I have the original smog system setup off my car. Although it's complete it does need to be restored, if that's possible. What can I do to make this system worthy of a show car? Also I've heard these make your car run like crap,how can I make the system nonfunctional?

Most of the guys that sell restored systems will restore your original one.

I've spoken to Jerry MacNeish at http://www.z28camaro.com/ and he will restore an original, clean it up, and apply the correct platings, etc.

Not sure about the Air Injection Reaction (aka SMOG) system affecting your car's performance, other than the A.I.R. pump takes some HP of the crank to turn. The system simply adds a little fresh air into the exhaust system to ensure completer burn of the hydrocarbons leaving the exhaust.

For my Chevelle, to reduce HP for the pump, I installed a cosmetically correct, but hollow pump. So appearance-wise - it looks completely correct, but doesn't rob power. I removed the exhaust manifold internal smog tubes...to reduce any add'l back-pressure in the exhaust flow. I also plugged-up the vacuum line from the carb to the A.I.R. diverter valve.


Hope this helps.

Hans

I installed a smog setup on my Z/28 but it is nonfunctional. Jerry M. gutted and refinished my pump. Insert a BB into the signal hose to the diverter valve right at the "T" fitting. Also, remove the extension tubes from the exhaust manifolds and plug the holes with some conical head screws.
I got all of this info from JohnZ. You can probably find his post somewhere around here.

As far as the 'I've heard they make your car run like crap' comment, FYI I ended up pulling everything off my engine a few years back because I could not get it to quit backfiring through the exhaust when I let off the throttle after getting into it. Maybe it just wasn't tweaked correctly, i don't know. All I know is that with the smog rails, diverter valve and pump removed, the problem went away. My manifolds weren't cracked, either. I have since pulled the manifolds in favor of headers, and have relegated all the smog stuff to a box in the garage.

As far as the 'I've heard they make your car run like crap' comment, FYI I ended up pulling everything off my engine a few years back because I could not get it to quit backfiring through the exhaust when I let off the throttle after getting into it. Maybe it just wasn't tweaked correctly, i don't know. All I know is that with the smog rails, diverter valve and pump removed, the problem went away. My manifolds weren't cracked, either. I have since pulled the manifolds in favor of headers, and have relegated all the smog stuff to a box in the garage.

That's because the rubber diaphragm in the diverter valve failed (as they all do eventually); when the diaphragm fails, the internal spool valve defaults to the open position 100% of the time, so the pump output goes to the air manifolds continuously instead of being diverted through the muffler on the valve at sudden high vacuum. That's what causes the "popping" in the exhaust system on decel. The failed diaphragm also becomes a massive vacuum leak through the signal hose to the carb. :thumbsup:

I would contact Jerry MacNeish, as stated above, and have him restore it and make it "non-functional". He restored one for me and it looks awesome.....like brand new! Maybe even a little better than new ;)

OK so can anyone give me a round figure on what it would cost to have a pump gutted? I just took the belt off mine when the valve quit working. Never really thought about the vacuum leak that would explain some other problems I am having!

OK so can anyone give me a round figure on what it would cost to have a pump gutted? I just took the belt off mine when the valve quit working. Never really thought about the vacuum leak that would explain some other problems I am having!

It cost me over $200 to have my pump rebuilt. You'll need to ask the rebuilder for a specific cost.

JohnZ, I remembered switching out my diverter valve for a new one at one point before I pulled everything, but I had the same result. Does that mean the new one was faulty, or could it have been something else? It's academic now, since it's off the car, but I'm still curious.

Since ASL(?) closed , is anyone actualy remaking any of this for our cars????

You can gut AND RESTORE the pump yourself - it is easy.

Pry off the back cover with 2 screwdrivers and a hammer.
Then I use a drill to drill off (Break) pieces of the fan unit untill it will come out the little hole. Make sure the cylinder turns freely, and all the pieces are removed. lube up the cylinder.

Then take a 1/4" pipe tap, and tap out the back of the smog holes on your exhaust manifolds - insert 1/4" pipe plugs.
put the whole thing back and you have a perfectly good/non functional smog system. Don't forget to plug the tube that goes to the carb.

Clean your pump housing with Allumijelly and a scrub brush. (home depot)
rince with water till perfectly clean.
Repaint the back cover black.

Look here for an example: My 69 pace car resto (http://broachbuster.com/id19.htm)

That pump was horrible before I started.

OR SEND IT TO ME I WILL RESTORE IT FOR YOU.
It only takes an hour or so.

Thanks for the info Jeff I will have to try that before I get the convertible back out this summer. I have been thinking about pulling it off and looking it over to see what it would take.I think I had it apart when I cleaned it up back in 85 when I did the restoration.By the way I looked at some of your cars on your web page and WOW lucky guy.

Pacecarjeff,
I also was sneaking a peak at your cars - very nice. Question - are you the original owner of the 69 Z? If not, how did you get the RPO equipment list for the car, and how would I go about getting one for mine?

No the car was restored with 29K miles back in 1976. Been a show car ever since.
I am pretty sure?? maybe?? likely?? - that some of those options were added later.

Don't have any paperwork. Those reflect the options that it currently has.
It has been like that since 1976 - I was the 4th owner.

I actually just sold that Z-car to a friend who had been pestering me for a long time. I can't bring myself to remove her yet - I guess I am going through Z-drawl. Very pretty car, very fast!!

For that car I just pulled a book, and listed "what she got now".
Other cars are the way they came.

Thanks!!