Last night I got a loud tapping sound kind of like metal to metal thing that seemed to be coming from the smog pump. I am probably going to take the belt off tonight to narrow it down. If it is bad, a new (remanufactured) pump from CSK online is $52, I have read the archives to see about removing the whole system and I figured the biggest advantage is cleaning up the engine bay. I am going to leave it to you guys, if the pump is bad do I remove the system or replace the pump. I don't have inspections right now, but being military that could change so I will be keeping the stuff in a box. By the way, it is a 1986 IROC with LG4 and Catco cat.

Mark

 

I' d pull it, you just have to get some brass caps for you exhaust manifold, or headers if you have them. If you want to keep the stock belt size then get the smog pump delete pulley, it will run you about 40 to 50 with shipping, but if not do a search and it you give you the right belt number to just take it out. Oh the other thing you have to do is to crimp off the little tube off the side of the cat too, cause its connected to the air pump. Thats about it.

 

You may have run across the thread I started on the same topic a week or so back. I'm gonna pull it (and I do have emissions testing). For now, I just took the belt off, like you said you are doing. I'll hold off on getting rid of it until I'm installing headers.

Oh yeah, being an 86, it's still a v-belt setup, so you don't have much to worry about there. You can just take off the belt that goes to it. Also, try a long screwdriver held against the air pump while the car is running. Listen to the handle. It'll let you know if it is definately the pump making the sound.

 

O.K., I am more than likely going to remove the system. I did a search and have found that some people say that the 8 plugs for the exhaust manifolds are 1/4" NPT and some have said 5/16" NPT (I thought they might be metric). Does anyone happen to know what size these plugs are so I can pick them up on the way home? They are tapered right? The car is a 1986 IROC with the LG4. Thanks!

Mark