running a vacuum pump

[DarkoStoj]

I dont know too much about running them. Do engines have to be built specifically to run them or can you put them on any conventional engine?

I'm running COP with the new engine and don't want to have valve cover breathers, plus I've heard vacuum pumps can make the engine run much better and pick up a decent amount of horses. It would be clean since I could just run a -12 from the mech fuel pump blockoff and hide a lot of the stuff out of the way.

Is it worth to run or no? How are they on a 95% street car? Its going to be a pain to get it mounted and the pully set up since I don't have much room up front, but sounds like it may be worth it.

 

[camaromann]

There is FAR to much info to type about this subject. If i were using a pump on my street car I would first make sure the rest of the motor was sealed up right.... Examples are the dip stick would be plugged and sealed off, same with valve covers which I see you mentioned. Then you would get into your actual valve guides, your valve seat material and angle, your piston rings thickness, material, and gap, then you piston design and wall clearence. All of this is crucial in aiding a vacuume pump. If your set on using one one your street car I would just look at an electric pump instead of a belt or gear drivin pump. Vaccume pumps will help you make more HP, will let the motor idle cleaner, rev faster, and ring seal will improve greatly.

 

[Billydroveit]

Not to mention i don't think you can put the pick up where the fuel pump block plate goes...too much oil sling there and would be sucked up. Valve covers are used as a high point of pick up and sometimes even need to have a baffeled fitting installed to keep it from picking up oil. And i agree an electric one may be more suited for your app. Or instead of breathers, install (depending on valve covers) a baffeled AN fitting on teh rear of the cover and run to a TEE into a vented catch can. Cleans up alot, and keep the oil away from the tops of the covers. remote mount the can and only have the hoses to look at.

 

[DarkoStoj]

How often do the puke tanks fill up if they are properly baffled? I did think about running 2 -12 lines from the back of the valve covers.

 

[camaromann]

How often do the puke tanks fill up if they are properly baffled? I did think about running 2 -12 lines from the back of the valve covers.

If you end up running a pump you should put 1 in each valve cover and 1 in valley portion of your manifold behind the carb base ( if your set up permits this ). Or in addition to valve cover fittings to the pump you can put a K&N style tiny breather in the valley portion of your manifold. Depending on how you baffle it and your exact set up you may need to drain it every few miles or every few times you drive it. Regardless I empty mine everytime I shut the car down for the day.

 

[Billydroveit]

If you end up running a pump you should put 1 in each valve cover and 1 in valley portion of your manifold behind the carb base ( if your set up permits this ). Or in addition to valve cover fittings to the pump you can put a K&N style tiny breather in the valley portion of your manifold. Depending on how you baffle it and your exact set up you may need to drain it every few miles or every few times you drive it. Regardless I empty mine everytime I shut the car down for the day.

Correct me if i'm wrong, you're talking a vccuum pump with this statement?

I think that question was more aimed at the two hoses to a breather tank system??

 

[Billydroveit]

How often do the puke tanks fill up if they are properly baffled? I did think about running 2 -12 lines from the back of the valve covers.

To just a breather tank? I would think if the set up was righ, and baffeled and the engine was working good it shouldn't fill up at all during summer use. Of course depending on what size can you have. But i'm sure if you had a can the size of a pint or so it would be fine and probly e\mpty it every month depending on how often you drive. I would guess if you're filling up an open air breather tnak style system you have a major failure somewhere.

 

[camaromann]

Correct me if i'm wrong, you're talking a vccuum pump with this statement?

I think that question was more aimed at the two hoses to a breather tank system??

Yes I was talking about the AN fittings, 1 in each cover.... Sorry. I should just post pics of one of our race motors or my motor.

 

[beertestr]

I dont know too much about running them. Do engines have to be built specifically to run them or can you put them on any conventional engine?

I'm running COP with the new engine and don't want to have valve cover breathers, plus I've heard vacuum pumps can make the engine run much better and pick up a decent amount of horses. It would be clean since I could just run a -12 from the mech fuel pump blockoff and hide a lot of the stuff out of the way.

Is it worth to run or no? How are they on a 95% street car? Its going to be a pain to get it mounted and the pully set up since I don't have much room up front, but sounds like it may be worth it.

Sounds like you want to run a vacuum pump just so you don't need breathers. You could just do a valley based PCV system. All you are trying to do with a PCV system is to keep blowby from building pressure in the crankcase. If you baffle it right, a valley system can do that with minimal oil pullover. Add a single puke tank with a drain back into the back or front of the intake, and you are in good shape. No need for external filters, pull your fresh of the clean side of an air cleaner base, pull out of the valley with a baffle, hook to the vacuum side of the intake. If you run boost, you might consider baffles on both lines, as the system will flow in reverse under boost vs when pulling vacuum. Keep in mind that that you need to be thoughtful on sizing your lines, as the air circuit is air going into the motor. Size too big, and you will end up with a high idle