Can an 81+ EGR valve from a 22R be used on a 80 20R? They look identical. Can't seem to get mine clean enough to hold a vacuum

 

I don't have a definitive answer except...one way to find out!

I had some luck soaking my valve in brake cleaner overnight...

 

Yep, I've filled it up with aerosol carb cleaner and am letting it soak some more. The reason I think that there's something wrong with mine is that when try to pull a vacuum at the egr's outlet (simulating engine vacuum at idle coming from the egr pipe), I can't get a solid reading...just hear a hiss and the gauge drops to zero...so I'm guessing air is leaking around the internal valve/seat or in from the top seal around the internal valve's stem.

 

And deleting it isn't an option? Emissions, etc?

 

Yep, got a smog check coming up