What is This Black Box Thing?

Discussion in 'The Mixing shop.' started by FLGS400, Sep 21, 2020.

  1. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    Yeah... I noticed that the molded PCV hose is not too common at the local parts houses. If I cannot find a replacement (molded) one, I will do as you said and put a straight connector in it where the tee is. You are right about the golf tee. I put that there for running it without the ram air air cleaner, for trouble shooting.

    The vacuum switch has 1 port connected to the manifold vacuum port on the carb, another connected to the ported vacuum port on the carb, and the center one connected to the vacuum advance on the distributor, now. That was how the manual showed it. I guess I could just put the vacuum advance hose to either one or the other, depending on what this motor likes. I'll deal with that when I can get to the point of tuning (after the immediate issues are taken care of... LOL).

    There is a line from the intake manifold to the vacuum canister, that has the transmission modulator hose teed into it. So your saying that the transmission modulator should go to the manifold port, then the vacuum canister (which I thought was for the inside vents) should go the the main vacuum port on the back of the carb, along with the other line that goes into the firewall? I could not find this arrangement in the manual...

    Thanks again!
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2020
  2. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    I appreciate the care, as I am a little curious about it! I had never seen one of these before on any A, X, or F body car before.

    I am going to remove it, though... :)
     
    mrolds69 likes this.
  3. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

    It is kind of hard to see where everything goes in the pics, Rich. The early (1967-70?) PCV hose is shaped differently, they are not repro'ed. The later hose which will fit and work is available repro. I assume Todd and others sell it. To the left of the PCV valve that fitting, I think that's where the metal modulator line goes. There would be the fitting, then like 1" (+) of hose, and the metal line. The line from the water valve should go through the firewall to the heater control, somehow. That line usually has a white stripe on it. Then there should be another line (maybe the red one) that goes to the heater control, too. The canister holds vacuum, the big nipple on it is where it gets it's supply. The small nipple on it is to send the vacuum to where it's needed. The big nipple supply usually comes off a T in the line from the back of the carb. There's one line that goes over the trans dipstick I can't see.
    The Dana deal? When I was very young, in the 60's, I would read JC Whitney catalogs cover to cover, over and over, when other kids were reading comic books. There were a wazillion weird things in there. Like who doesn't remember the pipe organ rear speakers? Actually, there were things in the 60's you could buy that are standard on all cars today. Like headlight buzzers, things that made your headlights come on automatically, etc. As time passed, emissions and fuel gimmicks became huge. Things like spark plugs w/o electrodes, screens under the carbs, electronic ignitions, boosters, etc. All of these things claiming better mileage and less emissions. Some of the things worked, most didn't. The Dana thing is one of those things...
     
  4. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    That is the line that comes out of the vacuum canister. It goes through the firewall and into the car along with the red stripe one.

    I would guess that the PCV line from a 70+ 455 motor would work, as long as it has the PCV valve in the manifold. They share so many other external parts with a 400 or 430. If I go that route, I'll save the original PCV hose. If something happens that the car get's sold, I like to include that kinda stuff with it.

    Funny you mentioned that about the JC Whitney catalog. I used to love going to my Grandfather's house in NJ when I was a kid (early-mid 70's). He was a mechanic for the local Chevy dealership and always had the latest JC Whitney catalog ready for me to read cover-to-cover, while he worked on his car or my uncle's 61 Corvette. I have the last car he bought new, which is a 74 Malibu Classic. It's pretty rusty though from all the years in the snow and salt.
     
    mrolds69 likes this.
  5. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    One other thing that has been done to this car is that it has the Pertronix Igniter (II, I think) electronic ignition conversion, their Flamethrower coil, and a relay to switch the 12V battery power to it. Not that it really matters to this thread, I know that DANA box has nothing to do with it...

    Just wanted to throw all the details of this car out there. LOL
     
  6. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    By the way.. Larry, you were right:

    After swapping the intake manifold, I finally got around to checking the the vacuum advance, and it is not working at all. I put my vacuum pump on it and it holds zero vacuum. Removed it and had to force the arm to move in. It's pretty crusty looking, so may be the original. I have ordered the Crane timing curve kit, with the vacuum advance, so I can "power-time" this thing, per your thread in the FAQ section.

    Thank you for pointing this out!
     
  7. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    You're welcome.
     
  8. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    Maybe it's supposed to make the car's idle increase when the AC is on? If it still exists?
     
    69GS430/TKX likes this.
  9. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    I don't think so. I'm pretty sure that it was some aftermarket exhaust recirculation thing. It no longer exists under my hood, but does in a box of things that I've replaced or removed. :D
     
    Max Damage likes this.
  10. docgsx

    docgsx It's not a GTX

    Go see Fernando and he’ll help you to get that thing to run properly!
     
  11. 69GS430/TKX

    69GS430/TKX Silver Level contributor

    If it's from Dana, then maybe your car has a Dana rear end, and the vacuum thing controls the differential ratio...like a Buick Switch Pitch torque converter, except for the rear! :)
     
    bostoncat68 likes this.
  12. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    Good to know docgsx, thank you! I may if I cannot get it figured out on my own. He was one of the first to send me a message, when I first signed up here. He is located very close to me.

    Nah... there was nothing connected between it and the rear end. It used to be connected to the vacuum advance, PVC hose, and passenger side exhaust downtube. When I got the car, TA downpipes had been installed and the exhaust tube to the Dana gimmick was just hanging there, unconnected.

    The rear end in this GS400 is the original bastard 8.2 that came in the 68-69's that no one makes parts for anymore. :eek:
     
    69GS430/TKX likes this.
  13. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    Talk to Monzaz on the board, about your 8.2.
     
  14. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    Thank you Bill, that's exactly what I plan to do when I get this car running better. It currently is leaking a little from the pinion seal. Next project...
     

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