I replaced the vacuum shift tank and piston, etc., on the 41 coupe today. (NOS unit still in the box which I was saving for the 41 project. But, alas, the coupe needed it right now.)

It had protective rubber plugs in the orifices. The lip broke off the main one receiving vacuum from the engine (the other is to the frame filter) and as I tried to fiddle it out with a thin screwdriver but it just got pushed farther and farther in. Way down to the curve. Just could see it. Not good. Couldn't blow it out, either. Shucks.

Anyone have any idea how I got it out? What would you do.

Charlie

Could you push a small vacuum hose in the pipe and hook vac hose to a running engine to supply vacuum ?and suck it out? or is it really jammed in tight?

Mel,

That is exactly what I did. I didn't think it would work but it did.

I hooked the vacuum line up to the cylinder and then to the engine as normal and then started the engine.

I then took it back loose and looked in the oriface. No plug. Whee!

I don't have a clue as to whether it went to a cylinder or our the exhaust or what. It wasn't in the metal line or the hose. Just gone.

You have a good mind and we think alike.

Thanks for your response. Next time I have a problem, I'll know who to call.

Best,
Charlie

Hi Charlie,

I worried all through supper about your problem. Since a picture is worth a thousand words I came up with this solution.

I figured if the vacuum cleaner didn't work then get rid of the sissy vacuum assist. Time to drive a stick like a real man. For $75 I will sell you new linkage...

It was 40 degrees today in Michigan., Spring is in the air.

Best wishes, Mike

P.S. Glad you solved your problem, but too bad you messed up a valve!!!

Mike, you need to move south of that snow belts. 'Been 70 here today and looking for 75 Tuesday!

Mike,

Now that right there was not so funny! "Sissy!" Give me a break!

Nice try, though. Hope I ruined your supper.

No valve problem that I can tell at this juncture. I'll check the tail pipe.

Charlie

BTW: Craftsman tools have been flying through a lot of flac here lately.

BTW2: It will be sunny and 75 here today. Wife is out of town visiting her relatives. I don't know whether to go to a bar and see heavenly Helen or work on the 41 coupe some more. Decisions, decisions. You who are still suffering from Canadian weather fronts, I feel for you. Do too!

Hi Charlie,

It is 2:45 P.M. here. The snow continues to melt, an hour ago I was working on the rust behind my dash and my back went out. Like with you the wife is away. There will be hell to pay when she gets home. It is the second time in two weeks that I have had a problem. No more "Dream Garage" for a while. I'll just tell you the same thing my school principal used to tell the kids every Friday, "Its okay to be a little bit crazy just don't do anything stupid." The translation for you is it's okay to be a little bit crazy when your wife's not home just don't do anything stupid.

Have a great rest of the day, Mike

Well, found an old vacuum assembly. Extended the vacuum line, It seemed to work fine. Key word "seemed." Put the sucker on thinking that I could still save the new one for the project car, It didn' work. Had to go back to the NOS one. Mercy.

Had a heck of a time getting the pin back in.

Anyway, now it shifts just a little bit off. When it is shifted Reverse or Second the gear-shift liver kicks back a bit. About three-quarters (3/4) inch measured from the tip of the gear-shift lever. There was no such movement when installed the first time but in taking it off and putting it back on the trunction (that thing you can screw in and out) got a turn or two in one direction or another.

Question for those who know about adjusting these things. As opposed to those who have taken them off. From what I've described about the movement, do you think I need to screw it in or out?

Thanks,

Charlie

Hi Charlie,

For me it is only a guess??? I would assume it is easiest to turn something down by mistake, just the naturalness of gravity. So turn the thing up 2 turns and see if it corrects the problem??? If not turn it back 4 turns and check that response???

What do you think went wrong with the old vacuum assist??? I have two old units around that I thought someday I might rebuild/cleanup. What goes wrong with the unit other than bad vacuum rubber hose?

Good luck, Mike

Good suggestion. I'm guessing that turning it one way causes it to shift upwards on the gearshift and visa versa. I just thought someone may know which does what. Save me from having to get it wrong on one try. I'll sure as heck choose wrong.

I think the internal boot just aged and didn't hold pressure as it should.

Thanks,
Charlie

Why are we not using the adjusting gauge?

The canister must be disassembled, cleaned, lubricated and reassembled. Then properly adjusted.

To all concerned. If the vacuum hose you use is stiff it will play havoc with the shifting. The hose must be vacuum hose, but also flexible.

Because:

a. I don't have no stinkin' gauge. They cost way to much for such a simple washer-like tool. (Thanks, Ray, for having me admit that I don't have this essential tool. )

b. I like crawling in and out from under the car so much that I would not like to be deprived of this great pleasure.

c. Too thrifty, cheap or chinnsy(sp) (pick one) to buy a gauge.

d. The shipping to took cost ratio is prohibitive. I was waiting until I had a big order so they could just throw it in the box. It don't weigh more than a nickel.

Charlie

I'd thought of "popping" out a few washer ( gauge's ) on my lathe ever since someone mentioned the size...But, alas I don't even have the "vacuum assist" any longer on my car...

How much postage could tossing a washer in an envelope cost...?

Christmas before last, you said you were going to make a bunch of these and send them out as "Christmas gifts". I waited until the following May and it never came. I knew it must had been lost in the mail. So....., then I ordered one from COT40's. Washer with instructions $8.00. Shipping $9.38. Are you kidding me. Yes, they are on the West coast and I am on the East, but.

Well, heck...Sorry about that...Sometimes you have to keep reminding me...The shipping costs more than the part, my god...

That happens far too often! We've all been victims of it.

I bought a mechanical pencil for $2.98. Cost to ship? $8.95 He said he hires all his shipping done and he has to make some money off that operation also???????

A word to the wise, if you are buying a few small items ask the vendor if they will ship them by first class mail. If so the cost will be minimal. Most automatically ship by UPS or FedEx that don't have lower small item package prices. It should be a no brainer for the vendors but that requires hired folks to make a decision to change the routine and possibly get chewed out from making a mistake.

I always try to consider the shipping cost on orders. Sometimes have to bite the bullet when need the item quickly and bundling items into a larger order not practical.

Chipper,

Excellent point and suggestion. I will try it.

Thanks,
Charlie

BTW: How is the adjusting gadget used, anyway?

Charlie, PM me your address and I'll drop it in the mail tomorrow. You can break it in for me. Every time I thought about trying it, I "somehow" talked myself out of it.

I will e-mail you the instruction sheets so you can study in your spare time. They are a "copy" and the pictures are about as clear as the repo shop manual pictures.

Russell,

You have a PM.

Thanks,
Charlie

Wrapped and ready to go tomorrow.

Charlie you may need to order parts after all,have you tried to attach the NOS boot yet?Mine was dry as a bone and replaced it before even intalling the cylinder.After getting your vac assist working properly the key will be to get the small rod adjusted properly,then fine tune with the larger rod..The problem I had with my old vacumm assit unit was air leaks,I use alot silicone and got a few more years out of it until I found a NOS unit

Mine was NOS right out of the box.

As to the boot, it was shot. All cracked up. I just tore it off. I don't drive in the rain or on dirt roads all that much and, so, figured it would last at least half life. The old one didn't have a boot on it either. It was gone years ago.

The 41 project will have a boot on it. I'll try hiring someone here on chatter who has the pleasure of installing a boot to do it for me. I figure "know how/been there, done that" is the key. I have some loose change around here somewhere.

Charlie

How loose is that change Charlie,fly me down and I will do the job

From what I gather, the boot is "No Fun" to install...(?)

You got that right..Don't rip it!

Russell,

Got it today.

It is supposed to rain the next day or so. I will get to it on Wednesday, I hope.

I'll let all of you know how it turns out. Right now it is not going into Reverse and Second as it should.

Sadly, I'm beginning to see why some people take the vacuum shift off. I hope this tool will make it as simple as just using it and the instruction sheet that comes (Thanks for that too, Russell) it.

Stand by for more information. I'm going to learn how to do this job even if it kills me.

Charlie

The instruction sheet that came with the tool that Russell sent me calls for lubricating the vacuum cylinder with BK vacuum cylinder oil.

Anyone ever heard of this stuff and know where I can get some.

How about a suitable substitute.

Thanks,

Charlie

This might be what you're looking for:

McMaster-Carr

First, WARNING, if you are under this thing when you follow those instruction, be prepared to eat some of what ever you use. Ask me how I know!

Second, I think "jack" oil or even some of that NOS shock oil you have will work just fine. A light oil just to soak the seal.

Russell,

Thanks for the warning. Currently I am using a two pieces of hose and a length of copper line to extend the assembly out from under the car. Today (No rain forecast), I'm going to buy 6 feet of 3/8 fuel or vacuum hose in order to do away with having to use the copper line.

Anyway, I'll not be under the car except to take it out and put it in. I think the knee-action fluid may work. Thanks for the suggestion.

Charlie

I used jack oil..What I experienced when adjusting the shift linkage was that I would lose 1st and reverse or 2nd and 3rd gears..It realy helps to have someone in the car shifting as you watch the movements of the rods for adjustment

Well, I worked on it some more today. Nice weather.

Anyway, before I took the new one off, I took an old one and put a new piston in it. Like to have never got it in. Then I hooked up to the vacuum (ran a hose from the one on the car to an outside work area. First I got it to go back and forth, then I used the tool that Russell sent me and got it adjusted so that it would creep in and out like the instructions recommend.

Put it on and took the new one off. Works pretty good except the gear shift doesn't want to hold well in reverse and second. I drove it around the block and backed up a few times. Seems to get better with use.

I poured a ton of knee-action fluid in it. Maybe I got too much. (Actually a little more than a drop or two but not very much.

I'll keep checking on it and see if I can tweek it some more.

Best,
Charlie

Keep plugging away Charlie!

May get better with a little use...Try it again tomorrow...

You might want to PM me...It say's your PM box is full...(?)

Hey, Charlie I found the original booklet on your vacuum assist...PM me if you'd like a copy...If you don't already have one...Found the original car manual as well...Kevin

Kevin,

Thanks but I don't think I'll need it. I'm smarter than any ol' book.

Best,
Charlie

Hi Charlie,

So don't you have a rural friend that could warm up some soapy water for you??? If you need any help I could send you some directions???

Have a giant day, Mike

When I replaced the boot on my vacuum shift unit I used a hook tool that glass guys use on the gaskets when installing windows. Just have to be careful so you don't tip it to much and poke a hole in the new boot with the tip of the hook. I also got some "silglide" from Napa to help the rubber slide. It is meant to use for lubing weatherstrips among other things. Don

Years back, I used silglide (sliglide?) in a tube. Handy stuff!
I haven't seen it for sale in many years.