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I just picked up some used aluminum valve covers for my 69 350 engine. My question and concern is that I missed the fact that both covers have the piece missing on the cover’s underside where the hoses are plugged into the grommets. I don’t know what you call the missing pieces, and exactly what their function is, but is it ok to still use them? Now I know why I got the covers so cheap! Thanks for any insight anyone can give me.
Hi John,
The purpose of the oil baffle is to allow just crankcase air to be pulled into the pcv valve....it prevents oil from entering the valve.
Regards,
Alan
I believe you are refering to a baffle. If you apply any vacuum (PCV) to the valve cover without a baffle in place, prepare to burn oil. If its an older engine w/o a PVC system maybe you can install a pair of push-in breather caps of your choice.
Thanks to both of you for your response. Looks like I'm out some money but learned a lesson. I doubt there are any loose oil baffles laying around these days I can put into the valve covers.
Hi,
I believe you'll find that both sb and bb engines were originally equipped with a pcv valve during the 68-69 model years.
It was typically on the left side valve cover for sb engines.
Regards,
Alan
Thanks to both of you for your response. Looks like I'm out some money but learned a lesson. I doubt there are any loose oil baffles laying around these days I can put into the valve covers.
Do not consider this a complete loss. I have so many valve covers at my shop i will take a look at the baffle and see if one can work for you if you care to attempt to install it.
You only really need ONE baffle. And that is for the driver side valve cover. There really is no need for a baffle to be in the passenger side valve cover due to it is the fresh air entry point.
NOW..I am totally aware that on many engines I work on that have teh fresh air crankcase breather filter in the air cleaner on later year models. I can often times find oil residue inside the air cleaner and that is due to issues with incorrect PCV valves being installed or other engine problems....and those engines DO have an air baffle in the valve cover on the passenger side.
SO....if someone what to get super technical...then it is very plausible that a baffle for the right side is also needed due to the PCV's of today may look correct but may not actually work correctly.
This is when getting one of those adjustable billet PCV valves is the way to go so it can be set.
Do not consider this a complete loss. I have so many valve covers at my shop i will take a look at the baffle and see if one can work for you if you care to attempt to install it.
You only really need ONE baffle. And that is for the driver side valve cover. There really is no need for a baffle to be in the passenger side valve cover due to it is the fresh air entry point.
NOW..I am totally aware that on many engines I work on that have teh fresh air crankcase breather filter in the air cleaner on later year models. I can often times find oil residue inside the air cleaner and that is due to issues with incorrect PCV valves being installed or other engine problems....and those engines DO have an air baffle in the valve cover on the passenger side.
SO....if someone what to get super technical...then it is very plausible that a baffle for the right side is also needed due to the PCV's of today may look correct but may not actually work correctly.
This is when getting one of those adjustable billet PCV valves is the way to go so it can be set.
DUB
Thx for the detailed response. This forum is really a great tool when trying to get knowledge on different topics. I think trying to properly retro fit a baffle on a valve cover would be difficult at best. The good news is I may be able to get my hands on a correct valve cover for the PCV side of the engine, leaving the non baffled cover for the passenger side, as you suggest. Thx again to all for your help.
I've never tried one but Moroso used to make pcv gromets with built in oil-baffles/filter that fit the aluminum valve covers with the knock out holes (no baffles)
Last year I machined a bracket for a guy to hold an external PCV oil-separator but that's not something you're wanting to get into I'm sure
M
The original baffles were crimped in around the holes in the covers, so would be virtually impossible to reinstall if they aren't destroyed during removal.
You don't need to scrap your covers. I made some crude baffles for a set of covers and epoxied them in place. You could do the same. I used basic square aluminum tubing, ordered off Amazon or McMaster-Carr or found at a home center. I used 1" square 1/16" wall aluminum. Cut to length, Cut an opening to match the hole in your covers and epoxy between the ribs in the cover. I used a dremel to cut a square out of the side facing the hole and grommet. This is all you need and keeps oil from sucking directly out the holes. Clean the inside of the covers with brake cleaner and then alcohol before the epoxy. Leave just a little bit of gap at the ends.
Last edited by JoeMinnesota; May 9, 2018 at 10:19 PM.
[QUOTE=JoeMinnesota;1597168537]The original baffles were crimped in around the holes in the covers, so would be virtually impossible to reinstall if they aren't destroyed during removal.[QUOTE]
which is why I was going to take a look and see how much of a cluster it was going to be to remove and re-reinstall.
69 valve cover question
which is why I was going to take a look and see how much of a cluster it was going to be to remove and re-reinstall.