Are these thermal reactors? can anyone point out?

[Tarek307]

Hey guys, my friend is looking to buy a 1977, he caught the bug from me..i'm going to help him check out the car- Just wanted to know if this car still has the thermal reactors...and can anyone tell me where they are exactly, i searched but couldn't get a clear understanding. are they those tubes?

The car has 115k if it still has thermal reactors, how did it last this long? I thought if a 2.7 still had these they usually would have died by now..

Would be great if someone saves the pic and annonates with arrow as to which part they are. Thanks

[juanbenae]

yes

[Tarek307]

Originally Posted by juanbenae

yes

oh oh!

[Tarek307]

so are these the thermal reactors i have arrows pointing to?

[Buckeye]

Yes

[ossiblue]

As already posted, yes, those large cylinders are the thermal reactors. Additionally, the car still has the EGR plumbing from the muffler and the spider web plumbing for the smog pump from the exhaust ports.

Why hasn't the engine died? Maybe it has been rebuilt already with time certs so any problem with pulled studs has been addressed. Maybe the engine was never allowed to get too hot and the stud issue never arose. Without additional history, everything is just speculation. Shots of the engine bay will help us determine if any upgrades have been made as well. Oil leaks, or lack thereof, along with a compression check/leak down test will help reveal the general health of the engine.

Your friend has a red flag waving in the presence of all the emission equipment, but it is not necessarily a sure sign of trouble. The fact that all equipment appears to be intact and maintained, could indicate a very cautious and conscientious owner who has kept the engine original and healthy. That is a plus. Further investigation is definitely warranted.

One other after thought. It's possible the owner gutted the reactors and they are there just to pass inspection. A lot depends on the location of the vehicle, the severity of the smog rules, and the owner's intentions.

[Tarek307]

Originally Posted by ossiblue

As already posted, yes, those large cylinders are the thermal reactors. Additionally, the car still has the EGR plumbing from the muffler and the spider web plumbing for the smog pump from the exhaust ports.

Why hasn't the engine died? Maybe it has been rebuilt already with time certs so any problem with pulled studs has been addressed. Maybe the engine was never allowed to get too hot and the stud issue never arose. Without additional history, everything is just speculation. Shots of the engine bay will help us determine if any upgrades have been made as well. Oil leaks, or lack thereof, along with a compression check/leak down test will help reveal the general health of the engine.

Your friend has a red flag waving in the presence of all the emission equipment, but it is not necessarily a sure sign of trouble. The fact that all equipment appears to be intact and maintained, could indicate a very cautious and conscientious owner who has kept the engine original and healthy. That is a plus. Further investigation is definitely warranted.

One other after thought. It's possible the owner gutted the reactors and they are there just to pass inspection. A lot depends on the location of the vehicle, the severity of the smog rules, and the owner's intentions.

Thanks Ossie, here is a pic of the engine bay

[ossiblue]

You also have the smog pump, in tact, and it looks as if the pressure-fed tensioner upgrade has been installed--good sign. Looks like a well maintained and cared for engine/vehicle, at least from the pics you've posted.

[tcar]

Originally Posted by Tarek307

Thanks Ossie, here is a pic of the engine bay

Also, the fan has been upgraded from the stock 5 blade unit to an 11 blade unit.

That's good.

[Tarek307]

Thanks everyone

[vintagecarlover]

What year cars had the thermal timebombs? 74-77?

[TRE Cup]

For sure 1976-77 2.7 models. I think California had them for 1975 as well. A lot of people removed them and installed shorty headers that connected to the oe heater boxes.
The 1976-79 turbo has them as well, but with a square 4 hole flange instead of the 3 hole. It was a terrible pre cat era idea

[grant lyon]

Owner may have installed the TR just to pass smog & sell the car -- check how fresh the hardware (screws/nuts) at the exhaust to TR interface. Browned/baked oil on bottom of heat exchangers says the engine was leaking oil at some point if not now.

[Tarek307]

Originally Posted by grant lyon

Owner may have installed the TR just to pass smog & sell the car -- check how fresh the hardware (screws/nuts) at the exhaust to TR interface. Browned/baked oil on bottom of heat exchangers says the engine was leaking oil at some point if not now.

Thanks- Owner wanted way too much for the car so we passed on it.

[djdsc]

Swell. Now the Calif. ARB has a photo of the previously extinct TR's and knows what to look for.