Vacuum Tank Removal

[Craig H.]

Hi

Is it possible to remove or fit a vacuum tank in a 71 with Power brakes without removing the brake master cylinder ?

My 71 does not have one and I want to add it.

Craig

[Curt S.]

Re: Vacuum Tank Removal

I just finished restoring a 69 big block.It needed repair on the tank and it was a power brake car.Unfortunately,I did not test the tank until the engine was reinstalled.I was unable to remove my tank until the master cylinder and booster were out. The booster removal is a character building process one of the toughest known to me on Corvettes. I will automatically check the tank anytime the engine is out of any of my68-72 cars. Your car may be easier if it is a small block. I am not trying to discourage,but save a little more time it is not as easy as it looks. Good Luck.

[Jim T.]

Re: Vacuum Tank Removal

Have not tried it, is the vacuum tank small enough to remove through the removable side vent?

[Craig H.]

Re: Vacuum Tank Removal

Well there was nothing there when I got the car and I have built one that works fairly well but i would have liked the proper one at some stage.

I may have to wait till I need to replace the master cylinder and booster :-)

Thanks for your comments.

Craig

[Joseph K.]

Re: Vacuum Tank Removal

There is a removable panel at the bottom of the fender that tank may fit through. You may want to measure the tank and the cavity to see if it will it through.

Joe

[Craig H.]

Re: Vacuum Tank Removal

I had another thought.

What about removing the lower shield then cutting part of the inner guard/wheel well out (where it and the charcoal canister attaches) to allow it to go in, then glassing it back ?

Is that feasible ?

[Alan S.]

Re: Vacuum Tank Removal

Hi Craig,
The tank is quite a problem to get in and out. Besides the bulk of the tank itself, the 3 legs that are used as mounting points make for quite a large 'package' to move into place.
I think you might be surprised how much fiberglass needs to be cut to drop the tank straight down or into the wheel well.
On a car with std. brakes the master cylinder can be released from the firewall and pivoted enough to get the tank in and out, but not with the pb unit.
I believe I'd wait until some work was being done on the brakes that would allow the booster to come off.
Regards,
Alan

[Larry M.]

Re: Vacuum Tank Removal

Craig,

Just out of curiosity, how do your headlights and wiper door operate without a vacuum tank? Or are they plumbed directly into engine vacuum, so they only operate while the engine is running?

Larry

[Craig H.]

Re: Vacuum Tank Removal

Craig,

Just out of curiosity, how do your headlights and wiper door operate without a vacuum tank? Or are they plumbed directly into engine vacuum, so they only operate while the engine is running?

Larry

Hi Larry

When I got the car they seemed to operate ok as there was vacuum available while it was running.

Did not even realize it was missing as this is my first vette and its not like there are lots around to look at here in Australia when you want to compare.

Since then I have fabricated a tank that works ok and smooths out the operation of lights and wiper door.

Have a look here -

http://www.australiancorvettes.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6326&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=90

Since I have almost finished under the bonnet and replaced all vacuum hoses etc etc I decided to revisit the original style tank.

I have picked one up and it being shipped to Australia.

When it arrives i will do all the measurement and determine if I can get it in from below with a bit of fiberglass surgery to the inner guard.

Brutal yes but may be easier in the long run.

Craig

[Larry M.]

Re: Vacuum Tank Removal

Craig,

Thanks for the link. Very clever fabrication work; looks very good.

I'd like to refinish my vacuum tank; but I've never removed the power booster, and I'm just not motivated enough to tackle that job anytime soon.

Larry

[Richard D.]

Re: Vacuum Tank Removal

I had another thought.

What about removing the lower shield then cutting part of the inner guard/wheel well out (where it and the charcoal canister attaches) to allow it to go in, then glassing it back ?

Is that feasible ?

I did that for my 68. If the tank is the same size, that should work for you also.

[Justin S.]

Re: Vacuum Tank Removal

My body is currently off the frame and placed on a dolly.
I need to replace my vacuum tank and was wondering if it would come out from underneath if I lift the body off of the dolly?
Is it advisable to rest the body on jack stands?

[Larry M.]

Re: Vacuum Tank Removal

Justin,

I don't know for certain, but I don't think the tank can be removed from below. It looks like there would be interference from the engine and forward lamp wiring harnesses at the bulkhead connector.

Coincidentally enough, post # 10 in this thread is from me, 9 years ago; it was just last week that I removed my power booster and then pulled the vacuum tank. So with it out of the way, looking down where it had been mounted, that's where I see the possible hang-up with the harnesses.

Larry

[Justin S.]

Re: Vacuum Tank Removal

Larry,
My body is off the frame so no engine interference. Would the harness still prevent it from being removed?
Also was wondering if the body can be set on jack stands?

[Craig H.]

Re: Vacuum Tank Removal

I also added mime last year as well. My brake booster had failed so I had it and the master cylinder out. Was still a pain given the 3 legs. I had it in and out a few times to determine mounting points, paint etc.

I sort of rotated it in from above each time.

There is not a lot of free space in there with evap canister etc.