1980s Need help identifying engine part - 1981 368 (V-8-6-4) - photos included

[chrisbutnut]

Can someone help me identify this part in my engine compartment?  It's to the left of the A/C compressors, and is a round metal assembly with a rubber hose attached to the top.  In my car, it looks like the hose was attached incorrectly.

I'm not sure if this is something related to engine oil, coolant, vacuum, air supply? 

I have a parts illustration manual, but it's missing a bunch of pages and I can't find anything that looks like this.

[Cadman-iac]

Hi Chris,

That's a check valve for the smog pump air. It's broken, there should be a short nipple sticking up from the top for your hose to slip onto.
Looking at your picture, the clamp is still on the hose, so I would imagine that you will find the broken off nipple inside the hose.
The purpose of this valve is to keep any exhaust gases from being pushed back into the air pump, or smog pump as most people call it.
To remove it from the tube it mounts to, you should probably remove the tube from the engine  to prevent it from breaking. The valves become stuck over time from the heat and exhaust gas that reaches it when the engine is running.
You can still get the valve at most parts stores, but that tube is not available any longer. If you need one, you'll need to locate a good used one somewhere.

If that valve is bad it will allow exhaust gases out, and anything in the area will be damaged from the heat, so you need to take care of it as soon as possible.

Hope this helps.

Rick

[chrisbutnut]

Thank you, Rick!