I may need to replace my idle 'kicker' solenoid. It controls vacuum to kick the idle up a little bit when the AC is on for example. This is on an '84 2.8L V6 application. I don't see it on any online parts databases. However I did notice the EGR solenoid appears to be IDENTICAL visually. Both are mounted on the LH valve cover. Q: Are these in fact the same/interchangeable? Here's an image of one:

No, very different, and shouldn't look anything alike. The throttle kicker solenoid shouldn't be mounted on teh valve cover it should be attached to the carb, directly.

You're thinking of the actual vacuum diaphragm kicker (mounted on the carb linkage) controlled by the the selenoid. I'm talking about the CONTROL solenoids that regulate vacuum to the diaphragm (or the EGR valve).

The two control solenoids (pictured above) are IDENTICAL on my 84 and we've owned it since new - these are as they left the factory. They are indeed externally identical in port layout, connector, polarity and mounting brackets. What I want to know is if their internal 'switching' is identical and if they are possibly ported or not differently internally. E.g. interchangeable or not?

I finally found out why my kicker wasn't functioning when the AC was on but otherwise worked. The troubleshooting chart in the FSM consistently led me to "OK". As it turned out the AC kicker relay was bad (a component the FSM's troubleshooter failed to take into account).

A new relay solved the problem.

FYI for future reference if anybody ever does need a kicker vacuum control solenoid - from what I can tell, A) they are not listed in any aftermarket parts databases and B) they are indeed identical to the EGR solenoid (which are commonly listed).

Weird....
Good info.