73 Charger - Vapor Separator?

[Hilljack68]

So... this crusty separator on the rear of the fuel tank... what purpose does it serve? Was it designed to prevent vapor lock? Just wondering if it needs to be there, or was it an EPA thing. Do they go bad, or can I just clean it up and reinstall it. Is there a common sense bypass? ...if that's a prudent thing to do.

 

[YY1]

It sends vapor from the tank to the carb via a charcoal canister.

There's a brass shuttle valve in there that keeps fuel from flowing the wrong way.
It can stick.
If it doesn't rattle, it's stuck.
I cut a square hole in mine, freed the valve and welded/bondo'd the hole up.

I suppose you could eliminate it, but what would you do with the 4 vents?

I have mine bypassing the canister, and going directly to the carb inlet of the factory BBD.

Not sure what I will do when I eventually put an AFB/AVS on it.

 

[71Beeper]

If you don't want to run that single line coming out of the separator to the charcoal cannister, then shove it up inside the rear frame rail and make sure it is higher than the top of the fuel tank.
The fuel tank will still vent properly.
That 1973 style separator is alot more compact then the 1971 style.
I bought the same separator you have and will be adapting it to fit my 71 Runner as I didn't install the 71 separator on mine.

 

[Hilljack68]

Good info. I'll have to give it a rattle and see if it's still viable. This is the newest "old" car I've owned, so I don't know much about the charcoal canister. I'm assuming it's in the engine bay. I say "assuming" because I just picked up the car, and there are a number of things missing from the engine bay (including the engine).

 

[Hilljack68]

Found a picture from a 72... looks like it mounts to the passenger-side wheel well, and exhausts to the valve cover.

 

[YY1]

Is the OP's car a 72 or a 73?

The 73 vapor separator needs to be mounted horizontally so the brass valve can move correctly.

The pressure of the vapors need to be able to push the valve over to expose the outlet.

If fuel tries to return, it pushes the valve closed.

73 vapor canister is coffee can sized and located on the pass side fender.

 

[Hilljack68]

Is the OP's car a 72 or a 73?

73... Yes, it mounts horizontally (like the picture in post #1 shows). My question was about the charcoal canister. From what I could tell from pictures online, it looked like the canisters were the same on a 72 and 73.

 

[YY1]

My 72 has been heavily molested, so can't help there.

If the pic above is correct, then no, they are not the same.

 

[71Beeper]

@Hilljack68, that photo you posted might be for a 1971/1972 setup which doesn't have a charcoal cannister (I assume).
My 71 has that setup.

In the photo there's 2 rubber lines that have KY stamped on them - the one lowest in the photo connects to a steel return line.
That's the vapour return line that goes back to the tank.
Perhaps the charcoal cannister didn't debut till 1973 but I'd be guessing.

The item in the photo you mention is the heater control valve.

 

[multimopes]

My73 was stripped for racing years ago by the former owner. I found they left the fuel tank vent connected at the tank but found it venting 1/2 way down the pasenger side right next to the hot exhaust pipes. I found an early 90's Jeep Wrangler canister at the bone yard and hooked it up with hoses with filters in them to prevent any charcoal from getting sucked into the engine. Works quite well and was very cheap to do. See attached:

 

[Hilljack68]

The item in the photo you mention is the heater control valve.

Ahh... you are correct sir. It was hard to tell from that picture. I'll consult my friendly neighborhood FSM for a better overview of the venting system.

 

[Hilljack68]

I found an early 90's Jeep Wrangler canister at the bone yard and hooked it up with hoses with filters in them to prevent any charcoal from getting sucked into the engine.

That's a dandy idea, Mopes. This car's kind of a Frankenstein project anyway, so that'll be just fine.

 

[multimopes]

I don't have the multi-hose setup at the tank ether, that was removed way back when as well. Mine connects to a single vent line.
I think the whole setup cost me around $35.00, including the canister and hose clamps! Good luck!!

 

[Hilljack68]

Is there some reason why they have FOUR vent lines? My 68 got away with two. Seems a little excessive.