The purpose of the air pump or "smog" pump is to put oxygen into the exhaust so that stuff that didn't burn completely in the cylinders can burn some more before it cools down and gets diluted in the atmosphere. The catalytic converter was introduced to perform a similar function, but large displacement engines still had smog pumps as recently as 1995 (5.0L Mustangs). There is usually a solenoid or two that controls air flow to/from the pump, and this is the only place where I could see the wiring harness being any different. However, I'd be surprised if it really mattered. To my knowledge, most cars of that vintage controlled the flow through the air pump with vacuum operated valves, and the vacuum to those valves was switched mechanically by temperature sensative vacuum switches mounted in the cooling system. The plumbing for the air pump can likely be found in a vacuum diagram in the factory service manual, and along with the wiring diagram should explain how the air flow is redirected (mechanically or electro-mechanically). Now then, since the car is 36 years old, it is likely emissions exempt in just about any jurisidction, so unless you're super concerned about the environment (which you aren't since you own a 440), or you want to do a concours restoration, there's no need to keep the air pump on your engine. It will run fine with or without it. So feel free to do whatever you fancy regarding it. In the years that I've spent around old cars, I've only seen one restored vintage car that I spent enough time around to notice that all the smog hardware had been restored/replaced as well, and that was on a '69 GT-500 428. But on that type of car, every little piece being there makes it worth more to a collector.
Dave Casey----- Original Message ----- From: "Musclecarguy" <musclecarguy1@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <1962to1965mopars@xxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 2:21 AM Subject: Off Topic Question on 1972 Rallye Charger 440
Guys, I hate to get myself in trouble here, but I need your help in understanding something on my 72 Charger Rallye 440-4 spd car. It has an air pump on it, but I don't know much about what this is all about and its function or intent. I'm assuming something to do with vacuum ??? I was looking at ordering a new wiring harness from Year One and it even shows one for the air pump. Can someone help explain all this air pump stuff to me? Thanks in advance guys...Lyle in MontanaPlease address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person -- directly to that person. I.e., send parts/car transactions and negotiations as well as other personal messages only to the intended recipient, not to the Clubhouse public address. This practice will protect your privacy, reduce the total volume of mail and fine tune the content signal to Mopar topic. Thanks! '62 to '65 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines: http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/mletiq.html.____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, andknow-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ----Please address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person -- directly to that person. I.e., send parts/car transactions and negotiations as well as other personal messages only to the intended recipient, not to the Clubhouse public address. This practice will protect your privacy, reduce the total volume of mail and fine tune the content signal to Mopar topic. Thanks!'62 to '65 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines: http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/mletiq.html.
---- Please address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person -- directly to that person. I.e., send parts/car transactions and negotiations as well as other personal messages only to the intended recipient, not to the Clubhouse public address. This practice will protect your privacy, reduce the total volume of mail and fine tune the content signal to Mopar topic. Thanks! '62 to '65 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines:http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/mletiq.html.
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