help removing smog pump solenoids

[Pur Pony]

just removed the smog pump on my car (1989 5.0). I am interested in removing as much of the vacuum valves as possible. I did a search but no one ever talks about removing the solenoids-

I have removed the main two large valves (Diverter Valve and Bypass valve that were directly hooked to the smog pump/heads/h-pipe. Heads have been plugged.

What about the two solenoids on the rear pass strut tower brace that the vacuum goes through first on the way to the other two vavles I just removed....

the Thermastor Air Diverter Solenoid and the Thermactor Air Bypass Solenoid

Can these just be removed??? If they are unplugged will the engine through any codes and have running issues?

 

[jb89coupe]

I have a friend who removed those and his CEL is constantly on, and the computer spits codes 44/94. I just snipped and capped my vacuum lines after the solenoids and I never see a CEL or throw any codes.

EDIT: twin turbo notch, huh? In CT? Where about? I'm in Stratford.

 

[fiveohGT]

is there a tech article on how to remove all of this stuff. Also, is it possible to pass emissions without the smog pump

 

[BlackFox5.0]

Why are you removing everything? It's not like it hurts performance. I removed mine because my intake doesn't support EGR, But I can also disable all of my emissions equipment so I dont have any check engine light.

 

[h8louzn]

If they worked and you remove them please let me know as I need them to pass smog.

 

[chedda90GT]

hey im in the middle of tearing out the smog pump and i was just wondering what you used to plug the check valves on the back of the cyl heads

 

[Pur Pony]

Im in Lebanon, CT....


I also just removed my EGR... I am removing them for a cleaner engine bay. I bought the plug in dummy plug and resistor so the computer reads that the egr is still there.

 

[mustangjoe87]

what is the thread size for the back of the heads? i am doing this project soon (my smog pump locked up) and i would like to know.

 

[BlackFox5.0]

You can buy plugs from your Ford dealership, which I paid $23 for, and i couldn't get them in because the holes are so carboned up, and the heads are on the car still. I just cut that rail and pinched the rest of the tube on the part that bolts to the head, and welded it so it'd seal, and put it back on the head. I only did this to one side as the plug on the passenger side went in about 1/8", heh.

 

[mustangjoe87]

are they ford only or what? do you know the thread size so i can by them from the hardware store?

 

[Pur Pony]

i bought the plugs from ford for my old car... but i dont remember the thread size. I took the tube off the back of my heads and cut the ends off... welded the holes closed and bolted them back on just like stock....

The carbon builds up in those holes and its a pain to clean out and get the plugs in.

 

[BlackFox5.0]

The threads are pretty damn course, I don't think you can simply put a bolt in there, otherwise people wouldn't be buying the plugs.