The Ford Barn

ThomasN · 03-02-2015, 08:53 PM

How much vacuum should I have to make my wipers work on my 53 vic?
They don't want to work and I seem to have a very low vacuum but how can I get it a little higher? The port under carb was plugged up so I cleaned it with an 1/8 drill bit and that gave me a slight hint of a vacuum

cmbrucew · 03-02-2015, 09:14 PM

Thomas
If your engine is stock, you have vacuum leaks. Hoses, gaskets, switch or a leaking valve.
Start your search with a can of WD40, it has propane in it. When you find a leak, your RPM will increase.
Bruce

flatjack9 · 03-02-2015, 09:19 PM

Need a vacuum gauge.

ThomasN · 03-02-2015, 11:43 PM

Thanks Bruce.
I do have a vacuum gauge on shelf that I will try and see what it is.
Thanks flatjack

Chuck Sea/Tac · 03-03-2015, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmbrucew

Thomas
If your engine is stock, you have vacuum leaks. Hoses, gaskets, switch or a leaking valve.
Start your search with a can of WD40, it has propane in it. When you find a leak, your RPM will increase.
Bruce

I don't think wd40 uses propane any more, it's carbon dioxide

Mart · 03-03-2015, 07:03 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Vacuum sucks.

flatheadfan · 03-03-2015, 07:58 AM

Are you running a non-stock cam?

Tom

Kurt in NJ · 03-03-2015, 10:20 AM

Both the 49, and 53 Merc engines I got have dual action fuel pumps (fuel pump with a vacuum booster pump) ---did Ford use them too ---or as an option, I know it made a big difference in wiper operation in the 46 big truck---the wipers never stopped even running flat out up a big hill ---also I know back in the day the cheaper regular pump was used to replace the dual action when it failed

rotorwrench · 03-03-2015, 11:03 AM

L-head engines don't make a lot of vacuum as a general rule. The booster fuel pump isn't a bad idea. You may also have a problem with the vacuum motor or the vacuum pressure circuit for it.

ThomasN · 03-03-2015, 11:08 AM

Not sure of cam, I don't know how to check that. The entire car was a basket case when I got it. I think it was upside down in a river at one time. Mud encased above windshield and rocker full of mud. Heads were in trunk, carb and intake in a box. No lip on cylinder walls so I felt it was worth a try to get it unstuck. Broken head bolt and bad auto transmission to boot.
Now it runs very sweet and sounds like it may have a cam, or that may be attributed to headers and new exhaust. No smoke!
When I cleaned out the fitting on carb, all I could get in there was an 1/8 bit and that small orifice seemed small to me

03-02-2015, 08:53 PM	#1
ThomasN Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Spokane Wa. Posts: 271	vacuum How much vacuum should I have to make my wipers work on my 53 vic? They don't want to work and I seem to have a very low vacuum but how can I get it a little higher? The port under carb was plugged up so I cleaned it with an 1/8 drill bit and that gave me a slight hint of a vacuum

03-02-2015, 09:14 PM	#2
cmbrucew Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: North of sandy ago, CA. Posts: 2,064	Re: vacuum Thomas If your engine is stock, you have vacuum leaks. Hoses, gaskets, switch or a leaking valve. Start your search with a can of WD40, it has propane in it. When you find a leak, your RPM will increase. Bruce __________________ Works good Lasts long time

03-02-2015, 09:19 PM	#3
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,527	Re: vacuum Need a vacuum gauge.

03-02-2015, 11:43 PM	#4
ThomasN Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Spokane Wa. Posts: 271	Re: vacuum Thanks Bruce. I do have a vacuum gauge on shelf that I will try and see what it is. Thanks flatjack

03-03-2015, 07:03 AM	#6
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,754	Re: vacuum Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Vacuum sucks.

03-03-2015, 07:58 AM	#7
flatheadfan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Michigan Posts: 1,218	Re: vacuum Are you running a non-stock cam? Tom

03-03-2015, 10:20 AM	#8
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: vacuum Both the 49, and 53 Merc engines I got have dual action fuel pumps (fuel pump with a vacuum booster pump) ---did Ford use them too ---or as an option, I know it made a big difference in wiper operation in the 46 big truck---the wipers never stopped even running flat out up a big hill ---also I know back in the day the cheaper regular pump was used to replace the dual action when it failed

03-03-2015, 11:03 AM	#9
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: vacuum L-head engines don't make a lot of vacuum as a general rule. The booster fuel pump isn't a bad idea. You may also have a problem with the vacuum motor or the vacuum pressure circuit for it. Last edited by rotorwrench; 03-03-2015 at 11:28 AM.

03-03-2015, 11:08 AM	#10
ThomasN Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Spokane Wa. Posts: 271	Re: vacuum Not sure of cam, I don't know how to check that. The entire car was a basket case when I got it. I think it was upside down in a river at one time. Mud encased above windshield and rocker full of mud. Heads were in trunk, carb and intake in a box. No lip on cylinder walls so I felt it was worth a try to get it unstuck. Broken head bolt and bad auto transmission to boot. Now it runs very sweet and sounds like it may have a cam, or that may be attributed to headers and new exhaust. No smoke! When I cleaned out the fitting on carb, all I could get in there was an 1/8 bit and that small orifice seemed small to me