cheetah chrome

i saw in a post that someone mentioned replacing the stock vacuum lines w/ "8mm hard lines" or something of that nature. i have a vacuum leak(s) that is going to give me a bald spot and an ulcer. every time i think ive got it, it comes back in a couple of days (resulting in hesitant starts). in frustration im ready to replace the whole vacuum line circuit, which i know will be a pain in the @#$, but i have to get under intake to clean my idle stabilzer anyway. has anyone performed this operation, where can i purchase a kit, any other frustrations i can get out of the way while under the intake, or anyone have a good (as close to permenant as possible) fix for the vacuum lines. please help me in to young to loose my hair...... <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" />

B Hayes

I dont know about 8mm lines, but here is something that might help. Keep some of the old thin and probably hard vacuum tubing and clip small sections that can be used at each end of silicon tube or other line of similar inside diameter. Whatever type of hose you choose, just make sure the I.D. of that hose makes a tight fit on the hard plastic vacuum line sections. That way, you can still use the OEM 90 degree fittings and T's if they are still in good shape. I think I bought some 90's for my car at Pep Boys. Make sure you mark where these lines are from and where they go..... or take some digital photos just in case you cant read the routing label in the engine bay.

Also new gaskets for the manifold would be a good thing while off..... and make sure you remove all the gasket material off both flanges before installation making sure not to get debris inside the intake ports of the head.