Oil out the valve cover
09-24-2015, 10:37 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
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Location: Denver, CO
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Oil out the valve cover
Hey all. ive been a way for a while... But, im back at least temporarily and have a question. Im blowing a LOT of oil and smoke out of my '68 from the passenger side valve cover, out of the breather in the valve cover specifically. Any ideas on what might cause this?
09-25-2015, 04:53 AM
#3
Melting Slicks
Blow by from worn rings
09-25-2015, 10:05 AM
#5
Le Mans Master
PVC needs to be present. Does the breather have a baffle on the underside of the valve cover?
09-25-2015, 11:20 AM
#6
Melting Slicks
09-25-2015, 01:05 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
Having a LOT of oil & smoke (esp the smoke) is known as "blow by" caused by weak or poorly sealed piston rings - time for a rebuild. If you put your hand/finger over the valve cover hole and can feel the pressure/puff of the expanding gasses bypassing the piston; that's blow by.
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joshtried (10-07-2015)
09-27-2015, 07:21 AM
#9
Melting Slicks
Joshtried,
I've got some experience with this problem, but the situations are different.
I do think that what's common here is that the engine crankcase's are pressurizing. My problem on the 383 I built: I didn't use sealer on the head bolts. Didn't take more the 300 miles and the head gaskets gave way with all of the high compression components installed. Oil was even being driven up through the PCV valve and staining the air filter element.
In your case, if I understand correctly, is that your problem has just gradually began, with perhaps a high time engine. It could be a head gasket going I guess, but like others here suggested, more likely piston ring wear doing it.
A leak down test can give you more information.
Good luck.
Steve
I've got some experience with this problem, but the situations are different.
I do think that what's common here is that the engine crankcase's are pressurizing. My problem on the 383 I built: I didn't use sealer on the head bolts. Didn't take more the 300 miles and the head gaskets gave way with all of the high compression components installed. Oil was even being driven up through the PCV valve and staining the air filter element.
In your case, if I understand correctly, is that your problem has just gradually began, with perhaps a high time engine. It could be a head gasket going I guess, but like others here suggested, more likely piston ring wear doing it.
A leak down test can give you more information.
Good luck.
Steve
09-28-2015, 03:47 AM
#10
Team Owner
Why do you have a breather on the valve cover? The '68 small block has an oil fill tube at the front of the intake manifold and the cap on it has 'breather' holes in it already. The breather on the valve cover is unnecessary; and if there is no oil baffle underneath that breather (inside the cover), I would expect it to 'spit'.
09-28-2015, 01:19 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
Why do you have a breather on the valve cover? The '68 small block has an oil fill tube at the front of the intake manifold and the cap on it has 'breather' holes in it already. The breather on the valve cover is unnecessary; and if there is no oil baffle underneath that breather (inside the cover), I would expect it to 'spit'.
post a pic of the other side of the motor, where the PCV should be, and the line to the carb. I am betting the PCV valve is gunked up or missing/hooked up wrong.
09-29-2015, 04:53 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
09-29-2015, 07:39 PM
#14
Team Owner
He 'knows' that he needs that 2nd breather, so this discussion is probably a waste of time.... 
10-03-2015, 09:25 PM
#15
Burning Brakes
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I didn't mean to disappear.. I have had school and work and family that I'm juggling with 2 16 hour shifts this week topping everything off. I've been a little tired. Plus a root canal. Sorry guys.
The PVC valve is hooked up to the port underneath the carburetor to the front passengerish side of everything. I'm on my phone for the time being, so picture are a no go for now. The valve does have a solid "tink" when rattled, and seemed to operate fine when I sucked on the end of the hose (though admittedly, I am not a PVC valve expert).
The car was at my grandparents for quite a while (after separation/divorce), and I did find a breather cap on the driver side as well while looking over everything again and scratching my noggin (there wasn't one there when I parked it, who knows). Today I went and bought a legit cap and replaced that.. So, the driver side has an oil cap closest to the firewall, and PVC up toward the oil fill tube.
As for amount of oil, it CAN shoot upwards of 3-4 quarts over 10 miles. I've had people drive behind me thinking my car was about to burst into flames.
The PVC valve is hooked up to the port underneath the carburetor to the front passengerish side of everything. I'm on my phone for the time being, so picture are a no go for now. The valve does have a solid "tink" when rattled, and seemed to operate fine when I sucked on the end of the hose (though admittedly, I am not a PVC valve expert).
The car was at my grandparents for quite a while (after separation/divorce), and I did find a breather cap on the driver side as well while looking over everything again and scratching my noggin (there wasn't one there when I parked it, who knows). Today I went and bought a legit cap and replaced that.. So, the driver side has an oil cap closest to the firewall, and PVC up toward the oil fill tube.
As for amount of oil, it CAN shoot upwards of 3-4 quarts over 10 miles. I've had people drive behind me thinking my car was about to burst into flames.
10-03-2015, 09:55 PM
#17
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joshtried (10-07-2015)
10-04-2015, 05:52 AM
#19
Race Director
if drain holes are plugged up, prev owner never changed the oil. pull PCV valve and check for vacuum on bottom of valve with engine running. but dude, you need an engine...
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joshtried (10-07-2015)
10-04-2015, 06:47 AM
#20
Melting Slicks
So what? Big deal! Considering this forum, you obviously don't know where your priorities are. Root canal; Lightweight! 
Seriously Josh, I meant to respond to the posts regarding your disappearance. We all have things going on in our lives. Don't sweat the small stuff my friend.
OPs who don't respond can make us feel unappreciated and that we wasted our time. But it's not a big deal, and I don't mean to add to it.And speaking of small stuff; if I understand your latest thread, you've got some real big stuff going on with that engine and a very serious problem. To consume 3/4 quarts of oil in that short amount of miles is astonishing. Take the advice already given here on the fix and good luck with it.
Steve