Vacuum issue .

Mad4slalom

Well-known user
Where did you insert your vacuum pump ?
How much pressure was the pump creating ?
Could it be higher than what the vacuum system has from the engine
and if so, maybe you overcome the problem with higher vacuum pressure ?

Do you have a C3 service manual ?
If not the oldest this website has is 1982 but should do and is complete service manual download it here :


View attachment 31003
Hi Teamz, I put the pump before the filter and check valve , just replaced the running engine with the vac pump to create vacuum .
 

Mad4slalom

Well-known user
Hi Teamz, I put the pump before the filter and check valve , just replaced the running engine with the vac pump to create vacuum .
I didnt overcome the problem , the problem was exactly the same with the pump as with the engine running. just when I start the engine, the headlights and wiper door open then close once, I presume this is until there is sufficient vacuum , then they work perfectly , Until the next time I start the engine when they open and close once. Baffles me πŸ€―πŸ‘
 

teamzr1

Supporting vendor
Once engine is running a few minutes and if you turn engine off
Then start again, do headlight & wiper doors work correctly or also slow to function
 

Mad4slalom

Well-known user
Once engine is running a few minutes and if you turn engine off
Then start again, do headlight & wiper doors work correctly or also slow to function
As soon as you start again they just open once , (on their own) the passenger light is slower to open and close than the drivers side at this point. Once they have closed and I am driving or am stationary with engine running then they all work normally , not sluggish or uneven and The over ride switches work. They are slightly slower at idle as the motor is cammed . This β€œopening β€œ happens Every time I re start the engine. As I say, two years ago it suddenly fixed itself until now πŸ˜΅β€πŸ’«πŸ‘ thank you for your help and thoughts on this .
 

teamzr1

Supporting vendor
So sounds like you might want to look on the right side actuator and relay valve
You know what the LSA (Lobe separation) is with that 3rd party CAM ?
If too narrow like around 112 LSA or lower, there is very little vacuum for startup and low RPMs

Some of my customers have to go with a larger reserve vacuum tank, esp if power brakes are effected
as this allows more stored vacuum at the low end


act.jpg
 

Mad4slalom

Well-known user
So sounds like you might want to look on the right side actuator and relay valve
You know what the LSA (Lobe separation) is with that 3rd party CAM ?
If too narrow like around 112 LSA or lower, there is very little vacuum for startup and low RPMs

Some of my customers have to go with a larger reserve vacuum tank, esp if power brakes are effected
as this allows more stored vacuum at the low end


View attachment 31004
Thank u teamz I will look up the cam spec in a minute, I wondered if the sluggish passenger side headlamp was a clue but couldnt see how it was linked to the wiper door . I did find another vacuum port on the carb with a perished and leaking rubber cap, have some new caps arriving tomorrow , would that give any running issues or symptoms ? I will check the relay and actuator pipes too , tho these are not 50year old vac pipes, they were all renewed when car was restored , I know that was 12-13 years sgo but the car had only 5k on it and always garaged , all the vac pipes still look brand new just trying to give you as much background as possible. Thanks againπŸ‘
 

teamzr1

Supporting vendor
Sure, any leak for vacuum would affect total vacuum pressure
Right side actuator and relay valve hoses or they themselves might be an issue
Yes, need to know what the LSA of CAM is
 

Mad4slalom

Well-known user
This is the cam fitted , I dont know how mild or wild it is.. I am looking at smoke / fog type vacuum leak testing machine on amazon which may help track down leak. πŸ‘
IMG_0465.jpeg
 

teamzr1

Supporting vendor

LSA at a Glance

Narrower LSA:
  • Moves torque to lower rpm
  • Increases maximum torque
  • Narrow powerband
  • Increase chance of engine knock
  • Increase cranking compression
  • Idle vacuum and quality is reduced
  • Valve overlap increases
  • Decreases piston-to-valve clearance
Wider LSA:
  • Raise torque to higher rpm
  • Reduces maximum torque
  • Broadens powerband
  • Decrease chance of engine knock
  • Decrease cranking compression
  • Idle vacuum and quality is improved
  • Valve overlap decreases
  • Increases piston-to-valve clearance
 

Mad4slalom

Well-known user
What size engine your C3 have ?

Make sure it comes with, or you need to get smoker fluid, or I have used auto tranny fluid as it stinks
and can smell it first when leak is small and harder to first see the smoke

Smoke machines are fairly cheap, many below $100

350 4 bolt (pos truck block) 30 over, 356 cu inch, iron heads , flat top pistons, ali performer manifold and 650 holley double pumper. Engine builder quoted 355-365 bhp @6000 rpm πŸ‘
 

teamzr1

Supporting vendor
Hard to pin down stock C3 CAM specs as so many versions GM had
But seems common LSA was like 114 to 116
So your CAM is 110 and being more narrow would produce less vacuum at low end

C3LSAspec.jpg
 
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