Engine fitting and method of assembling vehicles

Abstract

A method of assembling vehicles is provided that includes providing a first engine with a first engine manifold having a first opening, and installing a first fitting in the first opening. A second engine is provided with a second engine manifold having a second opening, and a second fitting substantially identical to the first fitting is installed in the second opening. A seal portion of the first fitting is separated from a body portion of the first fitting at a weakened joint between the seal portion and the body portion. The body portion of the first fitting is then connected with a brake system on a first vehicle to enable vacuum assist of the brake system via a vacuum within the first engine manifold. The second engine is operated without separating a seal portion of the second fitting so that the second opening is plugged by the second fitting.

1 . A method of assembling vehicles, comprising:
 providing a first engine with a first engine manifold having a first opening;   installing a first fitting in the first opening; wherein the first fitting has:
 a body portion configured to fit within the first opening and defining a passage having opposing first and second ends; wherein the first end is outside of the first manifold and the second end is inside of the first manifold; 
 a seal portion enclosing the first end of the passage; and 
 wherein the fitting has a weakened joint between the body portion and the seal portion establishing a predetermined fracture region at which the seal portion will separate from the body portion when a predetermined torque is applied to the seal portion to thereby open the first end of the passage; 
   testing the engine with the seal portion sealing the first opening;   after testing, separating the seal portion from the body portion at the weakened joint by applying the predetermined torque to the seal portion; and   after separating the seal portion, connecting the body portion with a brake system on a first vehicle to enable vacuum assist of the brake system via a vacuum within the first engine manifold.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a second engine with a second engine manifold having a second opening;   installing a second fitting in the second opening; wherein the second fitting is substantially identical to the first fitting;   testing the second engine with the seal portion of the second fitting sealing the second opening; and   after testing the second engine, operating the second engine on a second vehicle without separating the second seal portion.   
     
     
         3 . A method of assembling vehicles, comprising:
 providing a first engine with a first engine manifold having a first opening;   installing a first fitting in the first opening such that the first fitting plugs the first opening;   providing a second engine with a second engine manifold having a second opening;   installing a second fitting in the second opening; wherein the second fitting is substantially identical to the first fitting such that the second fitting plugs the second opening;   separating a seal portion of the first fitting from a body portion of the first fitting at a weakened joint between the seal portion and the body portion to unplug the second opening;   after separating the seal portion, connecting the body portion of the first fitting with a brake system on a first vehicle to enable vacuum assist of the brake system via a vacuum within the first engine manifold; and   operating the second engine with the second opening plugged by the second fitting.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 prior to separating the seal portion, testing the first engine with the first fitting plugging the first opening.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 prior to operating the second engine, testing the second engine with the second fitting plugging the second opening.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the separating is by applying a predetermined torque to the seal portion. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the installing the first fitting in the first opening is by threading the first fitting into the first opening at threads of the first opening. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the separating includes supporting a removal tool at a support surface of the first fitting. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 configuring the first fitting such that the seal portion will be retained to the body portion without fracture at a manifold pressure not greater than a predetermined amount.   
     
     
         10 . A method of assembling vehicles, comprising:
 providing a first engine with a first engine manifold having a first opening;   configuring a first fitting such that a seal portion of the first fitting will be retained to a body portion of the first fitting without fracture at a manifold pressure not greater than a predetermined amount when the first fitting is installed with the body portion in the first opening and the seal portion sealing the first opening;   installing the first fitting in the first opening;   testing the first engine with the seal portion sealing the first opening;   after testing the first engine, separating the seal portion from the body portion at a weakened joint between the seal portion and the body portion;   after separating the seal portion, connecting the body portion with a brake system on a first vehicle to enable vacuum assist of the brake system via a vacuum within the first engine manifold;   providing a second engine with a second engine manifold having a second opening;   installing a second fitting in the second opening; wherein the second fitting is substantially identical to the first fitting;   testing the second engine with a seal portion of the second fitting sealing the second opening; and   after testing the second engine, operating the second engine without separating the seal portion of the second fitting so that the second opening remains sealed by the second fitting.