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1937 Buick 90 Limited Vacuum line routing


idrjoe_sandiego

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On my 1937 Buick 90 Limited, someone removed the vacuum lines from the vacuum pump (fuel pump combo). Does anyone have any photos showing the correct routing for the vacuum lines to and from the fuel pump to (presumably) the wiper motor? I assume these were copper lines? What size copper line was used here? Thanks for your help. Joe

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Joe,

On my '40 LTD the vacuum line for the wipers runs from the pump back behind the distributor along the bottom edge of the tappet cover. There are small clips on the cover to hold the line. It mates up w/ a rubber hose that goes thru the firewall to the wiper motor.

I believe it is 5/16" O.D. steel line.

Mike in Colorado

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Mike-

I know the clips you speak of. Excellent!

And at the moment, the rubber vacuum line you describe runs from the firewall and is hooked directly to the intake.

OK, so what about the vacuum line that runs from the intake manifold to the vacuum pump outlet? Any idea how that makes its journey around the engine compartment? And the correct vacuum port on the intake I'm guessing is the one just to the rear of the carb (where the rubber hose is now attached)?

Reason for all the questions--I just finished rebuilding my leaking AC mechanical fuel/vacuum pump. The previous rebuilder incorrectly installed the two small valves in the vacuum pump both with their "legs up". Obviously the pump wouldn't work this way. My guess: Faulty pump led to the vacuum lines being removed. Now, the vacuum pump works so well it is kind of noisy with no lines attached to them. I'd like to get the vacuum lines reinstalled correctly so I don't ruin my new pump.

Thanks a million for your help. Joe

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Joe,

On mine there is a 90 degree fitting on the top of the intake manifold, just in front of the carb, and the vacuum line runs forward to the front edge of the valve cover, turns in behind the thermostat housing, and down to the vacuum pump. The exit line from the pump, runs behind the crankcase breather tube and distributor, and has a very gentle Z bend toward the back end of the block, and hooks up with the rubber tube going thru the fire wall and to the wiper motor up under the dash. If you go to my gallery, and blow up the engine picture, you can see the manifold part, but not the pump itself. Sorry.

Mike in Colorado

PS If you search the forums enough, you can find a 320 CID engine picture in a car with the front clip off. This should give you the info you need.

Edited by FLYER15015
more info (see edit history)
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Guest outlaw car man

In 33, the line comes off the manifold, over and down to the dual pump, out the other side, then up and thru the firewall into the wipers. I believe the dual pump was to help the wiper system. 1933 90.

Sandy

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  • 2 weeks later...

I am surprised how few pictures there are here of the 1937 Buick engine compartment. Can anyone post some detailed photos hopefully including the fuel pump and vacuum lines on both sides?

I did find one in the gallery, not detailed enough. I also found this 37 for sale with a couple pictures but I need some idea if the vacuum lines I see here are correct. They don't look like they are, especially the copper line near the firewall. Here's the link: 1937 BUICK ROADMASTER | The Vault Classic Cars Thx, Joe

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..I also found this 37 for sale with a couple pictures but I need some idea if the vacuum lines I see here are correct. They don't look like they are, especially the copper line near the firewall. Here's the link: 1937 BUICK ROADMASTER | The Vault Classic Cars Thx, Joe
I think the engine in that car is 1948 or later, as it has 4 tapped holes on the block under the coil for the (original) engine mounts Edited by 1939_buick (see edit history)
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Joe,

Click on Flyer 15015, above my avatar, then go to my album, and click on my engine picture. This will blow it up, and you can see the wiper and vacuum advance lines running along the bottom of the "lifter cover" behind the crank case breather tube and distributor.

Mike in Colorado

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Hi Mike- Thanks for that. I also see a bit of the line that travels from the intake ahead of the carb on its way to the fuel/vacuum pump. Still missing the view of the firewall metal tube to rubber hose transition. Where does this occur? Mike, your lines look like copper. I also am getting votes for 5/16" steel lines. Are they painted or ?? Sorry to badger you all about this, but it is just as easy to bend this tubing up correctly as it is to run it any old way. Unfortunately if I do the latter, then all the experts come out of the woodwork to point out the incorrectness! :)

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Joe,

Click on Flyer 15015, above my avatar, then go to my album, and click on my engine picture. This will blow it up, and you can see the wiper and vacuum advance lines running along the bottom of the "lifter cover" behind the crank case breather tube and distributor.

Mike in Colorado

OK Mike, tried to see the album (just for a stickbeek) and can't see it. What am I not doing right ??

I see you were a rep for foundries. I miss the old days of having my own foundry and machine shop at my disposal.

Danny

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idrjoe/Danny,

I took 4 more pic's today to show almost the complete routing.

My vacuum line running from the backside of the pump to the firewall does not use the "clips" on the tappet cover. It runs just below the covers lower edge. I know that's not correct, but it makes pulling the cover a whole lot easier.

The rubber hose from the back end of the steel tube goes thru a hole in the firewall level with and just inside of the pass side horn mounting bracket.

idrjoe, Yes the line comming off the manifold does look copper in color. It is however a steel line 5/16" that has seen too much polishing compound.

Best Regards,

Mike in Colorado

PS Danny, when you get to "profile" look down on the lower left of the page and click on "Album" that should open up all the pic's.

Then you can click on a pic and blow it up.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Ok. I finally found a pretty good rendition of the details on this for all who may want to know.

1). Point your browser at this web site:

1937 and 1938 Buicks www.1937and1938Buicks.com

2). Scroll down and click on Volume XIV Issue 5 (May-June 1996). You need Adobe Reader to view the issue. It starts around page 19 of the PDF file.

OR you can download the PDF file directly. Just click to save the file then use Adobe Reader to view it--

http://www.1937and1938buicks.com/The-Torque-Tube/Volume%20XIV%20Issue%205%20(May-June%201996).pdf

They have a 3-4 page article with details and pictures. A few details are missing here: the exact diameter of the tubing used and what color they were (if they were painted). Thanks again to all for your contributions.

Edited by idrjoe_sandiego
correction on Hyperlink (see edit history)
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  • 3 months later...

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