1969 L46 Diverter Valve

[Lawrence M.]

Should the diverter valve hold a vacuum? I hooked my Mighty Vac up to the vacumm port and the valve will not build any vacuum much less hold any. Is my diverter valve shot? The shop manual does not show a vacuum test of the diverter valve except to check that vacuum is supplied by the carb.

larry

[John H.]

Re: 1969 L46 Diverter Valve

Should the diverter valve hold a vacuum? I hooked my Mighty Vac up to the vacumm port and the valve will not build any vacuum much less hold any. Is my diverter valve shot? The shop manual does not show a vacuum test of the diverter valve except to check that vacuum is supplied by the carb.

larry

Larry -

Yes, it should hold a vacuum. The diaphragm has failed, which is normal for a 40-year-old diverter valve. That also results in a continuous vacuum leak, so plug the signal hose from the carb until you replace it.

The valve is designed to go full open when the diaphragm fails, so the pump is supplying air to the manifold trees all the time now, which usually results in "afterfiring" or "pops" from the exhaust pipes on overrun.

Bill Hodel will probably have a corrrect and functioning replacement, but be sitting down when he quotes a price.

[Lawrence M.]

Re: 1969 L46 Diverter Valve

Thanks John. I have not heard the poping, which I remember from back in the 70's on several of my cars. I do have a vacuum leak, so maybe this is it.
I searched the archives on the AIR system and have been thinking about removing the vanes from the pump. Are they easy to get out or do they have to be pressed out?

Larry

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 L46 Diverter Valve

Thanks John. I have not heard the poping, which I remember from back in the 70's on several of my cars. I do have a vacuum leak, so maybe this is it.
I searched the archives on the AIR system and have been thinking about removing the vanes from the pump. Are they easy to get out or do they have to be pressed out?

Larry

Larry-----


The vanes can be removed without a press. However, I think you'll be much better off having Bill Hodel rebuild your diverter valve and keeping the AIR system functional. Given that you have a valve, albeit disfunctional, you don't need the whole thing. If one needs the whole thing, that's when it gets real expensive.

[Lawrence M.]

Re: 1969 L46 Diverter Valve

Thanks for that info Joe. After thinking it over I think I will get the diverter fixed. It is a top flight car and I would like to keep everything operational.

Larry