1988 A.I.R. Question

[chevyman7]

I have the engine out of my 88 truck and want to know if I can leave the A.I.R. system off when I put the motor back together? If I understand correctly it is just there for emission reduction. I would like to clean the engine up some so that there is not so much stuff under the hood.

[Zero260]

Yes you can. You will need a shorter fan belt. And you will also need an idler pulley to take the smog pump's place. I can't remember the part number.

[~Super~Midget~]

When i put headers on my old 88 i just pulled the back off of the air pump and took the blades out... Instant idler pully

Sent from your mom's house

[Doober]

... or you can just get a belt for a truck without a.i.r.... it's what I did on my '88 when I put a different engine in.

[chevyman7]

Thanks for the replies. I am just now getting around to responding, it has been a busy week. I do have a couple more questions about this. It looks like there are sensors in both of the exhaust manifolds, what will I do with them if I don't use the manifolds and put headers on it? Also, there is a large metal bracket that bolts to the front of the motor that the power steering pump, alternator, and the air conditioning compressor bolts to. Can I leave this bracket off and use some other type of mount for these that isn't as so bulky and ugly? Thanks for the help.

[chevyman7]

I have a follow up question about this. There is one line (a vacuum line I think) that goes from the front of the TBI to the A.I.R. system. What will I need to do with the vacuum line now that I have removed the A.I.R. system from the truck and there is now where to connect it to?