'88 Boost Control Hose Hook-Up

In my quest for finding air leaks..., there is a "One Way Valve" between the intercooler and the vacuum tree's "T" connection. The valve is black and gray. The black side is marked "VAC." What is the correct orientation on the valve? Meaning does the black "VAC" side go towards the intercooler or the Tree?

On the same subject, I can understand the bleeding of boost back to the turbo inlet to decrease the signal to the wastegate actuator (thus increasing boost). What is not making sense to me are the two ports off the side of the intercooler.

One goes directly to the turbo inlet and would seem to leak boost without purpose.

The other port routes to the one way valve mentioned above. IF..., the black (VAC marked side) went toward the intercooler I can see where the valve would close blocking the lose of boost, but open under vacuum. But, if it goes the other way (black side towards the Tree) then it becomes another path of boost lose. Anyway, just curious.

The ports off the side of the intercooler supply vacuum to the speed control (inner fender, driver's side, when the engine is in boost. If the black valve is in this circuit, it is made to pass only vacuum to the SC accumulator and keep boost out as boost will damage the speed control mechanism. I will check this out later to make sure I got all the parts in the right place

Take the check valve out and try to blow in each end. Whichever end won't pass any air when you blow in it is the side that should be connected to the hose coming from the intercooler.

Also - here's a vacuum hose diagram if that helps at all.
http://turbotbird.com/faqs/Vac_Diagram.htm

Well..., if I could sing (I can't) I'd be singing, "I was looking for boost in all the wrong places." There is a diagram on the internet (direct link doesn't work, but it is one of the first few images here with the green lines) https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=....66536.5.5 .0.0.0.0.138.428.4j1.5.0....0...1c.1.37.img..5.0.0.Co4mbnnojz4#imgdii=_ that shows one of the hoses off the intercooler running to the vacuum tee. I'd say that is incorrect as the car I saw had it running through a number of "one way valves" to the speed controller. Note that this diagram doesn't show the valves either.

Anyway, I spent about 3 hours opening up the wastegate only to find that it looked fine with the button closing tight. In desperation I removed the above mentioned hose and plugged the ends at the intercooler and Tee. I went for a test drive. I finally got my 15 pounds of boost!!!

I will say it is a bit frustrating that I spent the better part of three days thinking that diagram (link above)was accurate. I had seen it on the internet for years and even have a printed version in my "manual." Now, all of a sudden you click on the link and it takes you to the "pointer page" and then that link has an error. Again, it was available for years (even yesterday) and now it is gone. I mean what kind of bad luck is that for me???

Anyway, moving on, happier that it is working right than I am upset about mis-information. That you everyone for your help. Tom

Are you talking about this one? This is definitely wrong. There are actually several things wrong with this diagram. Like why would you hook the vapor canister line up to a vacuum port that will see boost pressure?

Ours (attached) is correct except that it really doesn't clearly illustrate that the yellow tee in the green line doubles as a one way check valve as well (so that boost from the vac tree doesn't get to the cruise control). The other check valve is illustrated.

Brian,
YES! That is the image (the first one). Please (if you can) make it go away. LOL My car has been a long running project (6 years) and I had always used that image, going so far as to print it out and put it in my homemade reference manual. I sure wish I had known it was bogus long ago. I feel like I have surely turned a corner (for the good) now.

I have not mentioned this, thinking I might not get help, but my '88 T/C's "heart and soul" (engine, trans, wire harness, relay box, steering column - even the seats) are transplanted into a '73 Pinto. And when I said, "'88 T/C" in any question I asked it was as if it was a true reference to the T/C that was my former daily driver for 10 years.

I hope you all will still allow me to ask questions with my "bastard step-child" of a car. I have greatly appreciated the assistance I have been given here.

Thanks, Tom

I have to ask, why did you pull everything out of the tc?

I bought the T/C in '93 as a salvaged vehicle for $1,500 (the going rate was about $6,000). It was your basic rear hit with the fold over the rear wheel wells. I pressed that out and made the car presentable. I then drove it for 10 years as a daily driver. During that time it was hit in the passenger door. I got $1,400 for that. Thus it became a $100 car. I eventually replaced the door(color matched for $30 from Pick A Part).

At year 10 of ownership ('04) it marginally failed smog, had a leaking head gasket from a leaking radiator, dented fender, cracked windshield, worn tires, dead A/C and was pretty much showing it's 15 years, 150,000 miles age. A rat eventually nested in the A/C ducting and that was the kiss of death (the smell would have never come out). In '07 my wife wanted it gone from the backyard, but I talked her into letting me transplant the drivetrain into a Pinto.

Even at Pick A Part prices I figured I got about $600+ of parts off the car (engine, trans., accessories, seats etc.). I sold most everything else for around $250. A junk yard took the picked carcass for free.

So, even after 10 years of daily driver use (that cost me all of $100 after the $1,400 insurance check) I came out ahead by $750 in kept parts and sales. That $750 Paid everything but a $100 (another $100 car) for the Pinto.

And..., that is the "why" to the reason I took the parts off the T/C. For the money it was the best car I ever owned, but given its salvaged background and deteriorated condition it was time to put it to rest.

I dont blame you for what you did, I'd probably do the same, as would most others on here in my opinion. sometimes the vehicle is worth more as a doner than as a driver.