Valve covers PCV and Breathers

[Dimis]

I need to be educated in Valvecovers PCV and Breathers.

Are there any negative ramifications, to NOT having breathers or running the PCV from the manifold instead of the valvecovers?

I'm currently trying to choose between two different style of valve covers for my engine, the standard chrome 427 pentroofs without provisions for PCV or breathers, and a set of blue thunder valve covers with holes for PCV or breathers.

Thoughts?

[CHANMADD]

The basic thing is...........as much air that is coming out your exhaust......(.that's the air on top of the)piston......), there is that the same amount of air moving under the piston inside the block. The result is that the oil in the crankcase is stirred up a lot......hence anti foaming additives in the oils.....
The PCV, valve allows the intake vacuum to suck some of that excess air out and put it back down the carb and help minimize the chaos inside the block.......Generally it is expected that this vacuum helps the rings to seal to the bore..........less oil consumption....Without a Pcv, (positive crankcase ventilation) valve the air in the block is forced out the valve cover breathers and all over the engine nay. So in the breather in one valve cover ,...out the other, through the PCV, and in the intake......
There are different size PCv, available for different size engines........
I hope this helps.......

[DanEC]

If running PVC then you need one passive breather somewhere - manifold, oil filler tube or valve cover breather. If not running PVC then current wisdom appears to be to run two breathers. On the FE, with some intakes you can do that at the manifold (oil filler tube and rear breather mount). Or a breather on each valve cover. Or a combination of the two.

[Al G]

Having seen what accumulates in the puke tank plumbed to the back of the intake manifold I don't know why I'd want to send that back through the carb. I have a breather on each valve cover and no visible oil around them.

[CHANMADD]

But , why ,....with all the very expensive automotive engineers on staff ,...did all the car manufacturers use a PCv, ....and not a puke tank???

[Randy Rosenberg]

As I understand it, when the oil heats up, impurities get vaporized and the PCV sucks these vapors into the engine to be burned away. Without PCV, when the engine oil cools, these vapors turn back to liquid that is corrosive to the engine interior. Impurities are water, fuel, etc...

[CHANMADD]

Al..... how many miles on your car?...

[Al G]

Originally Posted by chanmadd

al..... How many miles on your car?...

2300.

[Danr55]

PCv's were mandated by the Feds in 1970. Kalifornia did it in 1966.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by Danr55

PCv's were mandated by the Feds in 1970. Kalifornia did it in 1966.

Well - the key word there is mandated I guess. I know my 64 383 Plymouth Sport Fury came with PVC and it was a Kansas car. But some small block Chevrolets didn't get rid of the lifter valley breather and down tube until 67 or 68. So I think some manufacturers were bringging it on in at least the early 60s and maybe even the late 50s. It may have been mandated in 1970 but every US made car I can think of had it after about 67 that I can think of.

[CHANMADD]

Randy,s reasons are great too.......

[Dimis]

Ok, thanks. So here's the follow on question.

Conceding its best practice to run both pcv and breathers through the valvecovers.
If I run a pcv through the back end of a TW manifold back to the carb, in an attempt to use bald chrome pentroofs on my engine, how much sludge and gunk would I expect would accumulate in my cobra?

Thx again.

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by Dimis

Ok, thanks. So here's the follow on question.

Conceding its best practice to run both pcv and breathers through the valvecovers.
If I run a pcv through the back end of a TW manifold back to the carb, in an attempt to use bald chrome pentroofs on my engine, how much sludge and gunk would I expect would accumulate in my cobra?

Thx again.

Get the Blue Thunder covers, they look better, and you get a breather, or use the Ford Racing Le Mans covers that you get with the build, they have a breather and look awesome...about a puke tank, they are original, but I talked to many builders who say they are not necessary. I'm not using one...

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by Dimis

If I run a pcv through the back end of a TW manifold back to the carb, in an attempt to use bald chrome pentroofs on my engine, how much sludge and gunk would I expect would accumulate in my cobra?

Thx again.

NONE. Didn't I tell you that?

[fordracing65]

I would ask Brent and Barry and see what they say, their word is gospel...

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

I would ask Brent ....

I think I've hassled that poor soul enough

Poor bugger must think its whack a mole time every time he sees another email from me...

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by Dimis

I think I've hassled that poor soul enough

Poor bugger must think its whack a mole time every time he sees another email from me...

He doesn't mind, it is his passion, plus it's not like he is busy or anything...

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

NONE. Didn't I tell you that?

Yes Sir, I believe you did. Thank-you
However, I have received contrary opinions suggesting otherwise.

At this point my approach will be to go with the Chrome Pentroofs, without the provisions for PCV or breathers in the VCs, but through the manifold to the carb, and see how it turns out.

I expect that it should be OK, but to be honest I have no real experience to base this on. So I come seeking further advice cap in hand...

I do like the look of those BT VCs, particularly as they have the builders logos nicely etched into them, so I might have to order a set of those anyway as a safety net... if nothing else, either of those VCs would make great man-cave wall art.

The puke tank and black ford VCs are not an option... they clash with my eyes, and mess with my feng shui aside from that, I understand they may not clear my T&D rockers anyway... but I could be totally wrong about the last bit.

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by Dimis

Yes Sir, I believe you did. Thank-you
However, I have received contrary opinions suggesting otherwise.

At this point my approach will be to go with the Chrome Pentroofs, without the provisions for PCV or breathers in the VCs, but through the manifold to the carb, and see how it turns out.

I expect that it should be OK, but to be honest I have no real experience to base this on. So I come seeking further advice cap in hand...

I do like the look of those BT VCs, particularly as they have the builders logos nicely etched into them, so I might have to order a set of those anyway as a safety net... if nothing else, either of those VCs would make great man-cave wall art.

The puke tank and black ford VCs are not an option... they clash with my eyes, and mess with my feng shui aside from that, I understand they may not clear my T&D rockers anyway... but I could be totally wrong about the last bit.

You can get the Ford covers in Polished or brushed also, I don't like the black either , but the brushed, YES PLEASE

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by Dimis

I expect that it should be OK, but to be honest I have no real experience to base this on. So I come seeking further advice cap in hand...

Well I do and lots of it. I would never recommend anything to anyone if it were not 100% successful for me.
It's like getting the answers to the test.