[ELLI]

After recently getting my 70 ss on the road full time, I noticed that the cowl hood door does not seem to move very much. I checked all of the vacuum lines and found that the one going to the actuator was leaking so I thought that might be the problem, so I put a spring clamp on it. Now it just goes fully shut when I start the motor up and does not move until I shut the motor off. Can somebody tell me a way to get more movement out of the door. It is connected directly to the manifold and has the check valve installed with the gold side to the engine per the instructions. Mat ACES #2424

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[DZAUTO]

Mat,
First of all, with the engine running and the door shut, reach over and pull the hose off the vacuum pod (not the manifold) and see if it snaps open when you pull the hose off and then closes S-L-O-W-L-Y when you put the hose back on. If it snaps shut, that would indicate that it may be the valve inline with the hose. It's critical that the valve be in proper working order for the door to open-close as intended. If the door works properly per the above procedure, but not when driving, maybe you're not sticking your foot in it enough. Especially if it is automatic. If it is a 4sp, stick your foot in it about 20mph with the tranny in 4th gear. Let us know what happens.

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[Alan F]

I had a similar problem once. The cowl door would work properly while the hood was open. The vacuum hose was being pinched when the hood closed - just a shared experience.

 

[Jim Humphrey]

I'm with Alan. Had the same problem, the hose was getting pinched closed between the hood and the cowl seal. Eventually I took a piece of hard plastic tubing, cut the hose where it passed over the cowl seal, put the plastic tubing about two inches into both ends of the hose and then forced them together. Had to look close to tell the hose was cut, and problem was solved.

 

[Walker]

On the passenger side of the hood, about a foot and a half from the center, near the weather strip there should be an indention with two small holes on either side. This accomidates the passage of the vacuum line into the engine compartment. A small plastic brace fits into the holes and keeps the hose in place. I bought my hood form a local chevelle/el camino supplier and it didn't have this plastic piece. I found that a plastic zip tie worked perfect.

If the problem is that small flow valve, you got an easly fixable problem. That valve is no longer in production and can't be found anywhere. However DZAUTO has fab'ed a replacement that is easy to make and cost me less than $15.00. It works like a champ. Check it out.

 

[DZAUTO]

Mat,
Have you heard anything lately on 266?

Sorry, I forgot to mention anything about the pinched hose. Walker is right. Been there, done that one.

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[This message has been edited by DZAUTO (edited 07-07-99).]

 

[ELLI]

The hose is running through the indentation the hood correctly, and what I found that works great for a strap to hold it in place is one of the wiring harness straps that go into the little hole in your left side inner fenders. I just looked athe the hose and it looks like it may have been pinched, so I guess this will give me an excuse to go out at hot rod around at little bit. And hey Tom no I hav not heard anything about 266 latley but I just got home from work and I din not see her sitting on the ramp. Mat ACES #2424

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[DZAUTO]

Mat,
Are you coming down with the crew to take her home? Next time I'm at 25k for gas I'll be looking for 266. I'll lean over the left seat and wave.

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