The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Name that part ... 1946 Chevy 1/2Ton - Help - What is This?

Cleaning out my truck cab and getting it ready for some cleaning and repair. This part was hanging on the firewall in front of the driver. Not sure what it is or does?

Hmm, it looks like an aftermarket attempt at increasing fuel mileage, the rubber hoses are vacuum and the fuse would indicate that an electrical current is applied. Maybe they filled it with water and/or methanol to be able to increase the ignition timing, the water vapor would enable the timing to be advance with a reduction in pre-ignition. Just thinking outside the box here.

The Godfather has one of those snake oil injectors on the firewall (not hooked up). There is normally a glass jar reservoir for the snake oil to be added. They were used for top end lubrication back in the old days.

Actually, from the way its plumbed in the first picture, I think its an accessory electric vacuum pump that would have been used to improve vacuum windshield wiper operation. Looks very similar to this Trico unit. Worth some good money if you decide you don't want to hang on to it. Me, I would see if it works and then go from there. They seem to be pretty rare.

Ding! Ding! Ding! I think we have a winner!

Found some other pictures. Looks like it would have something to do with vacuum. One hose goes inside the cab and the other looks to have been connected to the intake manifold. Thanks for the information.

This is a Trico Electro-Vac. When energized with the "vacuum switch" (see picture) it will detect loss of vacuum, and the electric motor powers a vacuum pump to keep your wipers moving. It does not run constantly, only when loss of vacuum occurs during wide open throttle conditions. It is installed in-line with the vacuum hose from intake manifold to wiper motor.

I found this on the firewall of my COE during restoration. It works perfectly and is capable of pulling 11-12 inches of vacuum all by itself. My wipers function with the engine off, ignition on and vacuum switch on.

These are not factory options, just Trico accessories. Instead of designing drop-in electric motors to alleviate the dreaded loss of wipers when going uphill, they designed this so they could keep selling vacuum motors. They are not common and most are 6 volt. I saw a NOS 12 volt Electro-Vac sell for $1200 on Ebay. The switches are even more rare.

Kent

Man, that's pretty cool.

Thanks for the information Kent! Maybe I need to clean this up and see if it works. If people ask me, I'll tell them it's a flux capacitor from 1946.

You found the hydrocillator valve!

(Just kidding, it's a vacuum booster pump).

That sounds like something that dispenses water! 😁

Just thinking about this - I'm changing to 12v. If it still works and if I wanted to use it again,... Would I have to reduce voltage from 12v to 6v to connect it? I'm thinking I would.

John - A good question for the Electrical Bay

FYI - This thread has been locked as the original question is answered and further discussion is straying off topic. On to the next "Name that part.." post.