The reason I ask is because I'm running some vintage Cal-Customs vavle covers. They're finned aluminum, thick flanges, and they really turn heads like chrome just can't do, so I really don't want to get rid of them, but they have no baffles in the breather holes. I'm using about a quart every 500 miles, with brand new valve stem seals on new heads, with a brand new (8000 miles on the clock) engine. The only thing I can think of is that this oil is getting sucked into the PCV valve and consumed by the carb. I'm also using a high volume oil pump, so there's a great deal of oil in the top of the engine always, but no leaks.

By the way, I'm still rocking an Edelbrock 600 cfm carb (#1406)

So today I plugged the pcv in the valve cover, and on the carb, figuring that the breather on the other side could do all the breathing the engine needs. After starting it back up, the idle speed and qaulity dropped, so I tuned it again. I went about 3/4 turn leaner on both idle circuits, and got the speed back, and the vacuum is higher now that it ever was (22.5" at idle, steady as a rock, vs. 21" with a slight twitch of the gage). tell me now, what's the deal with having a PCV system as opposed to just an open breather? Apparently I don't have a lot of blow-by, because the only time the breather lets out any vapors is when I revv it up, then I get a little puff of white smoke out the breather. Anybody have any ideas? I am stumped here, none of my manuals say anything about removing the PCV system, or its effects.

 

I always figuered it was a pollution control device of sorts.

Instead of letting the crankcase vapors go in to the air like the old systems did, this set up catchs it and just kinda feeds it back to the motor.

I don't suppose it would hurt anything not using it as long as the motor can still vent its crankcase pressure adequately.

 

I always figured it was a pollution control device of sorts.

Instead of letting the crankcase vapors go on to the air like the old systems did, this set up catchs it and just kinda feeds it back to the motor.

I don't really suppose it would hurt anything not using it as long as the motor can still vent its crankcase pressure.

 

I don't know what happened? I edited my post and this happened

 

And I posted a reply but don't see it unless it was on a different forum.

 

TorqueKing, you need to venilate the crankcase, whether it's to the atmosphere or intake manifold. Sludge tends to form if you don't, plus gaskets will leak because of the increased crankcase pressue.

If you run straight breathers, you need one on each valve cover, staggered front and rear, to get airflow circulation.

The better set-up, IMO, is to use a modified stock system, with a breather cap on one valve cover, and a PCV valve on the other, with the hose running to a port under the carb.

 

I wouldn't eliminate the PCV system, however you might experiment with restricting the air flow. I have the same problem with my MotorSport valve covers, the baffles were removed and need to be replaced.

 

removing the PCV will result in shorter bearing life, oil leaks, and in general shorter engine life. the PCV was designed as an emmission device but it was quickly learned that it removes moisture and prevents acids from forming in the crankcase and by creating a low vacuum in the crankcase it actually reduced oil leaks significantly. allowing the crankcase to vent naturally does none of these things as the crankcase will always be presurized and this will force oil past seals and not all of the vapors will be drawn off. a lot of research has been done on this and removing the PCV is a waste of time and energy. maybe intsead of trying to fix somehing that isn't broken you should fix what is and find out why oil is getting sucked up into the PCV (it should not be so you do have a problem). hawkrod

 

I just don't have valve covers that have a baffle over the hole right now. I'm getting Edelbrock Elite (tall style) covers to replace the ones I have, because the guy who gave them to me wants them back, so now I've gotta replace them anyways. Thanks for the info guys, as always. TK

 

I'd appreciate it if you would let me know if that fixes your problem. It may relate to mine.