ported vacuum switch

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old October 5th, 2007, 07:41 AM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
dan1s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 224
ported vacuum switch

On a ported vacuum switch for a 68' 442 does anyone know the setup (where each port goes)

I have the top port going to the distributor. The middle port going to the carburetor. And the bottom port going to the intake manifold.

Is this correct?

Thanks, Dan
dan1s is offline  
Old October 5th, 2007, 08:34 AM
  #2  
Past Administrator
 
Oldsguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Rural Waxahachie Texas
Posts: 10,042
do you mean the one pictured in this thread? https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...valve-vrv.html
or this thread? https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...2832-dtvs.html
Oldsguy is offline  
Old October 5th, 2007, 10:20 AM
  #3  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
dan1s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 224
Dan,

No to both of these threads. This switch is located at the front of the motor in the intake manafold. My car is a 1968 442 with a 400cid

Here is a picture of a new one.

wl2e940003.jpg
dan1s is offline  
Old October 5th, 2007, 11:13 AM
  #4  
Tom Servo's Stunt Double
 
texasred's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 889
If it is like the 69 (and I'm not saying for sure that it is) then the top port goes to the advance on the distributor; middle port to ported vacuum on your carburetor; bottom port to manifold vacuum forward and left of the carburetor.

C.J.

Last edited by texasred; October 5th, 2007 at 11:15 AM.
texasred is offline  
Old October 5th, 2007, 11:54 AM
  #5  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
dan1s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 224
C.J.

Thanks, welll it looks like mine is bad. I can't get any Vac. to the top port.

Why is it pulling vac. from the carb. and the manifold?

Dan
dan1s is offline  
Old October 5th, 2007, 01:37 PM
  #6  
Tom Servo's Stunt Double
 
texasred's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 889
It won't open to allow ported vacuum advance until the engine is warm, which is why it is in a water port, and it has manifold vacuum Try it again with the engine warm or you can just bypass it altogether.

C.J.
texasred is offline  
Old October 5th, 2007, 04:40 PM
  #7  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
dan1s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 224
C.J.

Thanks,

What is the purpose of it ported to the carb?

Dan
dan1s is offline  
Old October 5th, 2007, 06:00 PM
  #8  
Tom Servo's Stunt Double
 
texasred's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 889
Not sure, Dan. I got that bit of info from a post I copied a while back. I keep some strange info sometimes.....wish I knew/could tell you more.

C.J.
texasred is offline  
Old October 5th, 2007, 06:20 PM
  #9  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
dan1s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 224
C.J.

I just got this info from another forum that I belong to.

"During normal engine operation, the vacuum advance canister receives vacuum from the carburetor body, which means there is no vacuum advance at idle. When the engine is overheated (about 240°F), the switch connects the vacuum advance canister directly to manifold vacuum, which is supposed to raise idle speed, which is supposed to make the engine run cooler. Unless you need this part to have a "correct" restoration or have a very large camshaft, bypass it and connect the vacuum advance directly to the manifold."

So all my questions have been solved. Thanks

Dan
dan1s is offline  
Old October 6th, 2007, 08:19 AM
  #10  
Old(s) Fart
 
joe_padavano's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 47,446
Originally Posted by dan1s
C.J.
So all my questions have been solved. Thanks

Dan
Well, not quite...

Just for completeness, disabling of the vac advance at idle and small throttle openings was done in the late 1960s as an early way to comply with federal NOX emissions requirements. Unfortunately, this method also resulted in engine overheating, which is why the thermal vac switch was used to restore the advance at high engine temps. All this hardware became moot once EGR valves were mandated in 1973.
joe_padavano is offline  
Old October 7th, 2007, 04:10 AM
  #11  
Junior Member
 
88 coupe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Southern CA
Posts: 2,212
Originally Posted by joe_padavano
........ disabling of the vac advance at idle and small throttle openings was done in the late 1960s as an early way to comply with federal NOX emissions requirements ........
Your use of the word disabling, implies that Olds did not use ported vac advance prior to that time, which would not be accurate.

........ Unfortunately, this method also resulted in engine overheating ........
Nothing to do with ported advance. Everything to do with using less initial advance, at idle.

........ which is why the thermal vac switch was used to restore the advance at high engine temps ........
Make that, at high idle temps, as that was when the overheating might occur.

Norm
88 coupe is offline  
Old October 7th, 2007, 04:48 PM
  #12  
Junior Member
 
88 coupe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Southern CA
Posts: 2,212
Got sidetracked and forgot about the original topic.

Originally Posted by dan1s
........ which means there is no vacuum advance at idle ........
Which is the way it has always been done.

........ Unless you need this part to have a "correct" restoration ........
Doesn't matter matter whether it is bypassed or not.

The switch has no effect on the normal operation of the vacuum advance. It is only used if the car overheats at idle, due to inadequate initial advance.

........ or have a very large camshaft ........
If the cam is that large, the choice of vacuum source would be a non issue.

........ bypass it and connect the vacuum advance directly to the manifold ........
The factory used "ported" vacuum for a reason (actually two).

I suggest you compare both, to find out whether your "internet source" is more reliable than your Factory Service Manual.

Norm
88 coupe is offline  
Old February 10th, 2008, 09:33 AM
  #13  
Nordic Blue 442
 
Sam Barrett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Bronson, Florida
Posts: 41
If you go to Fusick and order the Maintenance manual for that year, it show specific set up instructions for the Distributor Vacuum Control Switch.

It varies for different years for example a '71 and '72 have a four port switch that uses the atmosphere, the manifold, the carb ported vacuum as well as thermal control and transmission control of the source for vacuum.
Sam Barrett is offline  
Old February 12th, 2008, 04:06 PM
  #14  
Registered User
 
liftrocket's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 3
I have a 72 Cutlass with a 350-4bbl. During a rebuild, the Distributor Vacuum Control Switch (four ports plus electrical connector) went missing. I have been trying to find one and have learned that it is nearly impossible to find a new one. Parts stores and catalogs point to the three port without electrical version. I have been looking for a diagram as to how to hook this up on my 72. My service manual shows how to hook up the original type nicely but not this simpler type.

On this new part (STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS Part # PVS1 {PORTED VACUUM SWITCH}), the ports are labelled from top to bottom "1", "D", and "2" and no documentation came with it. The mechanic I talked to thinks the bottom port goes to the manifold, the middle "D" port goes to the distributor, and the top port goes to a port on the carb (not sure which).

A pic of the new part can be found at http://thegraves.ca/72Cutlass/new.jpg

I would appreciate tips on how to hook up the hoses for this.

Thanks!
liftrocket is offline  
Old February 12th, 2008, 04:42 PM
  #15  
Seasoned beater pilot.
 
J-(Chicago)'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Chicago
Posts: 5,468
does this help? https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ol-switch.html

You can use the search link on this site to see if someone else has been through the problem once already.
J-(Chicago) is offline  
Old February 12th, 2008, 11:25 PM
  #16  
Registered User
 
liftrocket's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 3
That helps greatly. Thanks for doing what I should have done a better job at in the first place. :-)
liftrocket is offline  
Old February 18th, 2008, 11:41 AM
  #17  
Nordic Blue 442
 
Sam Barrett's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Bronson, Florida
Posts: 41
To find a used DVC switch try Bob Anderson in Tampa Fl 813-932-0108
Sam Barrett is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mongoose
Parts For Sale
11
March 24th, 2014 01:54 PM
Olds luvr
Small Blocks
37
April 4th, 2011 12:30 PM
1973olds98
Big Blocks
1
October 28th, 2009 07:32 AM
esisson
Parts For Sale
0
June 8th, 2008 07:59 PM
ct1979
Small Blocks
1
December 22nd, 2006 10:22 PM



Quick Reply: ported vacuum switch



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:43 AM.