[Uncle Phil]

Another question on my 1977 Firebird Formula:

I would like to claen up the engine compartment some to have a little less "clutter" under there.

Are there any items that can be removed without affecting the perfomance (in a negative way...I'm all for helping to improve it).

Can things like the charcoal canister and a few of the other vaccuum attached items be removed?

I really need some suggestions how to clean this up some. I just want a little less clutter, and a few less vaccuum lines! <g>

Thanks for suggestions.
Phil

[Uncle Phil]

Another question on my 1977 Firebird Formula:

I would like to claen up the engine compartment some to have a little less "clutter" under there.

Are there any items that can be removed without affecting the perfomance (in a negative way...I'm all for helping to improve it).

Can things like the charcoal canister and a few of the other vaccuum attached items be removed?

I really need some suggestions how to clean this up some. I just want a little less clutter, and a few less vaccuum lines! <g>

Thanks for suggestions.
Phil

[Uncle Phil]

Going once...Going twice.....Once again:

Is there ANY advice on items that I can remove from the engine compartment that might help to cleanup and de-clutter? Get rid of some of the vaccuum lines? The charcoal cannister?

Just need some advice.

Thanks a million!!!

Phil

[zippy]

Are you governed by emmissions reg's where you live? If not, all that charcoal crap can come off no problem. I allways remove that stuff. The first thing I do to a car. One thing though, the gas nowadays has a higher evaporation rate. I do notice that carbs will loose there gas when sitting faster without the canister and crap. But it's nothing really, just evaporated out of the carb in a week or 2.

Get a open element air cleaner, if you don't have a shaker, which I see you have a formula so probibally don't. Just swapping the cleaner makes a dramatic visual change in my book. Also, get a set of cut to leingth plug wires and some loom's. Nothin says ugly like snaky plug wires.

Here's a pic of my TA all cleaned up

[Uncle Phil]

Thanks for the reply and the photo Zippy. This helps me alot. I already have put a different aircleaner on. It looks better. I still have the hose on the new aircleaner that connects into the valve cover. Can I get rid of that and just put a pop in breather (or vented) cap like you have?....That looks nicer.

I also see you have removed the A/C stuff. I'm thinking about that as well.

When you remove the cannister, what should (and where should) you plug off the connects?

Thanks for replying to this for me....The photo is great as well.

Phil

[zippy]

Yes, you can just add a breather cap in place of the tube to the cleaner. But keep the PCV valve. My AC was toast, no freon in it. I have just removed the lines right off the heater box and removed all the AC stuff from the car when I redid the nose. It used to be a 81, now it's a 78 I kept the box because I didn't have time to properly weld up the heater hole in the firewall. The AC and non AC car's have a little different hole in the firewall. So, I'm still stuck with the ugly box, but I sprayed it Satin black like the firewall and it doesn't stick out as much..

[doc9339]

Some other input: Carefully store the stock smog stuff. I hate all that smog stuff more than anyone, but having dealt with smog inspection folks for years (in NC, other states vary) be carefull that you keep it so you can put it back on for inspection

Even if your state does not have an inspection, be carefull. Its coming to all states soon, wether you like it or not, in one or all the forms below (depending on your year car)

Some folks are confused about "smog" or emmissions checks. (Im not talking safety inspection here, just smog crap)



1. A machine is hooked up to the tailpipe, and emissions are read by a machine. A visual inspecton is done as well under the hood and undercarraige to ensure all proper smog stuff s in place (cannisters, smog pump, catalytic converter, etc). A computer is also hooked up to your cars computer (if it has one) to ensure all is good, no mods. This is the worse of all inspections. And it takes about an hour to do all of it, Typically all of this category is only done to 96 and later models (as in NC)

2. Just a visual under hood and undercarriage for smog junk ONLY IF YOUR CAR ORIGINALLY CAME WITH IT (Just to be sure all the smog crap is there). And if your car has a computer, its read as well (In NC, checking your cars computer goes from when they first came out, till the present).

3. Depending on year, no visual or tailpipe emissions check

Now the above varies state by state. Some states dont have smog type inspections at all. Some only check back so far, BUT

Beleive me, states will all have some sort of smog check, sooner or later, in one of the top types I just mentioned. Whats bad is the EPA is pursuing this, not the state. And you know the deal on that.

Right now, if your 77 was in nc, you would have to have this:

Visual under the hood and undercarriage. What came from the factory smog wise must be there

I didnt have my charcoal cannister on my 83 Ford PU, and it wouldnt pass visual. So I just put in a upside down soda can, painted flat black, with dummy hoses coming out of it and routed itblind under the air cleaner base. And it then passed visual. Thanks God the converter was on it

Bottom line. If it came with smog stuff, keep it stored in boxes just in case. All the cannisters, hoses, valves, converters, y pipes, etc. The stuff is expensive, some arent made anymore, and sooner or later, its higly likely you are going to need it