Hope someone can help me with this. I am cleaning up the balance tube and welding close the unneccessary vacuum ports. I should only need 2, correct?One for the pcv and one for the vacuum booster. I have seen the some where the booster line came off the end of tube, I wonder how they came up with the hose for that or was it just trial and error to find one? If anyone can think of any other vacuum requirements please chime in.

That should do it, unless you have an automatic. I'm using the two you mention, plus a third for the vacuum kickdown on the automatic. When I swap in the 4 speed, I'll be down to just two also.

You might consider plugging the holes with a threaded plug instead of welding them closed. You should be able to get the proper size & thread plugs at a good hardware store. A bit of teflon tape on the threads will get them to seal up good.

I've got a '73 with a balance tube from a '71. Everything plugged except the port for the PCV valve and the brake booster/automatic transmission kick down, which use the same port. The fitting screwed into the balance tube connects to the brake booster hose and has a tee for the transmission kick down hose.

Here are a couple of pictures for you.

The E46 balance tube like this one is what we deal with most commonly in America as the casting provides mounting for emissions hardware. The vacumn tube comes off the end of mine. It is the early type. Later models of the Z have the vacumn tube takeoff on the top of the balance tube. The hose for the brake booster is different. Plugs for the vacumn line fittings are pretty easy to find. These are brass plugs.

The E41 balance tube is what came on cars without emissions hardware. Here are two variants. One fits the vacumn line off the end of the tube and the other has fittings on top of the tube. It should also be noted that the hose fitting that screws into the manifold is machined for a restricted oriface.

Kenny,

why wouldn't I weld them shut to clean up the balance tube, I am polishing that and the intake?

And 26th-z, How would I get a hold of the END hose that went on the e-41 tube.And what did you mean by this

" It should also be noted that the hose fitting that screws into the manifold is machined for a restricted oriface."

Here are some pics of my modified balance tube. We simply welded everything up and I ground her down to the minimum size and had her polished. It is like the European balance tube. I know they make vacuum lines for the tube end but the stock upper line is readily available. That is why I stuck with stock.

Hi Steve, weld away! Your initial post mentioned nothing about welding up the unused ports and polishing the intake & balance tube. Now I understand.

Loren, those pics of your engine, intake & carbs look fantastic! I really like the look of all that cad plating! Do the headers have that jet hot coat that keeps them shiny looking?

I got the headers from Motorsports. It is what they call "Aerospace Thermal Coating". It looks like it is chromed but stays that way after running. It looks just like it did when it came from them. I am impressed with this coating. It still looks good after driving the car 150 miles. They had a deal on these headers earlier in the year. I recommend this process.

Thanks for noticing the plating. If it wasn't plated or powder coated, it was painted.

Zsaint,

when you polished out your intake and balance tube did you clear coat them?I am looking into a powder coat clear. I am going to see how much it dulls the finish. I would live with a dullness for not having to re-polish the intake. Also, did you do the plating or have it done somewhere? By the way , everything looks fantastic. I hope mine turns out that good

steve

Yes, I did clear-coat all of the polished aluminum. I think powder coating them would be the correct way to go. I was in a hurry so I just sprayed them. I had everything done at a plater in Portland, Oregon.

After extensive research, I'm finishing up my balance tube, as I just finished replacing my old exhaust manifold, and while everything was off, decided to remove the smog pump (which hasn't worked in 10 years anyways)...

Anyways, after cleaning up the intake manifold and the balance tube, above is mentioned spraying the parts with a clear spray to keep them looking good.

Can anyone reply with what kind of spray this is and where I should go to get it? Any retail stores? or links to online?

I would appreciate it, as I'm polishing a bit of items and it would be nice to maintain that.

Thanks for reading.

Anyone interested in extra smog parts from a 10/71 car and/or original hose clamps, give me a holler. I have the vacuum access plugs from the balance bar as well...

I used Krylon clear for my '71. I coated the aluminum and the plated parts. It will take a lot to break this coat down. I think we will never live to see the day that these parts start to deteriate. The first car I restored I did not do this trick. The aluminum parts started fading after a couple of years. Oxidation takes it toll without the clear sealer.