I've got a ball bearing in my hose.

[bry]

I've got a rich running engine and so I'm just running through inspecting vacuum lines. I pulled the hose off this thing that sits between the carburetor and the firewall. Does anyone know what that thing is it's the picture with the (Barb) smooth fitting missing a hose. Well that hose that goes to that thing had a ball bearing in it. Anyone know why that hose would have a ball bearing in it?

[datzenmike]

Looks like your EGR valve. The BB was put there by a previous owner to block the vacuum signal and deactivate it. It's really a waste of time, the EGR is only active above idle and below full throttle on a warmed up engine. People think that getting rid of the EGR gives them magical hidden horsepower but not really, it only affects part throttle. You can leave it plugged or remove the BB.

[Thomas Perkins]

I would get another hose and reconnect it.

[trjerm]

IIRC that hose ( or at least mine on my CA 85 kc 4x4 0 had a ball bearing as a restrictor and itwas that way from the factory

[Thomas Perkins]

I just googled it and many people with other types of vehicles have seen a ball bearing in there's.They say to restrict the egr.Factory would not do this.Check your FSM and see.

Edited October 18, 2024 by Thomas Perkins

[Thomas Perkins]

Just read that someone unplugged there egr hose and put a golf tee in it.

[datzenmike]

3 hours ago, trjerm said:

IIRC that hose ( or at least mine on my CA 85 kc 4x4 0 had a ball bearing as a restrictor and itwas that way from the factory

 

It might seem that way but no. A BB would seal the hose and if small enough to let something through it would be sucked to the carburetor. They did put plugs with metered holes in some hoses to delay the vacuum action or prevent the EGR suddenly opening.

[bry]

Thanks for the response, I replaced the hose without any ball bearing.

[720_Jeff]

Not talking about your hose, others have spoken enough about it.

There are other vacuum lines that also have restrictors (small SS balls) in them.  IIRC correctly, they have a yellow stripe, if it hasn't worn/washed away/covered with dirt/grease.

There's more than one, not sure exactly how many.  

[datzenmike]

The restrictions have various sized holes in them to meter/delay the vacuum signal. A BB would either block entirely or be sucked through the hose. If a BB then a previous owner's intent was top block any vacuum without it being obvious. Say, to have an EGR set up to appear working but no vacuum signal to turn it on.