Currently, my PCV valve/breather assembly runs a hose to the carb where it deposits its fumes to be run through the engine's combustion cycle.

Would I harm anything (other than our precious environment) if I get rid of the "PCV valve/breather/hose to carb" assembly and simply put in a breather similar to the one that is usually found on the opposite valve cover (i.e. with no PCV valve)?

I'm a big fan of simplicity, and a big hater of hoses and any type of electrical line. The attached photo of someone else's sweet looking engine inspired this thought (notice the lack of the hose to carb).


[IMG]local://upfiles/29286/67C71B0CBE69465380CC5DA6841B7BFD.jpg[/IMG]

 

I dont have the hose on mine, but now I'm finding oil coming out of the breather on the drivers side cover. The PO just plugged that hole in the valve cover. So i'm kinda in the same boat as you. Do you have a pic of how your's is now?

 

Here's a pic (below) of my current set up. Notice that the passenger-side valve cover's PCV/breather assembly has a hose running to the carb. I'd like to get rid of that and just put in one of those cool-looking regular breathers (that does not have a PCV valve) like in the pic above. The more hoses under the hood, the more clutter, and I hate clutter.

If the engine needs the PCV valve, then I'll keep the set-up and just dress up the hose when I dress up the rest of the motor. But, if the PCV/breather/hose system is merely there to prevent global warming, then I say off with it, as I'm not a big fan of the cold anyway.

[IMG]local://upfiles/29286/54F2642D0426472397608EE73219CF7B.jpg[/IMG]

 

Before PCV valves were invented, vehicles used a "road draft tube" or a " breather cap" which is a fancy way of saying they just belched the pollution into the air on the side of the engine. You are not going to hurt your engine by not using it. That little filter in the hole looks cool.

 

Thanks Glen - that "draft tube" sounds really old-school, and I like it!

And 19stang66, I remember your previous thread on your oil leakage issues. I think the oil is coming about of your breather because you have those inexpensive valve covers without the special flap under the breather grommet to prevent this very problem. Best of luck to yah!

Thanks again!

 

You'll need to clean up the drool that will be present, even when using the open filter as the oil is suspended as a vapor and will travel right around a steel baffle. "Technically" it is not legal to do, but like has been posted before, who's going to check.
Unless you have bad rings, a "once a week" wipe down should be all you'd need to do, even on a daily driver.
You will also want to keep that filter clean so your block can breath, other wise you will get main seal and gasket leaks like you've never seen before.
If you live in a high humidity environment, you'll get more moisture build up in the engine. Don't panick when you see the signs of moisture, just change your oil a little more often, and stay away from short trips where the engine doesn't get 30 minutes or more of driving after complete warmup.

So bottom line, the trade off is more maintenance, and possibly slightly less engine longevity, depending on you climate and maintenance, for a less cluttered engine compartment.

BTW: my first car had a "road draft tube". Kept the chassis well rust protected

 

Yeah, my first car was a '51 Chevy. That spot on the frame below that road draft tube got really nasty. I think if it were mine, I would try to figure out a way to pretty up that hose and keep the PCV valve. What's that chrome mesh tubing called?

 

Braided Steel

 

Yeah, that what I am thinking.

 

I personally would keep the PCV. It is a good system and if you are worried about looks, like Soaring said just make is look pretty. Should be easy. Actually now that I think about it it is called Steel braided line. Not Braided Steel. Same thing I guess.