Electra63 Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 (edited) Hello I'm the new proud owner of a 63 Electra The previous owner spent money to get the brake system done but I noticed something that I need advice with. The vacuum line that runs from the top of the brake module has a tee that goes to the vacuum reservoir. The other branch goes to a hose and then to a solid line that connects to an elbow under the front of the air filter. I have the factory repair manual and the diagram goes that far but stops. So the hose attached to the elbow right now has a plug in the end and is not attached to anything. I believe it should probably connect to the intake somewhere to provide the vacuum to the brake system ? Can someone tell me where it should connect ? A photo would be great. Second question. I wonder why it was disconnected by the garage that worked on the brakes ? I just wonder if the brake cylinder assembly is not working or has a vacuum leak. It looks original...and the brakes work great ... (!?) Any advice appreciated Thanks for reading pic added Edited May 21, 2022 by Electra63 Clarification (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NailheadBob Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 post a picture of your intake manifold on your car with air cleaner off, I believe there should be a brass fitting, (that may have broken off while being worked on at some time) on intake manifold that line should be connected to. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electra63 Posted May 21, 2022 Author Share Posted May 21, 2022 Thanks Bob. I'll post a pic within the hour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexRiv_63 Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 These are pics of my 63 Riviera, should be similar. Zoom in on the engine pic to see the fitting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electra63 Posted May 21, 2022 Author Share Posted May 21, 2022 Here's the pic of mine There is a connection on the rear (second pic) but that's connected to a hose that runs to the valve cover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electra63 Posted May 21, 2022 Author Share Posted May 21, 2022 (edited) Thanks TexRiv. I can see what appears to be a tee or straight fitting in front of the carb. I see what seems to be a 1-2" solid nipple connected to that silver colored fitting on the left side of the pic but can't tell if there's anything connected to it PS. One day my engine bay will be clean like yours ! Edited May 21, 2022 by Electra63 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NailheadBob Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 (edited) it could be if they broke one of those brass fittings the original one could have another fitting end (so it had 2 openings for metal lines) and the only one they could get was with i fitting that a line could attach to, I have seen the double fitting I mentioned on other Buick Nailhead intakes, look at Dorman products # 490-276.1 for the single one. Bob Edited May 21, 2022 by NailheadBob Added photo (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electra63 Posted May 21, 2022 Author Share Posted May 21, 2022 43 minutes ago, NailheadBob said: it could be if they broke one of those brass fittings the original one could have another fitting end (so it had 2 openings for metal lines) and the only one they could get was with i fitting that a line could attach to, I have seen the double fitting I mentioned on other Buick Nailhead intakes, look at Dorman products # 490-276.1 for the single one. Bob Thanks Bob. Yeah I'm coming to the conclusion that there is a vacuum port missing. I know the previous owner also rebuilt or exchanged the carb so perhaps the replacement is missing a port or there was a tee at the back where the brass elbow is right now. The only vacuum connections I see are the vacuum advance for distributor and that brass elbow on the back which is connected via a hose to the valve cover - I assume for emissions/scavenging. Looks like there could be a check valve fitted into the top of the valve cover where the hose connects (see pic). I believe the brake vacuum line should also have a check valve in it ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electra63 Posted May 21, 2022 Author Share Posted May 21, 2022 Oh. Duh. The penny just dropped....what I thought was just an elbow in front of the carb is actually a tee which is tapped into the intake manifold. So the hose that is connected to that tee and is currently plugged is not required for the brake circuit. It must have served another purpose...perhaps for the AC or auxiliary system. Thanks for the replies. Shame I didn't figure it out earlier. At least it helped me to get to know my engine bay ... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NailheadBob Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 27 minutes ago, Electra63 said: Thanks Bob. Yeah I'm coming to the conclusion that there is a vacuum port missing. I know the previous owner also rebuilt or exchanged the carb so perhaps the replacement is missing a port or there was a tee at the back where the brass elbow is right now. The only vacuum connections I see are the vacuum advance for distributor and that brass elbow on the back which is connected via a hose to the valve cover - I assume for emissions/scavenging. Looks like there could be a check valve fitted into the top of the valve cover where the hose connects (see pic). I believe the brake vacuum line should also have a check valve in it ? that is the PCV valve your finger is pointed to. Bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electra63 Posted May 21, 2022 Author Share Posted May 21, 2022 Thanks Bob. Appreciate your help and patience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electra63 Posted May 21, 2022 Author Share Posted May 21, 2022 A couple of pics of the whole car at this link in case you're interested https://forums.aaca.org/topic/378827-1963-electra-225-sedan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 1 hour ago, Electra63 said: Thanks Bob. Yeah I'm coming to the conclusion that there is a vacuum port missing. I know the previous owner also rebuilt or exchanged the carb so perhaps the replacement is missing a port or there was a tee at the back where the brass elbow is right now. The only vacuum connections I see are the vacuum advance for distributor and that brass elbow on the back which is connected via a hose to the valve cover - I assume for emissions/scavenging. Looks like there could be a check valve fitted into the top of the valve cover where the hose connects (see pic). I believe the brake vacuum line should also have a check valve in it ? That's your engine's PCV valve. Appears mounted and hose routed correctly. It is a check valve of sorts. Vacuum from a port on the carb baseplate lifts it open and scavenges blowby gases from the crankcase. The gases are then reburned to reduce emissions. See if you can pull it out of its rubber grommet, then shake it. If it rattles it should be functioning. Also check the breather cap on the opposite valve cover and make sure it's clean. It can be washed in clean kerosene. Expect to see a lot of black goo and deposits flush out of it. Most GM carlines have some type of check valve in vacuum power brake vacuum source lines. It's usually on the power brake vacuum booster but sometimes inline. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NailheadBob Posted May 21, 2022 Share Posted May 21, 2022 21 minutes ago, Electra63 said: A couple of pics of the whole car at this link in case you're interested https://forums.aaca.org/topic/378827-1963-electra-225-sedan Great looking car you won't regret your purchase, looking forward to your updates. Bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electra63 Posted May 21, 2022 Author Share Posted May 21, 2022 17 minutes ago, NailheadBob said: Great looking car you won't regret your purchase, looking forward to your updates. Bob Thanks. I plan to sort out an issue with the brake lamp circuit and then attack the AC system before summer kicks in. After that it'll be taking care of the rust spots and the chrome followed by the interior. The door panels need re-covering and perhaps the seats. Head liner is in good condition. Should keep me out of mischief for a while. Ha ha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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