I was just wondering what the cluster of wires on top of my engine was? They are located between the valve cover and the air filter/carb, with what looks like elec. lines/ wires running to the carb, and to the firewall (ground). It has one wire running to the engine block down the valve cover side.
If anyone knows what this is and/or do I need it, I would be very thankful. I was guessing that it had to do with cali emissions, but I don't live in cali.
Another question of mine was about the black coffee can/ carb filter. Is this piece a necessary item, along with my radiator reserve tank ???

trying to beautify my engine-
Bryan

Obviousely a picture would help, but I can tell you a little bit. I'm assuming you're not talking about the wires right next to the valve cover that go to the coil, water temp gauge, air conditioner, coil, because if you are they are important. A thing I've seen in wrecking yards what I think you're talking about. Is their a black little canister on your engine? I believe that is part of the choke system and plays a little with the vacuum system. I don't own a car with this system so I don't what exactly it does or how important it is, but I do know the charcoal canister is important, don't remeber the exact function but basically you don't want to take it out(your talking about the one on the the fender, correct? If you talking about the one near the radiator that is important as well). As for the reserve tank, you have to convert to a radiator that doesn 't need a reserve tank if you wish to get rid of the tank. My suggestion would be that the design of the reserve tank is unimportant, it's just to catch the fluid. Look for a small one from a compact car and stick it in your engine, you won't sacrifice the convenience of having the reserve tank but it'll look a lot better. if you can reroute the wires into the fenders, at least the ones that are already close to their. Another way to beautify the engine is aftermarket parts, like an ignition. After installing the ignition you can get rid of many unnecessary, old wires. Another idea is convert to a battery in the trunk, make the engine look a lot better. And a great touch is moving the horns onto the outside of the wall that the firewall sits on. There are many ways to make an engine pretty, the only problem is that when you get rid of wires and canister you run a fine line between helping and hurting the running of your vehickle, it may be better to look at alternate means before I did into getting rid of emissions stuff.

_________________
My car may be slow to sixty, but at least it's been reliably slow to sixty for more than thirty years.

What year vehicle, some states require you to keep your emissions items for inspection...

black 'coffee can'/passenger side by the radiator- Carb vapor purge cannister, you can remove that but you gotta cap the lines or run one from the carb purge to the tank return line.

Radiator reserve tank- not absolutely necessary, but if you go drag racing they'll make you put a 16 oz. pop bottle in there to catch anything your car purges

Black plastic can between carb and valve cover 'about the size of a tobacco can' - Vacuum amplifier, part of the EGR system for emissions and prone to leaking

-D.Idiot

Thanks for the info both on the carb purge canister, and the radiator reserve. I will probably reroute the hose to dump underneath the car or swap to a smaller tank. The carb purge can I will take out and bypass, Some one told me it was unnecessary also, but I just wanted to make sure. Just for more knowledge what exactly does it filter (air?)?
The cluster of wires between the valve cover and the carb looks like a white box with metal prongs coming out of it with wires connecting to it and there is an obvious ground going to the fire wall. I dont have an air conditioning system in my 74 Valiant 4dr , and I have yet to see a pic of other cars with this cluster. The cluster is located towards the rear.

Ok, I did some lookin and it seems that the cluster is really two clusters. One of which is the carb choke, which i am guessing is the electronic choke, and the other is a small metallic cylinder sideways, with a line running to the air filter and then to the radiator. what is this???
I will soon be putting on a super six setup and headers, what will I do with this enclosed choke? where can I purchase a replacement??

thanks again,
bryan

I haven't looked to see what you're driving.... remind me. I'm feeling lazy.

Ok, the choke is heated by the exhaust manifold; but, it's got an "electric assist" to speed the choke opening. You can disconnect the electric without hurting anything (except emissions during warm up). There should have been a little metal pill or disk that was wired in between the choke and the wiring harness. It's mounted right there on the manifold. It's the thermal switch for that electric assist coil.

The coffee can... It's a vapor collector for the fuel tank and the carb fuel bowl. It's full of ground charcoal. It absorbs the fumes while the cars sitting and when the car is running it "purges" the canister by drawing out the fumes and burning them. It doesn't affect performance; but, you can disconnect it. You need to plug the lines to the carb and put a vent filter on the line from the gas tank.

The small sideways metal cylinder on top of the engine is the egr vacuum amplifier. The hose to the radiator is a vacuum line - there's a thermostatic switch on the radiator that turns it on after the coolant reaches operating temperature.

_________________
My truck is a Frankenstein creation
Built from the dead carcasses of others
And brought BACK TO LIFE!

Hate to sound like the environment nut , but I don't think that dumping the radiator fluid is a very nice way to help the environment. I got a glasspack on my car so I can't talk too much, but if you have a clean jar for the stuff to go into you can save money by re-using it.

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My car may be slow to sixty, but at least it's been reliably slow to sixty for more than thirty years.

ShivaDart's got a point. Everything you've named is part of Federal emissions requirements, not California. Depending on the year, it's all got to be there and working.

Each state may approach inspections differently; but, here in Virginia we have an yearly safety inspection. During that inspection they check that the emissions stuff is still there and functional. They don't actually test the emissions with a tailpipe sniffer; they just look to see that's it's hooked up. All vehicles have to have the components specified for that model year. The car or truck has to be 25 years old before it qualifies as exempt from emissions requirements (but still has to pass the safety portion of the test).

You might want to check on Ohio's laws before you strip off all this stuff. You can "beautify" and "clean up" the engine look without removing it. (Chrome or brushed aluminum covers can do wonders)

_________________
My truck is a Frankenstein creation
Built from the dead carcasses of others
And brought BACK TO LIFE!

I will purchase a more slimline tank, you make a good point. This weekend I will probably try to carefully remove the " electric assist " choke on the 74 valiant 4dr, will I have to modify anything else to compensate for the removal?? as far as the carb purge is concerned, when I remove it, the filter/vent, is this a fuel filter with a valve to vent fumes or a separate unit?
When I switch to the super six setup and go with the headers, would I have to install a separate choke?? I am a bit confused with this because it doesn't seem that headers will allow for one. Is this a manifold thing??
thanks again,
I know these questions are pretty stupid- Bryan