Quick Questions: Crossmember and vacuum line

[Owenwalk]

I am finally getting the last bits of the installation of a new engine in my 55 Wagon and have a couple questions. The vacuum line for the vacuum advance is clogged at the carb end with what looks like a cotton packing and I cannot blow through it. I am guessing that is not supposed to be there. Am I correct that that line should be clear? Secondly, there is a bowed tube crossmember about 12 inches rear of the tranny crossmember. I do not see this on any other wagons and although it looks beefy and well made, I don't think it is original. Is it and is it worth putting back on?

 

[cactuspete2u]

Yes vac line should be clear. Don't know about other, sorry.

 

[Owenwalk]

Yes vac line should be clear. Don't know about other, sorry.

Thanks. One down, one to go.

 

[mickeykelley]

Try running a piece of weed eater string from the opposite end to push it out, if compressed air won’t work.

 

[Flinthillsben]

Yes, the cross member goes in. My wagon has it and it matches the diagrams and manuals I have from Willys. Bolt that sucker in.

 

[Vintage Don]

Try running a piece of weed eater string from the opposite end to push it out, if compressed air won’t work.

And If THAT doesn't work - try burning it out. Heat the tubing with a small propane torch or similar and make it real hot for a while - then see if the air or weed eater string will go through after it cools down.

 

[Owenwalk]

And If THAT doesn't work - try burning it out. Heat the tubing with a small propane torch or similar and make it real hot for a while - then see if the air or weed eater string will go through after it cools down.

Can't do that. It is rubber. I don't think it should be too difficult to clear. Here's a follow up question. Should this line be metal?

 

[Owenwalk]

Yes, the cross member goes in. My wagon has it and it matches the diagrams and manuals I have from Willys. Bolt that sucker in.

Will do, but it seems a strange design, even for Willys standards, the way it hangs down and limits ground clearance.

 

[Vintage Don]

Can't do that. It is rubber. I don't think it should be too difficult to clear. Here's a follow up question. Should this line be metal?

Yeah - probably not a great idea for rubber! Haha. Never thought about that possibility.... Mine is steel (obviously), on the Flathead 4 cylinder.

 

[Owenwalk]

Yeah - probably not a great idea for rubber! Haha. Never thought about that possibility.... Mine is steel (obviously), on the Flathead 4 cylinder.

Added to the list. Thanks

 

[Vintage Don]

I did not mean to imply that yours should necessarily be steel - I don't know what engine you have, nor therefore what would have been correct for it in 1955...

 

[Owenwalk]

I did not mean to imply that yours should necessarily be steel - I don't know what engine you have, nor therefore what would have been correct for it in 1955...

Its a 226, but logic tells me a metal line is a better choice for vacuum. And I don't get hung up on it being 100% correct, especially performance and safety. 98% is good'nuf.

 

[Flinthillsben]

Will do, but it seems a strange design, even for Willys standards, the way it hangs down and limits ground clearance.

Yep, it some models the parking brake cable pivots off that. The rest it was a brace/frame stiffener.

 

[Owenwalk]

Yep, it some models the parking brake cable pivots off that. The rest it was a brace/frame stiffener.

So what your saying is to leave it in for around town, and take it out when wheeling!

 

[Flinthillsben]

So what your saying is to leave it in for around town, and take it out when wheeling!

Bingo! Wink wink.

 

[mickeykelley]

Yes it should be metal for the 226

 

[Owenwalk]

Yes it should be metal for the 226

Thanks. It shall be so.