(85 with the e4me and all computer and emissions stuff connected)

After wasting time and money on other things getting the car to dwell right, I had an "aha...duhhh" moment and tested and discovered the smog pump diverter valve isn't working. Both solenoids work, but the diaphram that decides if the air goes to the manifolds or to the cat is seized.

As a result, when the car is in closed loop, it sends air to the manifolds and confuses my oxygen sensor.

Took the diverter off, and after half an hour couldn't unstick the valve. It's frozen in the vaccuum-applied position. No leaks.

So until I can get this thing fixed (might have to break it open then epoxy it back together) or replaced, I have two choices. Remove the belt to the pump, or run the pump straight to the cat hose. Which plan is going to be safer for my cat? Will either work as a long-term solution without clogging my cat?

 

Taking the belt off is going to be a lot easier that rigging up special tubing for a "temporary" solution. It won't hurt the cat or anything else to deactivate the pump. It's purely an emissions device.

 

Actually, with the valve gone, the hose that went from the pump to the valve and the hose that went from the cat to the valve were right next to another. Simple matter of clamping in a 5/8 elbow. I did notice it got noisy (sounded like the pump straining) when I'd rev the engine that way, more air trying to go through that tube than normal maybe.

It would be nice to just remove the pump, but would not having air to it hurt the third stage of the cat? Not a chance as long as my carb is tuned correctly? The cat did have the tube capped when I bought it (somebody just had a pipe there) so maybe not.

This thread dissapeared, my cookies were doing something weird.