filozof97 Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 Hello. I've been wondering what in old cars was actually vacuum - powered. I know about vacuum wipers, vacuum operated pop - up headlights, vacuum operated convertbile tops in 40s convertibles, vacuum operated wiper doors in Corvette C3, vacuum gearshift control in 1938 Chevrolet. Was there anything else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 Vacuum power trunk release Vacuum power door locks Vacuum operated cruise control Vacuum operated (or technically, lack thereof) air intakes on various muscle cars Vacuum operated carb pre-heat air Vacuum operated HVAC systems Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesR Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 Some of the accessories on my '65 T-Bird aren't operational, so I can't know for sure, but it appears that the console controlled real interior vent is/was vacuum powered. At least there's what looks like a vacuum line fitting on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
61polara Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 Vacuum powered radio antenna. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
42319DB34 Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 Stewart vacuum tank / Fuel pump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 The obvious - vacuum spark advance Not so obvious - vacuum heater controls. I know they came on 59 Olds, no doubt lots of other cars as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 (edited) 19 minutes ago, Rusty_OToole said: The obvious - vacuum spark advance Well, if we're getting into that level of detail, there's the vacuum modulator on automatic transmissions, vacuum break diaphragms on carbs, and vacuum secondaries on some carburetors (or vacuum operated secondary carbs in the case of some tri-power setups). Also, EGR valves were vacuum operated initially, as are the canister vent valves on fuel evaporation charcoal canisters. My 1952 Chevy two ton truck has a vacuum operated two speed rear axle. And the most obvious, vacuum power brake boosters. Edited May 4, 2019 by joe_padavano (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikefit Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 How about power brakes ??????? Vacuum operated ash tray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Henderson Posted May 4, 2019 Share Posted May 4, 2019 Don't forget the Trico vacuum horns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c49er Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 Vacuum shifted M4 Chrysler/ DeSoto transmissions. Late 40's early 50's Mopar vacuum operated cigarette lighter... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 3 hours ago, joe_padavano said: Vacuum power door locks Mercedes used this for years, up into at least the mid 80s. 300D and 240D are good examples. Chassis W123. Most interesting is vacuum is used to turn off the engine! 😨 If the vacuum system leaks, you have to get out and press the red lever on the injection pump to shut off the fuel. I worked on lot of them that you had to lock the driver's door (which then locked the other doors) to shut off the engine. Locking the doors fixed the vacuum leak.👍 As long as the driver could do this, they did not want to fix it. If you suspect an EMP pulse is going to wipe out electronics, get one of these cars. Only the starter motor is electric as far as the engine is concerned! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 And don't forget GM's vacuum operated ash tray in the late 50s!🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepher Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 4 hours ago, Rusty_OToole said: The obvious - vacuum spark advance Not so obvious - vacuum heater controls. I know they came on 59 Olds, no doubt lots of other cars as well. Vacuum powered heater / cool air doors were found on lots of vehicles. A '75 Camaro I had at one time would only blow out of the defrost vents until I figured out there was a massive leak in the vacuum line feeding the heat / blend door assembly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB26 Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 I’ve got vacuum operated turn signals on my 1926 Dodge. They extend out from their centered position outside the vehicle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFitz Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 (edited) My 87 Ford Econoline had some vacuum operated pollution controls. And,... when you think about it,... the nut behind the wheel is an accessory and is sorta vacuum operated, too. Paul Edited May 5, 2019 by PFitz (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikefit Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 Vacuum release for the emergency brake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 The Startix automatic starter used vacuum as a regulator for it to know when the engine stalled and had to restart it. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 3 hours ago, 8E45E said: The Startix automatic starter used vacuum as a regulator for it to know when the engine stalled and had to restart it. Craig Not that I am aware of - I have only seen fully electrical examples using voltage drop to cause restarting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFitz Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 7 minutes ago, John_Mereness said: Not that I am aware of - I have only seen fully electrical examples using voltage drop to cause restarting John, Series 16 & 18 Franklins used a vacuum operated switch mounted in the middle of the intake manifold and wired to the Startix. It's only shown on the Series 18 Operator's manual wiring diagram., even though it was used on both Series. Franklin called it a "Backfire circuit breaker". On some aftermarket wiring diagrams it's called a, "Current interrupter". You may not have seen an all original setup because most have been removed - it's common that they fail. Paul 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 18 hours ago, PFitz said: John, Series 16 & 18 Franklins used a vacuum operated switch mounted in the middle of the intake manifold and wired to the Startix. It's only shown on the Series 18 Operator's manual wiring diagram., even though it was used on both Series. Franklin called it a "Backfire circuit breaker". On some aftermarket wiring diagrams it's called a, "Current interrupter". You may not have seen an all original setup because most have been removed - it's common that they fail. Paul So did Studebaker, and I also have the Shop Manual for a 1936, the last year Studebaker offered Startix, which clearly shows that vacuum operated switch in the diagram. I suspect it was a common item to any vehicle that came equipped with a Startix. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 On 5/4/2019 at 6:08 PM, c49er said: Late 40's early 50's Mopar vacuum operated cigarette lighter... Studebaker also offered a 'Drawmatic' cigarette lighter: http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?94724-RARE-Studebaker-accessory-on-Ebay-1950-1951-1952-Drawmatic-!&highlight=drawmatic Presumably, the same supplier as Chryco's version. Evans Products, perhaps? They also supplied the 'Miracle Shift' vacuum assisted transmission shifter for Studebaker in 1938. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt G Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 As an after market accessory in the early 1930s you could have bought a small fan that mounted to the steering column and was in a wire cage or by the late 1930s a bullet shaped one with rubber blades and both were used for cooling off the driver in hot weather. I have never seen either pictured or listed in factory accessory brochures or catalogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFitz Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, 8E45E said: So did Studebaker, and I also have the Shop Manual for a 1936, the last year Studebaker offered Startix, which clearly shows that vacuum operated switch in the diagram. I suspect it was a common item to any vehicle that came equipped with a Startix. Craig Craig, thank you for adding that. Yes, about a dozen top manufactures used the Startix system in the 30's. First units I ever saw were on a former customer's Pierce-Arrow collection. It's been over 20 year since I worked on Pierce-Arrows and I can't remember if there was that vacuum switch on their intake system. Not sure if all used that switch because it's not always mentioned in literature about how the Startix works. That's why I just mentioned the Franklin setup, which I know for certain had it. Paul Edited May 6, 2019 by PFitz (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c49er Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 Startix was used on Cords too. Not sure on the vacuum switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Layden B Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 A century ago a Vacuum cleaner was quite a novelty. This is an aftermarket accessory engine manifold vacuum powered vacuum cleaner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 Somewhere in my stash of stuff I have an accessory that one would open and flick his ashes into it. It would suck the ash and deposit them into a glass jar. That thing is vacuum operated. I think I also have one of those rubber bladed vacuum fans that Walt mentioned above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary_Ash Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 I can't believe that all you guys forgot the famous Wolf Whistle. You can still buy one. A gentle series of pulls on the actuator string could make all kinds of noises. See 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 2 hours ago, JACK M said: Somewhere in my stash of stuff I have an accessory that one would open and flick his ashes into it. It would suck the ash and deposit them into a glass jar. That thing is vacuum operated. I think I also have one of those rubber bladed vacuum fans that Walt mentioned above. I remember them. As I recall, it was called an "Ash-a-way". Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 4 hours ago, PFitz said: Craig, thank you for adding that. Yes, about a dozen top manufactures used the Startix system in the 30's. First units I ever saw were on a former customer's Pierce-Arrow collection. It's been over 20 year since I worked on Pierce-Arrows and I can't remember if there was that vacuum switch on their intake system. Not sure if all used that switch because it's not always mentioned in literature about how the Startix works. That's why I just mentioned the Franklin setup, which I know for certain had it. Paul You are correct. Only later systems had that vacuum-operated circuit interrupter switch, as per an older post on Startix here ---------> Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFitz Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 (edited) Thanks for posting that link, Craig. Not sure when others started using them, but Franklin did use the intake manifold mounted backfire circuit breakers on 1932 models same as the units shown in that link. Those I have worked on in recent years. But rather than try to get that not-so-reliable complexity working again, the customers have gone for installing a simple 6 volt starter relay mounted under the toe board near the starter motor and leave the Startix system all in place for "show" only. Paul Edited May 6, 2019 by PFitz (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filozof97 Posted May 6, 2019 Author Share Posted May 6, 2019 Thanks for all replies; I'd like to ask one more thing. If the car is equipped with combination fuel - vacuum pump, should it be connected directly to wiper motor etc. or should it be connected, using tee - joint to the manifold vacuum line and wiper motor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFitz Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 (edited) The Stewart vacuum tanks I'm familiar with all came with a tee fitting screwed into the top cover of the tank. The intake manifold vacuum line and a thinner line to the wiper motor, both connect to that tee. Paul Edited May 6, 2019 by PFitz (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom_in_nh Posted May 7, 2019 Share Posted May 7, 2019 Vacuum operated washer pump... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB26 Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 Here are the turn signals I mentioned before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 Got a later 'Wig-Wag' stop light (which also used vacuum)? Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmhowe Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 My 1935 Cadillac has vacuum assisted mechanical brakes. I'm sure other models/makes did, also. The brakes work very well. There is some fade on mountain roads, probably due to the lining material. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustDave Posted May 9, 2019 Share Posted May 9, 2019 If I remember right my dads 49 olds 98 to door hardtop had vacuum operated power wiindows Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgreen Posted May 9, 2019 Share Posted May 9, 2019 On 5/4/2019 at 7:01 PM, JamesR said: Some of the accessories on my '65 T-Bird aren't operational, so I can't know for sure, but it appears that the console controlled real interior vent is/was vacuum powered. At least there's what looks like a vacuum line fitting on it. The rear vent for the 64 and 65 Tbird was vacuum operated. Also unique to that car was that the wiper motor was hydraulic, driven off the power steering pump. That gave you a variable speed wiper. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesR Posted May 9, 2019 Share Posted May 9, 2019 1 minute ago, kgreen said: The rear vent for the 64 and 65 Tbird was vacuum operated. Also unique to that car was that the wiper motor was hydraulic, driven off the power steering pump. That gave you a variable speed wiper. Thanks Kgreen. I got the car not long ago and there are still things that are slightly mysterious. When I turned the wipers on briefly, I definitely got the impression they weren't electric, but I knew the car was far too late to have vacuum wipers. I now have an explanation, thanks to you. I have the shop manual, but it's thick and it'll be a while before I get to the wipers. Or maybe not. I just ordered a power steering pump because I need the steering gear replaced so it's a good time to replace the noisy pump too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted May 9, 2019 Share Posted May 9, 2019 10 hours ago, JustDave said: If I remember right my dads 49 olds 98 to door hardtop had vacuum operated power wiindows They were electro-hydraulic, not vacuum. An electric motor pumped fluid from an underhood reservoir to individual cylinders below the windows to raise them. A solenoid-operated check valve allowed the window to lower. Convertible tops, front seats, and radio antennas on certain cars were also hydraulic. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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