* Power brakes: This is the most crucial function. Without the vacuum pump, you'll have extremely hard brakes, requiring significant effort to stop. This is a serious safety hazard.
* Power steering (possibly): Some systems used vacuum assist for power steering, though it's more common for power steering to be hydraulic. Check your specific Eldorado's specifications to be sure.
* Automatic climate control: The vacuum system might control vents and airflow. Losing it will likely mean you lose some or all climate control functionality.
* Transmission shifting (possibly): Some automatic transmissions used vacuum assist for shifting. This is less common than brake and climate control dependence.
While you *could* eliminate the vacuum pump, you'd need to replace its function for critical systems like the brakes. This would involve significant modification and would likely be expensive and complex, potentially requiring aftermarket components that might not perfectly integrate with the original system. It's generally not recommended to remove it.
Instead of removing the vacuum pump, if it's malfunctioning, focus on repairing or replacing it. The cost of repair or replacement is far less than the cost and risk associated with trying to bypass the entire vacuum system.
