72 Vapor Canister

[John W.]

Can't find a new vapor canister. Read where people have cut open the old canister and replaced the old material with activated charcoal purchased from the pet store. Is this a valid fix? Also noticed a diaphragm at the top of the canister under a cap where the hoses connect to the canister and go up to the carburetor. That 40 year old part has to be bad. Is a replacement available?
Thanks

[Paul Y.]

Re: 72 Vapor Canister

Can't find a new vapor canister. Read where people have cut open the old canister and replaced the old material with activated charcoal purchased from the pet store. Is this a valid fix? Also noticed a diaphragm at the top of the canister under a cap where the hoses connect to the canister and go up to the carburetor. That 40 year old part has to be bad. Is a replacement available?
Thanks

I found new parts and complete canisters for my 71 from Dr. Rebuild a few years back. I got NOS GM stuff from him at a good price also. It is amazing to me what he still has NOS. I would give him a try if I were you. Paul

[Dick W.]

Re: 72 Vapor Canister

If my memory serves me correctly, there is a replaceable charcoal filter in the bottom of the cannister

[Bob D.]

Re: 72 Vapor Canister

I bought several replacement filter elements from the Dr. Rebuild several years ago. Don't know if he still has them but cn't hurt to call.

Bob

[Dick W.]

Re: 72 Vapor Canister

I bought several replacement filter elements from the Dr. Rebuild several years ago. Don't know if he still has them but cn't hurt to call.

Bob

No need to go to a Corvette parts vendor here. Wix 42998, or AC A478C Any parts store can cross that number

[Michael W.]

Re: 72 Vapor Canister

Can't find a new vapor canister. Read where people have cut open the old canister and replaced the old material with activated charcoal purchased from the pet store. Is this a valid fix? Also noticed a diaphragm at the top of the canister under a cap where the hoses connect to the canister and go up to the carburetor. That 40 year old part has to be bad. Is a replacement available?
Thanks

Why are you replacing it?

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 Vapor Canister

John, is the vacuum line from the canister to carb. have raw fuel inside the line? This would indicate that the diaphram on canister has failed.

[John W.]

Re: 72 Vapor Canister

Tried them already - no longer have the part. Thanks for the reply

[John W.]

Re: 72 Vapor Canister

That filter at the base of the canister is still available - made of a material similar to foam. It is the contents of the canister that i am interested in replacing. The canister is original and the car has been idle for 25 years. I can't imagine that the 40 year old material on the inside is still functional.

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 Vapor Canister

Tried them already - no longer have the part. Thanks for the reply

John-----


The last available canister assembly for your application was GM #17063011, aka Delco #215-12. It's configuration was a little different than the original but it was 100% functional. Unfortunately, it was fairly recently discontinued. There might still be a few around, though.

[John W.]

Re: 72 Vapor Canister

The reason I was planning on replacing it is because I am assuming that it is so old that it is no longer functional - I could be wrong. The car has not been run in 25 years. Doing a body off restoration and planned on replacing the part if I could find it. Same is true with the diaphram at the top of the canister - I know they don't last forever in a small gas engine carburetor. Do not trust it's functionality after 40 years.

[John W.]

Re: 72 Vapor Canister

Thanks for reply - searched the 17063011 number and found nothing - will try Delco 215-12. Would you assume, as I have, that my original part would no longer function properly?

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 Vapor Canister

Thanks for reply - searched the 17063011 number and found nothing - will try Delco 215-12. Would you assume, as I have, that my original part would no longer function properly?

John------


Not necessarily. These things are fairly simple.

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 Vapor Canister

John, the canister in my 72 is still the original. and no problems, If you want to remove it and check the vacuum diaphram it can be tested with a vacuum pump. thats really the only part that generally fails, The charcoal inside the canister is not a servicible part as far as I know. but generally I really don't think you'll see any problems, I have seen a post awhile back that when the charcoal inside the canister is found at the rear of the gas tank area where theres a plastic square resevoir above the tank then its gone. personally I have never seen it.

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 Vapor Canister

Ed,
I seem to remember replaceable a yellow fiberglass filter at the bottom of the canister on some years. That may not be 1972 or even Corvette, but some canisters had it.