to EGR, or not to EGR?

[JackFish]

Egr valve failed recently, symptoms were major surging and lurching.
Plugged the vac line and capped the valve and everything is now smooth, but I understand with the 1946 it'll be running rich.
I am trying to decide what to do and have been thinking about running a vac line straight from the spark port to the dizzy, bypassing the PVS, and capping the other ports on the carb. And blocking the egr spacer, etc.
Would a smaller jet be appropriate? I don't know what size is stock but I think it said 299 : on it if I recall correctly. What would be the recommended replacement size?
The other option is to replace the valve.
Looking for suggestions on what to do here. :wrench:

 

[Anonymous]

Do you have to pass emissions in "winterpeg"?

I would run it like it is with everything capped off. Can't hurt to try it at least.

And my 1946 also had a "299" jet in it.....same size jet as a Holley 64 jet.

 

[JackFish]

Do you have to pass emissions in "winterpeg"?.

The only thing I am aware of is if I sell the car it would have to pass a safety check, which may include emissions, I'm not sure.
The thermactor is long gone, the cat's cooked, and the car 27 years old... :!:

 

[Anonymous]

Hi, Jackfish;

I have the same wagon.
The Holley 1946 has a specially-curved fuel feed system outside of the jetting that compensates for the EGR "vacuum leak" by running it rich in the range of 1/8 to 2/3 throttle. If you lean out the jetting, then you must also increase the power valve flow or the engine will burn valves on long highway trips (don't ask me how I found this out... ) .

So, the power valve can be modified one of 3 ways: 1.) getting a stronger spring (easier said than done), 2.) stretching the power valve spring out a little and trying it again (takes lots of time) or 3.) getting a larger power valve (lower number works, too), IF you can find one. I never have.

I ended up installing a new EGR valve from NAPA, but it also fits certain Buick cars. Those cars used a smaller orifice in the valve for less EGR, and the washer to reduce the hole came with the valve. I installed the smaller washer and it really improved things overall, including MPG and power.

The only other sure-fire fix is to install a non-smog carb, like a Carter or old Mustang Autolite (1100? - ask CZLN6 for details) carb. If you do this, be sure to get the undercarb heater plate and install it in place of the EGR plate, then route heater hoses through it. This makes the choke work better and you'll get better MPG with today's fuels.

 

[JackFish]

Hey thanks for the reply.
How much smaller a jet did you burn your valves out with? This would not be a good option!
I have a new egr so I guess installing it would be the best way to go.