air leak/vacuum generator leak

[davidkerryedwards]

Even though my cruise control vacuum sphere was not holding vacuum
very well, I decided the problem was the vacuum generator since even
plugging the vaccum hose to the cruise control did not stop the air
leak. It has no part numbers or name on it. I dissasembled it. It
has a press fitted cover on the bottom which holds a rubber membrane,
a spring, and a plastic needle valve that goes up into the body. It
is an extremely simple device. I'm thinking that the needle valve
must have been sticking. I damaged the rubber membrane under the cap
when I removed it so I can't just reassemble it. I may just fabricate
a replacement membrane (perhaps from a nitrile glove) and reassemble it.
The reason I think the needle valve was sticking was that I could blow
in the pressure side and it would leak prior to dissasembly. If I
push the needle valve manually into the body, it holds air. I'll call
Blueburd on Monday to see if they can direct me to a mfg. I'll also
check out the source Tom posted. I noticed they rebuild the cruise
control components. Do they also supply the vacuum generator? I
looked on the air system diagrams and could not see the part. I also
could not find it in the Bluebird parts book I have.

There is a second line (vacuum?) attached to the generator in addition
to the one that goes to the cruise control sphere. Does anyone know
the purpose of the second hose? I'm thinking I could just plug the
fitting and get by without the vacuum generator until I get a
replacement if that second line does not operate a crucial component.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver