What is This?

[saiyaneye]

The part reads D8TE-9B982-B1A it has two vacuum lines and a power and ground wire...? This is extremely hot even after the engine has been closed for a while. I found this out the hard way accidentally touching it. My guess would be bad ground on this, but it looked find to me. I hope i can find my damn camera!

[1987cp]

Not sure about that part number, but it sounds offhand like an EGR valve. Those look pretty goofy on the early Panthers and Fox cars, either bolting to a special boss on the intake or onto a EGR spacer that mounts under the carb. Where's the part located?

[gadget73]

Where is it located? If its in a heater hose, that might be the thermal blower lockout or something.

[MasterBlaster]

Carburetor bowl vent solenoid.
Rockauto pics for teh win!

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...,parttype,5144

[1987cp]

Wow, shows what I know. Looks like the right part number ..... but what the heck would be the purpose in electronically controlling whether or not the fuel bowl is allowed to vent???

[gadget73]

probably it actually sucks vapor off the tank, or so I'd guess.

[Enigma]

ya, stupid emissions crap. It should not be hot to the touch.

[saiyaneye]

Sorry it took me so long to reply, I am in Colorado right now. If it getting hot do you guys think i should replace it? Anyway to bypass this?

[1987cp]

Sorry it took me so long to reply, I am in Colorado right now. If it getting hot do you guys think i should replace it? Anyway to bypass this?

I really don't know squat about bowl vents, but some searching turned up the following resources:

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4267129.html
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/66...scription.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~bubbaf250...rb/carb02.html
http://www.patentdigi.com/straighten...n_control.html

According to the above sources, the fuel bowl vent is often ducted to an appropriate intake air passage when the engine is running and to a charcoal canister when the engine is not running, generally switched with a solenoid valve like the one pictured in a previous post. If our identification of the part is correct (and I expect it is), its job is to handle fuel fumes, and as such, it could potentially present a safety hazard if it's overheating. If my understanding is correct, the solenoid is supposed to get +12 Volts when the ignition is on, and nothing when the ignition is off, so the easiest solution might be to first verify that this is indeed happening on the hot side and as you suggested, make sure the ground is both good and reliable. If it appears not to be functioning correctly, it might be easiest to just replace it with a new one. Alternatively, some research could most likely turn up a simpler system for handling these fumes.

On the other hand, I seem to recall you had another post where you were complaining about your carburetor's performance; if you were to replace it with an aftermarket four-barrel like Edelbrock's 1403, the issue of this bowl vent valve would probably be eliminated entirely with no need to spend money on emissions parts.

[gadget73]

As a stop-gap you could try unplugging it till you can get a new one. If it doesn't negatively affect performance, its probably better to run with it unplugged than to risk a fire or something.

[saiyaneye]

When I get home tomorrow I am going to run a new ignition wire to the selenoid and upgrade/check the ground. I have about 30 ft of 8 gauge laying around, 25 ft of 10, and some 12. I will not even waste my 8 or 10 gauge on it seeing that the wire is about 16 awg. I think 12 awg will be fine. If it still is getting hot I will try replacing it. To bad that little bastard is $50, looking at it you expect to pay around $5 lol.

I really don't know squat about bowl vents, but some searching turned up the following resources:

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4267129.html
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/66...scription.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~bubbaf250...rb/carb02.html
http://www.patentdigi.com/straighten...n_control.html

According to the above sources, the fuel bowl vent is often ducted to an appropriate intake air passage when the engine is running and to a charcoal canister when the engine is not running, generally switched with a solenoid valve like the one pictured in a previous post. If our identification of the part is correct (and I expect it is), its job is to handle fuel fumes, and as such, it could potentially present a safety hazard if it's overheating. If my understanding is correct, the solenoid is supposed to get +12 Volts when the ignition is on, and nothing when the ignition is off, so the easiest solution might be to first verify that this is indeed happening on the hot side and as you suggested, make sure the ground is both good and reliable. If it appears not to be functioning correctly, it might be easiest to just replace it with a new one. Alternatively, some research could most likely turn up a simpler system for handling these fumes.

On the other hand, I seem to recall you had another post where you were complaining about your carburetor's performance; if you were to replace it with an aftermarket four-barrel like Edelbrock's 1403, the issue of this bowl vent valve would probably be eliminated entirely with no need to spend money on emissions parts.

Do you think I still need it with my two barrel Holley carb? I will have to get you guys The carb model number when I get home. If that is the case what should I do just cap off the vacuumed line and call it a day?