Accidental de-smog (broken vacuum switches)

[1911]

So I had a small weeping leak from one of the vacuum switches on the thermostat housing of my 1980 FJ40. No problem - take it out and wrap the tapered pipe thread with some teflon tape, right? Well, the plastic part of the switch that the vacuum lines hook on to was brittle from being baked by hot water in the housing, and the vacuum nipples fairly crumbled in my hand. This was late last night, so I taped the threads and put the switch back in, and lo - it runs better! The vacuum lines (wherever they go to) are just hanging and open right now. Guess it will be time to do a complete de-smog soon.

 

[Fast Eddy]

IMO, it will run better with the smog equipment intact and working properly. It will certainly smell better. If something is broken, fix it. All those little parts are available from Mark's off road and others. My '78 runs way better now that it passes CA smog. Before it had a Holley carb, dual 3-1 headers and was desmogged.

 

[1911]

Well, that's the problem - it's not working correctly and I'm unwilling to spend time and money to bring it back to 1980 standards when it runs better than it did before. I'm going to take off the air injection and the EGR at the very least. I can't imagine that 28-year-old rusted parts are doing anything for the atmosphere or my running efficiency. When I disconnected the EGR on my FJ80 after only ten years, it was clogged with carbon.

 

[Pin_Head]

It is a lot of work for no significant gain and if your truck is otherwise original, it will be worth more intact and functional.

 

[1911]

It is a lot of work for no significant gain and if your truck is otherwise original, it will be worth more intact and functional.

Not trying to be an ass about this or a broken record, but once again - there is already a "significant gain" just by disconnecting (breaking) two vacuum line connections. It runs and accelerates much better now.

I accede your point that the value of the truck would be worth more with all emission controls intact and functional; if I were considering selling the truck or making a 100% restoration this could well be a factor, but since I do not anticipate either it is a moot point.