Hey guys,

Is the switch/sensor inside the air cleaner base reproduced for 1970 big block cars? It monitors temperature and I believe increases/lowers vacuum to the heat diaphragm at the end of the snorkel. I see these reproduced for other car makes and years.

Here is a pic of the one in my '70 Supreme. It was made by AC Delco.

IMG_0544.jpg

 

Still available from GM. PN 6484242 according to the '72 edition Parts Catalog.

 

Thanks. That sounds promising. I'll call a local GM dealership tomorrow.

 

gmpartsdirect.com should be your 1st stop:


Search Results of Available Items
*Prices are Per Unit

Set results per page:
Page 1: 1-1 of 1 items

6484242 - A/CLEANER

GM PART # 6484242
CATEGORY: Eng Asm (shipped only to local UPS hub 4 pickup)
PACK QTY: 1
CORE CHARGE: $0.00

List Price: $21.59
Price: $11.01
You Save: $10.58 (49%)
=====================
They appear to be a bit cornfused on what the item is, but, other than absurd shipping, should be good to go.

 

Unfortunately, the gmpartsdirect.com database is not up to date. Here's a reply I received today from an inquiry -

"Hi Mike,
I apologize for your inconvenience. Unfortunately, the part number you requested has been discontinued and is no longer available from GM. You'll have to find an aftermarked source for this part. Thank you.
F Norton
GmPartsDirect.com"

The closest match I can find to this point is the ATS3 sensor manufactured by Standard Motor Products. I'm not sure if this sensor is "calibrated" for the same temperature rating, though. It sells anywhere from $12 - $30 depending how much the vendor wants to gouge us.

 

If the sensor is not green then its not OEM...

i learned this the hard way, and strapped my old green-AC sensor back in there

 

So, Tony, the sensor you have is entirely colored green?

 

I bought one last winter. This place sells White plastic version.

Part number from thepartsplaceinc.com
CB10780Z
(1968 - 1972 Cutlass/442) THERMAL AIR INTAKE VACUUM SENSOR (COLD START SENSOR THAT MOUNTS IN AIR CLEANER BASE) - EA $28.00

 

I did see that one in the catalog - it appears to be the ATS3 sensor sold by many vendors. It's my backup plan if I can't locate an OEM or exact replacement. Thanks for the reply. I take it you haven't had any problems with it.

 

Yessir,

Got the OEM un-molested air cleaner from Scott (Oldspackrat) and the sensor had never been removed.

I'm gonna try to get Rob lady72nrob71 in on this thread. He's the air cleaner Guru.

ROB ARE YOU OUT THERE.

I can take a picture when i get home mike.

 

As we all know, only an OEM green sensor will do (at least for '72).


Allan had a source for aftermarket sensors, but they are white!!
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...tml#post327419

Just for reference...
To remove it, there is a slick easy way to get that clip off intact! After pulling the hoses, basically you take two small pieces of thin, sturdy metal and bend all 4 of the hose retaining fingers back some. This buckles the bottom of the clip and the retaining teeth are released. When this happens, just pull the clip and your metal pieces straight out!

 

The sensor in my car was black. Since the car was all original with only 19k at time of purchase, I assumed that it was still the original black sensor. When did they come out with Green sensors?
When I ran a vacuum test on the sensor (Cold Sensor), it would only hold 5 inches. If I pumped to 15 inches, it would quickly decay down to 5 inches and hold, every time. Since the switch appeared to be leaking I replaced it with a new white one. After installation, the new white one acted the same. It would hold a vacuum of 5 inches or less, but if pumped up to 15, it would again quickly drop to 5 inches and hold. I did make sure both hose were properly attached.
Has anyone else tried to vacuum test the temperature sensor?

Note: Try to save your old rubber gasket under the sensor. The new “foam” spacer that came with my white sensor had turned into dust. Must have been 30 years old and still in its original wrapper.
I do not remember if I ever tested the sensor while it was “hot” to see if it still leaked. In hind sight, that’s more important test because the sensor is Hot most of time time. From memory the sensor should start to activate the snorkel motor above 100F.
If I bypassed the switch and put the vacuum pump on the motor directly, the motor would hold 15 inches.

 

Has anyone had any luck finding one of these sensors, it fits in the bottom of the air cleaner housing and has 2 vacuum hoses going to it. I have the 69 cutlass with a 350. The Parts Place has them on their website PN CB10780Z. I tried to order one but they came back on back order with no date for availability.
They call the part a "THERMAL AIR INTAKE VACUUM SENSOR (COLD START SENSOR THAT MOUNTS IN AIR CLEANER BASE). Thanks!

 

Check it out,


https://www.thepartsplaceinc.com/pon...ID=6&year=1969

 

One more,


https://www.autosparepartsmart.com/a...re_sensor.html

 

ThanksShift. The Parts Place are on backorder till who knows when. The AutoSparePartsMarts part number was a ats-1. I believe we are looking for the ats-3. I ended up finding an AcDelco part number 213-114. It crosses to the 69-73 cutlass with a 350

 

I have a green 72 spare

and a black spare ..... if you havent sourced one yet

Scott

2o6 465 9165

 

I know this is an old post, before I spend 40-50 bucks is there a way to test/clean restore my original sensor?