ENGINE FITTING AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING VEHICLES

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.