Troy Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 Found 2 broken vacuum lines an some broken fittings, mostly on the smaller sizes. Anyone know the specs the various sizes used? Green, red, black.. Color doesn't seem like a way to order parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 I don't know the specs, but you can buy vacuum line in bulk at most parts stores. The ones you have are probably 1/8" or 3/16", but take pieces of what you have in and they can sell you several feet off the reel. Vacuum line is sized by the internal diameter, so you can figure out what you have by using drill bits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FoxFord33 Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 When I fix my vacuum lines, I usually get lengths by the foot in the comparable size at the local parts house. I don't worry about the originality. Others on this forum have said that the hard vacuum line sets/kits degrade too quickly for their taste, and the best bet for original-style vacuum lines is to carefully remove them from an actual truck of similar vintage. But if you are not concerned with originality, you can make an "upgraded" vacuum network like I did out of the soft lines (which seem to last longer than the hard plastic). Depending on what's needed, you can make it look really good with some of that corrugated plastic tube wrap and/or electrical tape to hold the lines in place where they need to run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve83 Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 Shop eBay for thick-walled ~3mm silicone tubing: https://supermotors.net/getfile/1090170/thumbnail/siliconevac.jpg Matching the original colors will make your life easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted May 14, 2019 Author Share Posted May 14, 2019 When I fix my vacuum lines, I usually get lengths by the foot in the comparable size at the local parts house. I don't worry about the originality. Others on this forum have said that the hard vacuum line sets/kits degrade too quickly for their taste, and the best bet for original-style vacuum lines is to carefully remove them from an actual truck of similar vintage. But if you are not concerned with originality, you can make an "upgraded" vacuum network like I did out of the soft lines (which seem to last longer than the hard plastic). Depending on what's needed, you can make it look really good with some of that corrugated plastic tube wrap and/or electrical tape to hold the lines in place where they need to run. Salvage could be doable , a friend has an 83 for salvage that I recently took the front crossmember from (mine appeared to be used to tow the vehicle at some point in time, badly and visibly mangled)Â Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 Salvage could be doable , a friend has an 83 for salvage that I recently took the front crossmember from (mine appeared to be used to tow the vehicle at some point in time, badly and visibly mangled) Does that '83 happen to be a 4wd F250 or 350 w/a 460 or diesel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted May 14, 2019 Author Share Posted May 14, 2019 I don't know the specs, but you can buy vacuum line in bulk at most parts stores. The ones you have are probably 1/8" or 3/16", but take pieces of what you have in and they can sell you several feet off the reel. Vacuum line is sized by the internal diameter, so you can figure out what you have by using drill bits. Thanks, that makes sense now that I think about it. The mess of wiring and vacuum lines behind the battery is a sight to behold...looking forward to this now that the whole vacuum system has to be checked . Would you think 5psi (and some soapy water) would be enough to expose the leaks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 Thanks, that makes sense now that I think about it. The mess of wiring and vacuum lines behind the battery is a sight to behold...looking forward to this now that the whole vacuum system has to be checked . Would you think 5psi (and some soapy water) would be enough to expose the leaks? Unless you have a very large compressor, plug the individual lines, or do it in a way I've not grasped, it would be hard to maintain 5 psi in the vacuum system. But, you can do the smoke test, as described here: http://www.garysgaragemahal.com/#nabble-td11511 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted May 14, 2019 Author Share Posted May 14, 2019 Does that '83 happen to be a 4wd F250 or 350 w/a 460 or diesel? 2wd 150, 300/6...couldn't be farther away from the desirable .Bottom end went on the motor. Except for the motor and cab corners, its actually salvageable. I sent him a link to the site, it's his father's truck from New, he bought a 85 f250 garage queen, I know he'd like to see the broken one go to someone who would do something with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 2wd 150, 300/6...couldn't be farther away from the desirable .Bottom end went on the motor. Except for the motor and cab corners, its actually salvageable. I sent him a link to the site, it's his father's truck from New, he bought a 85 f250 garage queen, I know he'd like to see the broken one go to someone who would do something with it. That would be cool, but it can't be me. I'm looking for something quite different for the engine cross member. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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