wipers and going with the electric type. I feel this does away with just another problem area, as my past use of these things from my youth was not a positive experience to say the least.
Now that I have explained that, do I still need to run the two steel lines that attach to the fuel pump ?
I know the one goes to the intake manifold, and the second would go to the wiper motor.
Now that I now longer need the line to the wiper motor ,would I ,or should I say ,could I just not run the two steel lines, and plug the two fittings coming out of the fuel pump ?
 
The booster on the fuel pump is mostly to help out the wiper motor but the vacuum line from the engine also operates the original hot water control valve for the heater.
You can leave out the two small steel lines and connect the rubber vacuum line that goes thru the firewall directly to the brass vacuum fitting at the left rear of the intake manifold... if you need the heater / defroster controls to work.

Or... leave the two steel lines connected and change the Tee fitting under the dash to a straight connector, just for the heater control.
You'll need to plug the unused side of the Tee fitting or change the Tee to a straight connector in either case (or run a new / longer piece of hose) if you're still using the intake manifold mounted hot water control valve. (photo 4)
 

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or ...

Use a vacuum canister to allow for low intake manifold vacuum periods. You have to have a constant vacuum source/signal to have vacuum accessories work at all times correctly.
 
It appears that I will be buying a hot water control valve.I had no idea there was such a thing. Where is this valve mounted?
The canister you mentioned, where would this be mounted?
Other than the hot water valve,I cannot think of any vacuum run accessories I would run.
 
It appears that I will be buying a hot water control valve.I had no idea there was such a thing. Where is this valve mounted?

The actual valve (18495 on ILL) is mounted on the front of the intake, manifold on the water cross-over runner. The photo above shows it just in front of the carb.

The canister you mentioned, where would this be mounted?

Other than the hot water valve,I cannot think of any vacuum run accessories I would run.


The canister can be mounted almost anywhere. You can place it out of sight if desired.

Read This - https://www.classictbird.com/Manual-Heater-Control-Kit/productinfo/18495MK/
 

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It appears that I will be buying a hot water control valve.I had no idea there was such a thing. Where is this valve mounted?
. . .
Other than the hot water valve,I cannot think of any vacuum run accessories I would run.
The oem style heater valve is mounted on the intake manifold in front of the carburetor. photo 1
The off-shore made replacement heater water control valves are crazy pricey and fail fairly quickly. photo 2

You can use a plain elbow instead, available from some T-Bird suppliers. photos 3 and 4

Except for Power Brakes, there aren't any other manifold vacuum operated accessories in a '57 T-Bird.

After-market kits are available that eliminate the troublesome vacuum operated water valve. Example at this link...
https://www.classictbird.com/Manual-Heater-Control-Kit/productinfo/18495MK/

https://www.classictbird.com/Elbow-Manifold-Water-Outlet-1-Per-car/productinfo/18599M/
.
 

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Except for Power Brakes, there aren't any other manifold vacuum operated accessories in a '57 T-Bird.

POST #2

The booster on the fuel pump is mostly to help out the wiper motor but the vacuum line from the engine also operates the original hot water control valve for the heater.

There went that browser again. Now I am rally confused ... :confused:
 
The actual valve (18495 on ILL) is mounted on the front of the intake, manifold on the water cross-over runner. The photo above shows it just in front of the carb.




The canister can be mounted almost anywhere. You can place it out of sight if desired.

Read This - https://www.classictbird.com/Manual-Heater-Control-Kit/productinfo/18495MK/

Thanks KULTULZ,
I was aware of that valve, but since I have not yet gotten to that stage of the rebuild i was not aware that it operated by vacuum.
I received this car in many pieces, and I am putting a puzzle together piece by piece.
My box of parts had the elbow in it, so I had put that in the intake manifold when I painted it. I think I will go with the manual valve that your illustration shows. That looks much more fail safe.
 
The oem style heater valve is mounted on the intake manifold in front of the carburetor. photo 1
The off-shore made replacement heater water control valves are crazy pricey and fail fairly quickly. photo 2

You can use a plain elbow instead, available from some T-Bird suppliers. photos 3 and 4

Except for Power Brakes, there aren't any other manifold vacuum operated accessories in a '57 T-Bird.

After-market kits are available that eliminate the troublesome vacuum operated water valve. Example at this link...
https://www.classictbird.com/Manual-Heater-Control-Kit/productinfo/18495MK/

https://www.classictbird.com/Elbow-Manifold-Water-Outlet-1-Per-car/productinfo/18599M/
.

Your statement "eliminate the troublesome vacuum operated water valve" says it all.

I had my share,hell I had more then my share of clunkers when I was a "YOUTH".
I can remember the times when it was raining and snowing and those darn vacuum wipers never worked right.I cannot remember having a car with vacuum wipers that ever worked correctly.Used to have to let off on the throttle in order for the wiper to work at all, and then when you stepped on the gas they would stop again. Good times.
Now I just want to flip a switch...........and presto.
 
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