wugak

As discussed in a previous thread I am planning to remove the breather line so it isn't connected to the air cleaner and install a push in breather. Eliminates one hose in there.

On my L82 alum valve covers the hole is about .90" diameter with a rubber grommet holding a tube. All the breathers are made for a 1.25" hole. The valve cover seem to have a line around the hole that is 1.25", like a knock out or something.

Question is can I just smack this with a socket or something and will it pop out? It could just be a decorative line or the score mark for a break away section. I dunno.

I suppose I could take off the cover and have our machine shop at work open it up as a last resort.

NHvette

I wouldn't whack it with anything, unless I was very sure.

You can always go back to the parts store and get the valve covers that
match your air filter. I'd like to buy a set of original covers like yours.

Maybe have your machine shop fabricate a reducer/adaptor.

There must be breathers out there to fit the stock opening.

Hope you don't mind me posting an illustration ... here is Tony's new intake/carb/cleaner :







[Modified by NHvette, 2:07 PM 6/23/2004]

wugak

Sweet! I was going to ask you to post the pics. Maybe later I'll take some pix in the sun and you can post a thread just to show the finished product.

My birthday is in 2 weeks so I planned to ask the wife and my brother to pitch in for the Edel covers that match the air cleaner perhaps. I may just drive it for a while with the hose disconnected. Maybe zip tie a filter piece over it for now.

I picked out about 10 little $20 items and made a wish list. My whole family will go nuts trying to find good gifts. Normally we just say that you have to tell us what you want or you don't get squat! Saves shopping hassles.

Bobchad

I had a hard time finding the right size breather but I eventually found it at Pep Boys.

stingr69

Tony,
I would not remove that if I were you. There are plenty of other less useful hoses in there to take off.

The PCV gets the intake air from that hose assy. If you try to reinvent that PCV system, you will likely end up starting another thread that goes something like this; "Why do I have oil stains on my valve covers?". Just my opinion. Been there, done that.

-Mark.

wugak

The driver's side valve cover has a hose that goes to the PCV port on the carb. That is staying.

As I understand it the passenger side tube that goes from the air cleaner to the valve cover is useless and can be replaced with a breather.

Yes?

Paul L

No. Blow-by gases including oil fumes are re-directed to the carb through that vent pipe on the passenger side to be burnt off as a part of the PCV circulation system. If you use a 1960s cap instead you will have oil mist all through your engine compartment. It does get rather messy.

Even my primitive 1967 has a crankcase vent (black steel tube on left) that hooks up under the air cleaner base via a short piece of rubber hose. The PCV is the black unit on the oil fill tube connected by a rubber hose to the Holley.




[Modified by paul67, 4:55 PM 6/23/2004]

Tiredol74

The passenger side vent tube is not useless but it can be replaced with a breather as NHvette says n Bobchad confirms. It's part of the of the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation)system. System designed by GM does not cause blow-by. Replacing the hose with breather only moves the crankcase breather usu inside cleaner base to rocker cover. It changes essentiallly nothing. Fresh air still pulled by vacuum into passenger cover to replenish dirty crankcase air pulled by carb thru PCV valve on other side. If do a search with PCV you'll get your answer. Both my 74 & 69 pkp(owned since '84) have this setup - as I'd wager many here do.

Ganey

Readily available for L-82 covers from Mr. Gasket at Auto Zone, etc. Last 2 part no. digits 57.


[Modified by Ganey, 5:23 PM 6/23/2004]

Brown78

I have a good set of L-82 alum fin valve covers for sale. What do you want to pay???

Big Fish

I would be interested in those if they are within reason. E-mail: steveriebe@earthlink.net

87bob

If you want to make the change I'd use after market valve covers. Those valve covers are worth 140.00 ea new. I got a chrome set from Auto Zone for 35.00. The only problem I ran into was they are taller and I had to get an additional spacer for my EGR valve so it cleared the valve cover. I'd be happy to buy those stock covers if the price is right.

wugak

I plan to add aftermarket valve covers but mothball the finned L82 covers for later use. Thanks for all the advice guys!

OkeeGuy

here is my "Lars approved" setup...
works great and i get NO oil mist or anything like that...
i replaced the line going into the air cleaner with a billit "breather with a little modification...
i run the same Edlebrock air cleaner that NH Dave pictured...





[Modified by SIGNGUY, 7:42 AM 7/1/2004]