Removing Smog/Air Pump on 79' SC. Tips?

[hoff944]

Since my car passed emissions with flying colors without my smog pump belt on, I'm going to remove it. My mech that did my PPI said he hasn't seen a smog pump on an SC in Tennessee in a long time. I figured it would free up the drivers side of my engine compartment since the passengers side is already freed up. I've researched some threads on the removal and I think I'm just going to remove the pump itself and plug it. I don't want to have to remove the left exchanger since I read what John Walker wrote about the studs possibley breaking. When I go to SSI's I'll plug the injector ports. That said, I read about having to replace some bolts in the drivers side chain covers. Do I have to do this if I leave the mounting base in there? Anything else I should know?

PS: If anyone wants my York or condensor for postage, they can have it. I'm going to gut the rest of the A/C as well. Just let me know.

[CarreraS2]

You shouldn't leave the mounting bracket in if you remove the pump! The bracket is ugly, and will be even more ugly when it's sitting there holding nothing.

You can simply unscrew the two studs, take them down to your hardware store, and match up a couple of bolts.

If you don't want to take the studs out, you can use spacers and put the nuts on top of the spacers. Or, even washers, although spacers or washers won't be as clean as a bolt.

While you are at the hardware store, you can get 2 plastic plugs. One for the line going to the air injectors and the other for the hole that is right next to it on the lower sheetmetal. When you take the pump off, you'll see these two spots - very obvious. (Right below the pump, on the engine sheet metal, in the engine compartment).

You'll also have a vacuum line that you should probably plug.

That's it. It's not as complicated as it sounds, just start ripping it out and you'll see what I mean.

[hoff944]

Thanks SoCal. That is the info I was looking for. Man, that took about 10 minutes for a response. Much props. Maybe I can be of assistance to someone someday. I'm probably going to tackle this tommorrow before do my oil change and valve addy on tuesday.

[TerryH]

Here's mine sans smog pump. Ugly bracket stays as I have to put the pump on every 2 years. Found a plastic cap off a brake fluid bottle that snapped on to cover air pump port. It's ugly too. Maybe I'll paint it black.

[CarreraS2]

Here's without the bracket. It's only about 15 minutes more work than leaving the bracket on.

You can see the two hex head bolts, and one of the two plastic plugs. The other plug is the same size, right next to it, but you can't see it in the pic.

[CarreraS2]

one more

[gerard vaglio]

Excuse me, but isn't there suppose to be dirt, oil or a little dust on your engine? Or were these pictures taken in 1979?

[TerryH]

Originally posted by gerard vaglio
Excuse me, but isn't there suppose to be dirt, oil or a little dust on your engine? Or were these pictures taken in 1979?

No kidding. I don't think mine looked that good in 1981.


Did you just put that motor together, Brian? It looks spotless.

[hoff944]

I was also thinking of cleaning my engine, but now I have an unobtainable image in my head as to how a clean engine should look. I'll have to drop my engine to get that look. Thanks Brian.

[CT944]

hmm. i may take this approach. remove the air pump and plug the air line without removing the air injectors. i went under the car this weekend and removing the left exchanger looks like a risky task.

not performance related, but I want the air pump out for better access and less clutter.