The 'E' Type Forum

Hi
Could anyone advise please. I am putting in the vacuum pipe in my 66 4.2 roadster and converting to rhd

I have read that 2 vacuum pipes are required, although various ‘kits’ donot show this and would no doubt be a nightmare if required and not doing full rebuild as I am!

Would I be sensible to put both pipes in"......the one I have is the straight one. A lower one would need to be kinked I presume to avoid the lower water pipe?

Many thanks

Paul

yes

I wish I had added both when I did mine and was replacing both bulkhead water pipes.
At the time I did not appreciate that both the 2 vac pipes would go inside bulkhead.
Ended up with a larger copper pipe bent around the back of the engine from servo to vac tank. (not pretty)
The following winter when I had the engine out, the first job in engine room was to improve and tidy up this vac pipe, it remains routed round the engine but is now neat, tidy and looks normal.

The new internal bulkhead pipes arrive correctly bent with the flanges and external plate.
Best do the 2 water pipes while you are in there skinning your knuckles.
You will have seen the water pipes are the top ones.

Hint. I ended up removing the wiper motor, frame and arms to improve access.
Kids are useful too.

Some say this is the worse job on our E Types.

From my experience doing exactly as you are planning I replaced all pipes (water and vacuum) if converting from LHD you will need the extra pipe.
Lots of threads on how to fit these and the correct order in which they should be done.
Google “ Chris Vine e type” as this blog has some great info on how to do this task. Personally I feared the worst having read how challenging this can be but in effect it wasn’t to bad.


Tim

Thanks you for your replies

Not too sure which to order as I don’t know whether I have the upper or lower pipe!

Are they differently shaped. Can’t find from an internet search!

Pual

The pipes are all of differing lengths and will only fit in the correct holes.

I don’t think it’s possible to fit them incorrectly placed. As I say refer to the Chris vine blog it will provide all the info you need

Hi Paul

As already stated, loads of experience of fitting these on here. I did mine last week and it went better then expected.

One tip that may be helpful. I used fishing line which is very thin but strong. I threaded it through one of the holes that will take the rivets and then out of the bulkhead where the new pipe will be inserted. Through the corresponding hole in the flange on the new pipe and then back down and out through the same bulkhead hole. I was then able to pull the pipe into position.

The fishing line was taped to electrical wire to initially get it in position and an straightened wire coat hanger became my new best friend.

As the fishing line was looped rather than tied I just pulled it out when the pipe was correctly inserted. I put a small clamp on the pipe end so as not to lose it back inside and repeated on the other side (you end up doing both ends virtually in tandem so get your twine sorted on both ends before you start).

Once in position I then inserted electrical wire through the new pipe and used than to pull it tight against the bulkhead so as to be able to add the external flanges and rivet into position. Another pair of hands at this stage is extremely helpful.

I also had to grind down the tip of my riveter to gain access to some of the tighter gaps.

Hope this helps. Let us know how you get on.

Happy New Year!

Ash

Job done! Thanks for responses

All I can add to all advise is if you’ve got big hands don’t do it!!

Got mine stuck more than once....but I do have arthritus! That first vacuuum was a ??d

Nor did it help having the second one with holes misaligned holes

Thanks again

Now to the wiring....

Good to hear Paul.

Apparently we have both accomplished the most difficult job on an E Type.

I hear the fuel tank comes close...

But if it was easy it wouldn’t be fun!

Best
Ash