AIR Diverter Valve

[crazedyak]

My AIR diverter valve is cracked, and currently being held together with a zip-tie. Not really sure it is 100% effective in its current condition.

First off. Is this part mandatory. Replacement for my 87 350 TBI K5 is $220ish. Damn expensive part, that I'm not convinced I need.

I read several other threads where people deleted the valve and capped the hoses. Does this have any negative affects, such as gas mileage and rough idle/running. Are there any known/suspected long term affects of removing the valve?

 

[Big Ray]

My AIR diverter valve is cracked, and currently being held together with a zip-tie. Not really sure it is 100% effective in its current condition.

First off. Is this part mandatory. Replacement for my 87 350 TBI K5 is $220ish. Damn expensive part, that I'm not convinced I need.

I read several other threads where people deleted the valve and capped the hoses. Does this have any negative affects, such as gas mileage and rough idle/running. Are there any known/suspected long term affects of removing the valve?

you're good, kinda...


if it's on there it has to work...BUT, if it's not there, it's no big deal.

Lose the smog pump, all related A.I.R. hardware, put on some non smog headers and you'll be good.

Disclaimer: I grew up up there, but I moved here in '96. so as far as I know they still don't smog test up there...

 

[Blue85]

Why not just grab a decent valve from a junkyard?

 

[Stomis]

Why not just grab a decent valve from a junkyard?

Or just delete the AIR system. if you're worried about the atmosphere replace your CAT with a more modern replacement thats efficient enough w/o the AIR.

 

[Blue85]

I guess I agree that the A.I.R. isn't worth putting much money into. So long term, deleting it makes sense, especially since it lets you run standard headers and such. But since you need a new cat ($80?) and a trip to the exhaust shop ($50?), some way to plug the holes and the work of modifying the vacuum system, it can be quicker and cheaper in the short run to fix it. On the bright side, most of the pumps ran on their own belt, so there are no new belts or rerouting required.

I'm just going on the assumption that the only problem is this valve and that a lot of scrap yards would let you take one for $5-$10. I surely wouldn't pay $225. Somebody here may have an extra one to sell you anyway. I think I threw mine away.