Booster Vacuum Hose hook-up advice
 

Good morning all,
I've been up all night searching the threads for information and still have some questions. I'll start with only one: I have bought a new Booster Vacuum Hose rather than try to buy "tubing and connections" and trying to make it myself even though I got excellent info from many of you (I'll report progress when I make or pay for some progress....) and will replace other lines myself. A complete booster vac. hose was so easy to buy through my local MB dealer, I truly couldn't resist.
Chilton & Haynes made it sound more complicated and really left a lot to the imagination. The threads I searched didn't have the info (or i failed to find it).
On my '71 250/8, do I remove the old hose by unscrewing the two fittings? Or drain anything first? Anything intuitive here? I'm a step-by-step with no preexisting auto knowledge. On old hose one end attaches to the vacuum servo unit and the other end fits onto the engine's manifold - both ends look like a plumber's compression fitting. It has a valve-thing (sorry, i don't know what it is) in the middle. From the shape and from how the old one lays in I can tell which way to install it. I JUST NEED TO KNOW things like: any rubber gaskets or other misc. hardware go with this hose? and do I stop anything up or turn anything off? Most importantly, how am I most likely to mess this up? and Do I just simply screw this on? How many turns? with a wrench or crank-down by hand? You know, how you'd explain it to your daughter who's really trying to understand and learn.
Written on hose is: (?)IN 73378 - 12,5X1,25 - >PA11PH< Siebe Automotive Germany - Tecalan - 19.06.00 E 005

Remember, I have NO prior mechanical experience or knowledge anywhere near me and I've exhausted the mechanically inclined around me. I can do it if it's simply "remove old, screw on new".
pleeeeese, help!!!!! Sincerely, debi

It's been probably 15 years since I had one of these cars. My son was brought home from the hospital when he was born in a '71 250.

I am 99% sure that all it is, is a flare fitting, simply use an open end wrench, probably 3/4", and loosen the nuts on both ends and replace with the one way valve in the right direction. It sounds like you've already figured out the one way valve.

When you start on with the new one, thread both fittings in place with your thumb and forefinger, no wrenches. Then tighten both with a wrench AFTER you have gotten the threads started on both ends. This is good practice on anything with threads, don't use a wrench until it is started at least one full turn, this will keep you from crossthreading and ruining fittings, bolts etc.

Remember, "lefty loosey, righty tighty".

You can do it. I will be really surprised if you come up with any unforeseen problems with it.

Best of luck,

Good morning, Larry!
Aren't these cars wonderful? Sounds like your '71 250 was very special to you, too.
Thank you for such a quick, easy answer AND for the confidence. This'll help my car's performance I was told and as I've read about vacuum lines I've become convinced I should've done this long ago. I appreciate your help.
Thanks again,
debi

BTW: was your son born in a hospital or in your car? just kidding!! Have a great day, Larry!!