69 Vacuum Reserve Tank
Man this tank is large. Is it possible to remove this tank without removing the Master Cylinder? Mine is attached using 3 different brackets with two bolts each. It is such a tight fit it is blocking access to the Bulkhead Connector plugs which I need to remove and clean connections. Is there an alternative tank available that would be smaller? Is this tank really needed? Mine has not been connected since I have owned this car. Lights have worked ok, but I have been using the manual override for the wiper door.I searched my 69 NCRS Judging Manual and did not see any mention of this tank. Maybe I just overlooked it. Thanks for reading.
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Re: 69 Vaccum Reserve Tank
Hi Thomas,
There's no easy way to get the tank out. It's the tank's 3 mounting 'feet' that make it so awkward.
On a car WITHOUT power brakes the mater cylinder can be un-bolted from the cowl and moved far enough toward the engine to get the tank out.
With power brakes even that doesn't work.
I've heard that a few people have had success dropping it straight down once the splash shield is removed, but I was unable to have any luck going that route. The 'feet' are the problem again.
The tank really is needed if the headlight and wiper door systems are to operate normally for at least one 'cycle' each with the engine not running.
You might want to remove that splash shield to see if you can have the access to the connector you'd like from the bottom.
Regards,
Alan71 Coupe, 350/270, 4 speed
Mason Dixon Chapter
Chapter Top Flight October 2011 -
Re: 69 Vaccum Reserve Tank
Thanks Alan, My car does not have power brakes so I will try moving the Master Cylinder over as you suggested. I remember having this tank out several years ago it looked like someone had stabbed it with a knife blade several times, really strange. A mechanic friend of mine repaired the holes for me, but since I have never used this tank I don't even know if it will hold a vacuum. If these old cars could only talk we would have some interesting stories.Comment
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Re: 69 Vaccum Reserve Tank
Good question Joe. I guess I just like to solve problems. I am really trying to gain more access space to the connectors on the back of the fuse panel and this tank is a problem for me. I will probably repaint it when I get it out. I could not find anything in the NCRS Judging Manual for my car about this tank. Am I looking in the wrong section? I assume this tank is judged and carries some point value. Thanks for your input.Comment
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Re: 69 Vaccum Reserve Tank
I have removed the Master Cylinder completely and also the Clutch Rod and unfastened the Fuse Panel and moved it further inside the car to get the connectors out of the way. I have rotated the tank every which way and still have not been able to get it out from under the fender. It looks like it is still being blocked by the Clutch Rod Lever that attaches to the engine block. Something about my car must be different. Some of the service manuals say it can be removed after removing the master cylinder. My tank looks exactly like the one pictured in the AIM. I am still amazed how little attention this tank gets in some of the service manuals. It is not even mentioned in some when they are talking about the headlight and wiper door vacuum systems. I have a book on Corvette Restoration and it shows the radiator overflow tank and calls it the Vacuum Reserve Tank.Comment
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71 Coupe, 350/270, 4 speed
Mason Dixon Chapter
Chapter Top Flight October 2011Comment
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Re: 69 Vacuum Reserve Tank
Well I got the tank out but I am sure some people will not approve of how I did it. Since I never intend to have my car judged by NCRS for a lot of reasons and it is just a driver which I enjoy driving and working on I will tell you how I did it. I made an access door in the wheel well that I can remove when I need to remove this tank and/or gain easier access to the bulkhead connector when necessary. After removing the tank I could hear tiny pieces of rust inside the tank. I was able to get most of the rust out by shaking the tank back and forth and letting the rust fall out of the two nipples where the rubber hoses connect. This was very time consuming and I can still hear some rust in the tank. My question now is....should I connect this tank with this rust in it? Will the rust move into other parts of my vacuum lines etc. and cause me even more problems? Since I have not used this tank for 15 years maybe I should just forget about using it now. I thought this tank was aluminum and would not rust. Maybe this rust came from the materials that were used when I had the holes repaired in the tank. All thoughts and comments will be appreciated. Please forgive any bad spelling.Comment
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Re: 69 Vacuum Reserve Tank
Thomas-----
Rust in this tank is fairly common. I don't think it will be a problem. However, there is a small, simple filter in the line from the fitting on the intake manifold to the tank. Make sure that yours is installed and in good shape. Also, keep in mind that this is a vacuum tank and not a pressure tank. So, the air flow is INTO the tank, not out of it. The only "out of it" flow is from the from the tank into the engine. The small filter will protect that.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 69 Vacuum Reserve Tank
Thanks Joe, this makes me feel better about connecting the tank. Have a great day.Comment
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