1975 LeSabre EFE Valve Taken Out
 

Hi
I had dual exhaust put into my 1975 Buick LeSabre Convertible. When the muffler shop installed it, they took out the EFE Valve and didn't put anything in to stop the exhaust from leaking out in the gap. I have searched to find a spacer for it to no avail. Has anyone else had this issue?

Thanks

Mike

Had the valve on my '69 road runner. As I recall that was operated with a heat sensitive wound/coil spring. Would sometimes rattle and was annoying. Those were used to reapply heat through air bonnet for the carburator automatic choke system via that aluminum flex adjustable tube.

Installed a larger 4V carb on engine and switched to hand choke. That was the best thing ever, worked perfect. If I didn't have the valve I'd make sure vac line was sealed and install a manual choke (did have this part right, see next post though).

Still use the pull choke on my lawn mower and snow blower today. Does your dual exhaust have the equalizer pipe between the left and right side? Started seeing that myself around '79. Photo showing this (excuse side pipes). WAIT- Never answered the question lol, try again. Answer is wrong- this is something different, hmm.

(Wrong reference was here, not what looked at), hope this works: https://www.bing.com/images/search?q...alve&FORM=IGRE. Apparently this valve is also part of the cast exhaust manifold and connected with EGR system. In learning mode also on this one. But guess what, had the heat tube on the '72 Duster not road runner. Another photo, silver tube going to air bonnet (photo from net). Great refresher here, that all was a long time ago. A lot of fun with this one..... All entertainment.

Exhaust
 

Hi
Thank you for replying. That first picture of your exhaust looks like you have a pipe going between both exhaust pipes and around to the right/left making it look like you have Quad pipes? It looks pretty, but neither picture of your exhaust/engine show the flange coming down from the manifold. That's where my problem is. I have exhaust bellowing out of the drivers side flange. Also, I have an Edelbrock Performer intake with an Edelbrock 750 carb, so I don't have the EGR valve either.

Thanks again
Mike

Your welcome and roger on that info so far. Just had that photo of car underside to show connection between left and right banks. If it's the flange that's leaking the muffler shop maybe forgot to install hi temp gasket. If it were the ball and socket type connection would self seal. I may of misunderstood question after first not answering at all:) Oh yup, side pipes with flanges and those have gaskets with different size holes for sound or take out completely; fully open gasket is used in that case. Not that loud, tips face the ground. Different gaskets: https://www.bing.com/images/search?q...sket&FORM=IGRE

Also checked on road runner manifolds, what I was thinking of (photo). These were used on both 383 and 440 CID. Note diverter valve for warming. Didn't recirculate exhaust but heat from manifold a bit different from the '72 Duster. Things were advancing rapidly, no catalytic converters as yet. First PCV valve I ever saw though. Seems in '67 there was just a hose from oil cap going to carb base?

Exhaust
 

I'm guessing they made the exhaust about the same for all the car makers...There can't be much difference in them. We're about to go through a storm today. I'm going to pull the nuts off the flange on the drivers side tomorrow and take some pictures. I hope a gasket is all it takes, but I'm thinking they took the whole EFE out and it takes up some space between the pipes, so I'm afraid I'll need some type of spacer or adapter? More tomorrow, I hope. Depends on the weather. My car is in a carport and the concrete gets wet when it rains.

Thank you again!

Mike

Your welcome Mike. Way better understanding now, those seem readily available. https://www.bing.com/images/search?q...er&FORM=IRIBEP
Looked up EFE valve and they're about the same thing as heat riser valve but vaccum actuated. Photo of heat riser valve. Reference Manual: Chapter 10: Emissions Equipment: EFE System

Exhaust
 

http://shafersclassic.com/images/M143838949.jpgThis one looks like it might work, but when I go to eBay, I type in Buick 455 exhaust spacer and it only comes up with manifolds. I really appreciate you sharing that search you found, because I have been searching for 1975 Buick 455 EFE Adapter and could never find these spacers. One thing about the Buick, though is the manifold is supposed to have it's own welded in donut gasket, so the pipe meets straight up to it. I'm wondering if when the muffler shop put in the dual exhaust on the drivers side, they didn't extend the pipe and flare it to meet up with the donut. I'm going to unbolt it and pull it down to check.

Thanks again!
Mike

Your welcome Mike. Found this a very interesting topic and wasn't familiar with the EFE valve at all, also good refresher. Sounds like your very close to solution, I had no idea spacers like that existed even. Not a mechanic but get by most of the time.

Regards, Rich

Exhaust
 

I pulled the exhaust down today and the valve was still there, or at least the body of the valve was still there...it was gutted, for free flow. What was missing was a gasket between the top of it and the upper flange, so I bought one and put it in. It was too windy out for me to see if it was still blowing exhaust, so I'll have to wait for another day to test it.

Thanks for your help!

Mike