Need help with unknown part

I have a 71 LT1. I am in the process of restoring her. I have come across a vacum metal tube that is attached on the driver's side next to the emergency brake. Thie tube is conected to a hose that goes to the back area around the tank and the front seems to conect to one of the gages. All of my gages are out, as I bought this car with the interior completely out. Please help, thanks Dave

Could it be part of the fiber optic lights? That's the only thing I could think of in that area...

Does the fiber optic lights take vacum?

No, but that's the only thing even remotely like what you describe, in that area, that I can think of. I can't think of any vacuum operated stuff that runs down the console, to the rear of the car...
Someone else may have an idea.
Do you have, or can you get, a picture, maybe?


If this was an A/C car, I might think it was a line to the vent block-off plates on the rear deck, but, since it's an LT1, and a '71 model, that's prolly not it. Unless they ran the line on ALL of them, A/C or not...
Adams' Apple2010-02-02 21:42:14

I will get a photo tomorrow, thanks

is it not the vac tubes for astro ventilation?

That could be it Do you know where I could get the metal tubes?

IT is more than likely that it is for ASTRO VENT. As far as the metal lines go, you could use a small diameter brake line and form it to go where you want it. Some  of it is suppose to be rubber line. The tunnel area and through the rear bulk head is metal. The splitter is near the shifter where it gets the vaccume. From the bulk head to the Astro control is rubber. It HAS to go somewhere, as you would have a vaccume leak and the system would not function correctly, not to mention that the engine would not perform as well.

Thank you for help. I will get the brake line that you suggested.

I was under the impression that only the A/C cars had the vac control for the vents(astro vent), and the non-A/C cars had the vents just basically open all the time...