1970 -1972 ECS or TCS Steel Vacuum Tube

[Monte M.]

The ECS and TCS had a number of vacuum tubes. One of these tubes was typically steel. My car is a 1972, 454, 4-speed and has the TCS.

The steel vacuum line comes from the actual TCS switch and goes toward the front on the passenger side of the engine. It goes into a short length of rubber hose and then into a “T”.

The one that originally came on my car has a bevel about an inch from each end to prevent the hose from sliding on too far. You can see the bevel in the tube that is in the picture. The tube in the picture is too short, but will do until I find the right one. I think it is originally off a small block.

I know there are a few wrong parts in this picture. A lot of the original stuff is still on the car. The carburetor is off a 1972, 350 automatic. I am still looking for the original carburetor for the 454 along with the steel vacuum line.

Anyway, Do most of the other years and engines have this bevel on the ends of the tube as well?

Does anybody know the length of the original steel tube on the LS-5 for 1972.


1972 454 TCS Steel Tube.jpg

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 -1972 ECS or TCS Steel Vacuum Tube

Yes, most of the steel vacuum tubes on ALL GM cars of the era -- including the vacuum line to the modulator on TH400 -- have that stop bead. The TH400 tube works a little differently than the ones you show, however.

There is a hydraulic tube flaring device that will also make that stop bead, but it is rather pricey unless you are going to go into the business of making those tubes. That might be a small business opportunity for someone as there seems to be a lot of people posting on this board who need those tubes.

[Dave S.]

Re: 1970 -1972 ECS or TCS Steel Vacuum Tube

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Monte,
I looked everywhere for that tube when I had my 70 LS-5 car without any success. Finally I took the graphic illustration in Dr. Rebuild's catalog and made one that resembled it from a brake line. No bevel but it looked pretty good and even passed flight judging.

[Bill C.]

Re: 1970 -1972 ECS or TCS Steel Vacuum Tube

here is a closeup picture of my original from the 72 (454 4spd)bill

[Monte M.]

Re: 1970 -1972 ECS or TCS Steel Vacuum Tube

Terry,
I have made a tool to make the bead. It is very primitive and labor intensive for such a small return. If you know where to get a tool to make the bead the way it is supposed to be, can you PM me with the information.

If you do not know off hand, I can look it up myself.

Monte

[Monte M.]

Re: 1970 -1972 ECS or TCS Steel Vacuum Tube

Bill,
I still have the one you sold me. I am going to see what I can do about making a better one. One with a bead if this all works out.
Thanks for the pictures though.
Do you by chance know the length. Is the one you sold me the same length as the priginal, or ar you not sure?
Monte

[Monte M.]

Re: 1970 -1972 ECS or TCS Steel Vacuum Tube

Terry,

You mentioning a tool made me go back to the internet and take another look. the first time I looked, I did not see anything small enough, or deep enough. This time however I did see enough to have a go at another tool.

After seeing the die, I ran out and milled one up real quick. I need to make a better outside die, but the biggest problem I had was the thickness of the tubing I was using.

With this new die, if I can find the right tubing, thinner wall that what I have, it just might work.

Thanks for the input. I will post one as soon as I get some thinner wall tubing.

Monte

[Bill C.]

Re: 1970 -1972 ECS or TCS Steel Vacuum Tube

Monte,

The one I sold to you is an exact copy of the original. Same length.

I took the one in the picture and had it pattern bent at a shop that makes custom tubes for fuel and brake.
If I am not mistaken - it has the flared/bead stops already on it.


Bill

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 -1972 ECS or TCS Steel Vacuum Tube

Terry,
I have made a tool to make the bead. It is very primitive and labor intensive for such a small return. If you know where to get a tool to make the bead the way it is supposed to be, can you PM me with the information.

If you do not know off hand, I can look it up myself.

Monte

Here you go Monte:

http://www.mastercool.com/pages/flaring_tools.html

Most folks only look at the tube flaring features, but they can do a lot of other things including what we are talking about here.

[Monte M.]

Re: 1970 -1972 ECS or TCS Steel Vacuum Tube

Bill,
The one you sold me has a rolled bead about 1/8" from each end. It is more of a bump than a bead and right at the edge of each end.
The length might be right, but the rest is not even close. If the length is right, I can make on that looks similar to original myself.

Monte

[Bill C.]

Re: 1970 -1972 ECS or TCS Steel Vacuum Tube

The length is exactly what the original is. I had it pattern bent in a machine for making brake/fuel line...

The crazy bends and look is correct too. My car was a one owner (never ever touched) 32K mile car when I got it. The tube was as installed at St Louis.
Also -- IMHO why get all crazy over the bead anyway - the crazy thing is inside a rubber hose.... can't see it.


Bill

[Monte M.]

Re: 1970 -1972 ECS or TCS Steel Vacuum Tube

Bill,
The bead is a stop. I does not go inside the vacuum line. If you look at the first post in this thread, you will see that the rubber vacuum line will slide on until it hits the bead.

So, it is seen. It rests against the end of the rubber vacuum tube.

Monte

[Bill C.]

Re: 1970 -1972 ECS or TCS Steel Vacuum Tube

Yep you are right -- I should have looked at my own pictures ...

[Monte M.]

Re: 1970 -1972 ECS or TCS Steel Vacuum Tube

Terry,

Thank you for taking the time to locate that. It is an excellent tool for doing the job the right way. It is very similar to what I made on the mill, but I put it in a huge press I have to complete the task.

Once again, your time is greatly appreciated.

Monte

[Terry M.]

Re: 1970 -1972 ECS or TCS Steel Vacuum Tube

Terry,

Thank you for taking the time to locate that. It is an excellent tool for doing the job the right way. It is very similar to what I made on the mill, but I put it in a huge press I have to complete the task.

Once again, your time is greatly appreciated.

Monte

No problem Monte. I am not surprised there are several ways to skin the cat. Perhaps in the years to come the link will help others who may not have a machine shop at their disposal. Best of luck with your method.