what gauges do u have?
Legend
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,663
Likes: 8
From: Central Oklahoma
It's a long list, but right off the top of my head: Burnt valves, weak valve springs, sticky valves, worn valve guides, bad valve stem seals, leaking piston rings (or really worn out motor oil), ignition problems, restricted exhaust system, sloppy timing chain... the list goes on. It's well worth having and learning to proficiently use a vacuum gauge, alongside a tachometer, and in conjunction with a compression tester. You can discover a lot about what's going on from the pistons upward in an engine with just those few cheap tools.
Even if you don't learn all about vacuum testing and results interpretation right away, if you have a gauge permanently connected and become accustomed to what's normal for your engine you can spot not-normal even before you get enough seat of the pants feel to become concerned.
Check this out for a quick introduction with cool animated GIF's.
Even if you don't learn all about vacuum testing and results interpretation right away, if you have a gauge permanently connected and become accustomed to what's normal for your engine you can spot not-normal even before you get enough seat of the pants feel to become concerned.
Check this out for a quick introduction with cool animated GIF's.
Very cool. How do you have the gauge connected?
Grand Champion
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,011
Likes: 6
From: Meeker, CO
Right now mine's connected to the inside of the package it came in. 
I haven't had the opportunity to install it as it's waiting for the dash/heater core job. As long as I'm going to have the dash out anyway it seems the ideal time to plumb all six add-on gauges and do a nice neat proficient job of it.
When it goes in I'm going to make use of an unused/plug port on the intake manifold. There's one just below and in front of the port that sucks on the brake booster that's just sucking a plug now.
I'm feeling low tech and poor being without one since buying the truck. Every vehicle I've owned for the past 20 years has been 4WD and sporting a vacuum gauge, e-fan(s), and a few other goodies that I always add. Prior to that, every vehicle I owned and liked had a vacuum gauge in it. With an automatic transmission I don't mind being without a tachometer, but without a vacuum gauge? That's just plain damned hillbilly 5h17. 
I haven't had the opportunity to install it as it's waiting for the dash/heater core job. As long as I'm going to have the dash out anyway it seems the ideal time to plumb all six add-on gauges and do a nice neat proficient job of it.When it goes in I'm going to make use of an unused/plug port on the intake manifold. There's one just below and in front of the port that sucks on the brake booster that's just sucking a plug now.
Last edited by UnregisteredUser; Nov 17, 2011 at 02:17 PM.
Champion
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 3
From: Cape Carteret NC
for what it's worth, I intercepted the brake booster, and used the 'T' fitting there.. it's right there as you exit the firewall, so it was an easy reach, with at least two or three inches of slack.
Legend
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,663
Likes: 8
From: Central Oklahoma
Right now mine's connected to the inside of the package it came in. I haven't had the opportunity to install it as it's waiting for the dash/heater core job. As long as I'm going to have the dash out anyway it seems the ideal time to plumb all six add-on gauges and do a nice neat proficient job of it.
When it goes in I'm going to make use of an unused/plug port on the intake manifold. There's one just below and in front of the port that sucks on the brake booster that's just sucking a plug now.
I'm feeling low tech and poor being without one since buying the truck. Every vehicle I've owned for the past 20 years has been 4WD and sporting a vacuum gauge, e-fan(s), and a few other goodies that I always add. Prior to that, every vehicle I owned and liked had a vacuum gauge in it. With an automatic transmission I don't mind being without a tachometer, but without a vacuum gauge? That's just plain damned hillbilly 5h17.
I haven't had the opportunity to install it as it's waiting for the dash/heater core job. As long as I'm going to have the dash out anyway it seems the ideal time to plumb all six add-on gauges and do a nice neat proficient job of it.When it goes in I'm going to make use of an unused/plug port on the intake manifold. There's one just below and in front of the port that sucks on the brake booster that's just sucking a plug now.
I'm feeling low tech and poor being without one since buying the truck. Every vehicle I've owned for the past 20 years has been 4WD and sporting a vacuum gauge, e-fan(s), and a few other goodies that I always add. Prior to that, every vehicle I owned and liked had a vacuum gauge in it. With an automatic transmission I don't mind being without a tachometer, but without a vacuum gauge? That's just plain damned hillbilly 5h17.
Grand Champion
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,011
Likes: 6
From: Meeker, CO
I can do it, would enjoy doing it, just don't know that it's something that might get moved into the DIY section. Any modder-haters wanna chime in and provide guidance?
Legend
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,663
Likes: 8
From: Central Oklahoma
I can do it, would enjoy doing it, just don't know that it's something that might get moved into the DIY section. Any modder-haters wanna chime in and provide guidance?
Grand Champion
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,011
Likes: 6
From: Meeker, CO
Oh, that stuff! That'd be some big write-up, what with two pods and six gauges (two of them likely superfluous, front and rear diff temp) going in. Could be fun, though I might go a mite overboard with it if I don't talk myself out of some of the stuff that's rattling around in this big ole empty head of mine. Which doesn't seem likely at all.
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All Star
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: bellingham wa
yeah i found the 4 vac ports.. but there all have something attacedt o them... i'm guessing it would be okay to put a T in the line and hook the Vacuum gauge up like that?
