31 Model A Vacuum Line
 

At the risk of receiving the wrath from some Ford Barners, I will make this post anyway.
The original vacuum line that came off the original body is plugged.

Is there a trick for unplugging the tubing?
Would it be better to try to manufacture/bend a now vacuum line?

Thanks,

Re: 31 Model A Vacuum Line
 

Run a small dia. wire through it. Or just buy an new one and bend it.


Mike

Re: 31 Model A Vacuum Line
 

Have you tried air pressure to clear line?

Re: 31 Model A Vacuum Line
 

Trying to blow it out with my air compressor was the very first thing that I tried.
Thanks,

Re: 31 Model A Vacuum Line
 

You can try running a very small dia music wire but there are some real tight bends. Wish I could be of better help.

Re: 31 Model A Vacuum Line
 

just go to NAPA and buy a brake line that size, and make a new one.

Re: 31 Model A Vacuum Line
 

I was successful in inserting a wire in both ends. It seems that the wires made it to the 90 degree bend. I then squeezed in BD Blaster thru the plastic straw. I had flow of the fluid, dripping out the other end.

So, what now do I do to increase the opening in the tube such that there will sufficient open size to allow the vacuum to operate the wiper?

Thank you for the help thus far.

Re: 31 Model A Vacuum Line
 

Maybe put a little propane torch heat to the bend and cook whatever is in there? Might make more trouble, or could get it crusty enough to poke out with the wire.

Re: 31 Model A Vacuum Line
 

Not knowing the size of the tubing, I'd suggest that maybe the frayed end of an old speedometer cable or similar could be inserted and spun w/a drill to chew it'as way through?

Re: 31 Model A Vacuum Line
 

a speedo cable will not make it around the corners. the vacuum line are the same size as the small brake lines. I just used up the last one I made on the 160C I just finished.

Re: 31 Model A Vacuum Line
 

Speedo cable is too fat to fit inside vacuum line

Re: 31 Model A Vacuum Line
 

Just a thought, might work - If you can get some fine sand into the line you could try to tamp it through with your wire. But if the clog is gooey you might just make it worse.

Re: 31 Model A Vacuum Line
 

Shoot some brake clean into it and blow out with compressed air. Tell us what comes out.

Re: 31 Model A Vacuum Line
 

I am away visiting my son, daughter-in-law, and new grandson.
Before I left, I was able to insert lockwire into both ends up to the 90 degree bend. I was able to squirt brake cleaner into the open end.
I got a flow of the brake cleaner out. The flow was a trickle. So, I do still have some restriction in the line.
When I get back, I will continue to try to clean it out. I will also purchase a fitting to attached to the compressor to try to blow some air through.

Thank you all for your help and suggestions.

Re: 31 Model A Vacuum Line
 

Might be a bug or three got sucked in when it was disconnected. Lye (Drano) would clear that.

Re: 31 Model A Vacuum Line
 

I solved a similar problem with picture hanging wire and Kroil...i inserted the picture hanging wire and when it stopped, i attached it to a reversing drill and pushed it on until it cleared...there were at least a dozen blockages in the pipe...after all complete, i got a small diameter plastic coated picture wire, pushed it through and then frayed the end then took about two hours to pull it slowly through thus having the effect of a wire brush...there was a hole in the line which was easily patched when i restored the tern coating by tinning the pipe with 30/70 solder. Heat applied to the pipe outside at stubborn spots seemed to help...it was a two person job...To patch the hole i rand the stranded wire back into the pipe with flux on the ends and then heated up the hole area and flowed the colder in...the frayed wire had the effect of a "solder sucker" and i pulled the solder right back out.

Re: 31 Model A Vacuum Line
 

If for some reason you want to save the original part you can try to find a long old style choke cable and remove the very stiff inner wiire and.try running that through the line. That wire can be forced through the line by holding it with a vice grip you can even tap the vice grip with a small hammer as needed. The end of the referenced wire can be used with either a sharp pointed or rounded off end. What ever works best. GOOD LUCK

Re: 31 Model A Vacuum Line
 

I had the same problem, mud dobers had plugged the wiper vacuum tube . I was able to clear it by poking through with the inner core of a bicycle brake cable.

Re: 31 Model A Vacuum Line
 

Mud Dober, sounds like something made up - googled it and leaned something new.:)

Re: 31 Model A Vacuum Line
 

How about using your MIG welding gun to push .023 wire thru it? Just put the tip up against the tube and pull the trigger.