Valve covers

[Willowbilly3]

I finally got the exact valve covers I wanted
http://www.ebay.com/itm/110779261304?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
I had bought a set for real cheap last winter but one had the oil fill. I wanted the no holes set to keep my engine clean. I'll probably resell them

 

[mitchs66]

Does your engine have any vents on or under the intake? or oil fill tube? Engines in the 50's and 60's had stuff under the intake, but newer engines use the pcv or oil fills on the valve cover as the vents. If the engine isn't vented it gets ugle...and I really don't want to share how I know this[S

 

[donsrods]

That's a good deal, I paid over $200 for the same set. I didn't want pcv valves and other stuff cluttering up the top of the engine so I simply bolted a Moon breather on each valve cover. It vents perfectly, I get no seepage or blowby, and the lid removes with an allen wrench to add oil. Everybody says you need a pcv valve, I disagree.

Don

Here is mine:

 

[Ricks Garage]

You DO NOT need a PVC valve......
You DO need to vent your engine.
PVC valve was to keep crankcase fumes from entering
the atmosphere.
Remember....you are sucking in waste and blowby fumes
into your intake and reburning it ,thus upsetting your
flame pattern and HP output by diluting your air fuel mixture.

 

[donsrods]

I agree, I had that argument with some members on another forum who said that without a pcv system you would get moisture in the oil. I have run a bunch of engines over the years without a pcv in place, just vented to the atmosphere, with no problems. The pcv was put in place to handle emissions so fumes would be reburned.......a Government thing.

Don

 

[mitchs66]

Yes, I was only saying that the engine needs to be vented. I bought a set of covers that you had to drill your own holes in once, got a head of my self and started the engine without drilling them....needless to say it about blew the oil pan off

 

[darkk]

It vents perfectly, I get no seepage or blowby, and the lid removes with an allen wrench to add oil. Everybody says you need a pcv valve, I disagree.

You don't need pcv, people mistake a breather for a pcv all the time. If your engine is higher HP higher rpm all the time, you may get a little blowby in the breathers but nothing serious. I like your set up, mine will be very similar. I found a set of (old) straight logo vintage edelbrock covers.

 

[Willowbilly3]

My oil fill is in the timing cover. The original valve covers have no holes but it does have a pcv in the intake. I think I'll be ok.

 

[rainman]

You two being from Fla. probably wouldn't need a PCV system! But if you live in a colder climate it's a very good idea to use it! Condensation inside the engine is the main problem being addressed with the pvc system! Thats my 2 cents worth!!

BTW WB nice score on the valve covers!!

 

[rainman]

I agree, I had that argument with some members on another forum who said that without a pcv system you would get moisture in the oil. I have run a bunch of engines over the years without a pcv in place, just vented to the atmosphere, with no problems. The pcv was put in place to handle emissions so fumes would be reburned.......a Government thing.

Don

All of them in Fla.??
Wouldn't think condensation would be a big deal there!! But it is here!!

 

[donsrods]

That could be a very valid point. Condensation in colder places is a problem, I remember it well. Down here we have humidity but it is nothing like condensation. In fact, both of my chokes are wired wide open all the time.

Don

 

[the reverend muddy grimes]

hmm, I always wanted the clear valve covers where you can see the valve springs work. Wonder how a pcv would look on those?

 

[Rat'l Trap]

hmm, I always wanted the clear valve covers where you can see the valve springs work. Wonder how a pcv would look on those?

I bet with clear covers, if you could see everything working, it wouldnt be working for long. They should be coated in oil from the inside!

 

[the reverend muddy grimes]

Rat'l, they do make them. Even saw a set for sale on here once. Good reminder to change your oil

 

[dmw56]

Early Chevy engines had the fill tube/vent on the intake manifolds.

My AMX has those same valve covers and oil fill/vent on the manifold.

 

[Ricks Garage]

Didn't need a PVC in Buffalo or Omaha.......
I may live here but I am not FROM here.......
Your engine's internal temperture (not water temp) will
boil off any moisture in the oil and will be vented through your breathers.
The little old lady (NOT the one from Pasadena) that drives from home to the store thats two blocks away may need one, but she also need more frequent oil changes that will remove the moisture.......

 

[Willowbilly3]

When I was a kid I put a chunk of garden hose on my 64 Olds Cutlass. I pushed it into the valve cover breather hole and used it for a road draft tube. It froze solid coming home from college at Christmas, what a mess.

 

[motrhd]

Those look like some nice covers for the money, Willowbilly. I really like those moon breathers that Don is using too, you have to have some form of crankcase ventilation, not necessarily a pvc system. Pvc systems did not come into use until 1961, actually the biggest reason for the pvc system was the oil going onto roads from draft tubes and the major release of hydrocarbons into the atmosphere from the open system. Engine moisture is burned off with engine heat, short trips are the worst on engines and exhaust systems, the moisture never gets burned off.
I picked up a couple sets of the old six fin Cal Custom covers and some very unique Mr Gasket covers for my windsor, but now I'm thinking about making a set of steel Thunderbird covers for the windsor...........decisions decisions

 

[Willowbilly3]

I got the valve covers yesterday, sat them next to the other set I had with the oil fill and these new ones are taller. Hmmm...no big deal.

 

[motrhd]

Taller is always good, in case you want to use roller rockers with a bigger cam.