Topic: 1978 EFE/EGR Thermal Vacuum Switch info

[TransAmGuy]

Am I going crazy with my car restoration?  Am I getting too detailed?  What's the meaning of life?

I just bought this EFE/EGR TVS.   A 1978 T/A calls for part # 3039491.   The place I bought it from in California swears that this one is correct even though it is stamped with a different part # (3040871).   I went ahead and bought it because it's the correct color.      But I still am searching for the GM part.   Am I nuts?

[ta78w72]

If it's any comfort, I have the same configuration except the color is black.  I have an aftermarket one too though.

You're nuts....but in a good way.

[TransAmGuy]

If it's any comfort, I have the same configuration except the color is black.  I have an aftermarket one too though.

You're nuts....but in a good way.

I looked up 3040871.  It's intended for a 301 engine.   I'm thinking that if the operating temp is the same as the 400, it should be fine.  But I think I gotta root out the 3039491.  It just bugs me not having the correct part.

[Rick]

Uh-oh!  I smell a lot of money that's about to be spent!

[chris189]

Hey transamguy, where did you get that???  I have been looking for one for my '78 t/a 400 for a year!  That is exactly what I need.  Anyway, I am sure the operating temperature would be the same or very close.  If you don't want this one I will buy it from you!

[ta78w72]

Hey transamguy, where did you get that???  I have been looking for one for my '78 t/a 400 for a year!  That is exactly what I need.  Anyway, I am sure the operating temperature would be the same or very close.  If you don't want this one I will buy it from you!

Clean Air Products.  800 544-help.  They have all the smog parts for our cars.

[TransAmGuy]

Don't rush out and buy one yet.  It apprears the threads on this one don't match the threads in the intake manifold.  I'm going to run a tap into the intake to make sure there's nothing in there impeding the TVS but it only went in about 1/3 of the way before it "snugged" up.

[ta78w72]

Don't rush out and buy one yet.  It apprears the threads on this one don't match the threads in the intake manifold.  I'm going to run a tap into the intake to make sure there's nothing in there impeding the TVS but it only went in about 1/3 of the way before it "snugged" up.

I checked mine and it doesn't seat all the way, it's sticks up about an eighth of an inch....but that's much further than 1/3.

[TransAmGuy]

On my old intake, the TVS is all the way down.   I'd use it, but three of the four nubs are broken off.   I'm gonna call back on Monday and talk to the guy about it.  He seemed to be a helpful sort.

[TransAmGuy]

Tomco has a replacement part for 3040871.  It is Tomco part 13009.  It's $34 which is half what I paid for the part from Clean Air.  However, Tomco's part is black and the part I got from Clean Air is blue and GM.  I wanted blue.

http://www.tomco-inc.com/ProductDetailFromSearch.aspx?productId=12983       

[Burd Turd]

I had to add to this old post, I ordered the same blue valve off this guy also, and he never mentioned anything about it being for a 301, Watch ordering from clean air prod.

[Wallington]

Often the colours are different combinations of the same part, different temprature rates or springs rates inside, for different combinations. So if it's meant to be black I'd be looking for a black one for it to also function correctly, if only for looks...paint!

[Burd Turd]

This part is the same blue, luckily it has a diff part # melted into it, so I took it up to the chevy dealer, and it's for a 301, and a 151, the nut part on the bottom is chrome, where the orig ones are black, I have 1 orig 400 one left. the guy at clean air knows it's for a 301 but tells you its for a 400, I just sent it back and the egr trans, was wrong too,I'm done w/ this guy. I would imagine other people on this forum got the same part, it came up on a thread a while back.

[Wallington]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/PORTED-SWITCH-BUICK-403-1978-FIREBIRD-400-403-1977-1978-/310331462078?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item48413251be

[Burd Turd]

Cracks me up, that switch is $23 at auto zone!!