'Bolters helping 'Bolters is a beautiful thing!
| Around the 'Bolt... |
|
Search Discussion
Forums Gallery More than 3,140 old truck stories with photos from Stovebolters worldwide! More in our DITY Gallery. Tech
Tips Events The
Swap Meet FAQs Features Stovebolt Hoo-ya Stovebolt
Office Home |
No parts of this site, its contents, photos or graphics may be used without permission. |
Here is one solution to running early sealed valve covers on a later small block not having the road draft tube for crankcase venting. Most installations of this type I’ve seen have a hole punched in the top or side of the valve cover spoiling the cosmetic effect, or the smog hose connected to the oil fill tube just below the breather cap where it doesn’t vent the crankcase properly.
| 283 Valve Covers on a 350 Engine | ||
By Mark "Markeb" Brazelton
<< Click images for larger views >> |
 |
August 2010
|
Good form and function
After careful analysis of the rocker arm to valve cover clearance, I was convinced a smog vent could be successfully connected to the rear of the passenger side valve cover where it would be difficult to detect. I designed the two piece adapter shown here. My son machined it out of aluminum. He made a few improvements from the drawings by substituting stainless flat head screws threaded into the external half of the adapter.
The inside piece forms a shroud allowing oil to splash against the end wall and drain back into the head, much like a stock baffle. The external half provides the connection for the smog hose. Here is the drawing for outside the valve cover.
In a conventional engine compartment, the finished installation is nearly invisible. The smog hose routes behind the distributor (hiding the smog valve at the rear of the manifold) and comes up on the driver's side, attaching to the rear of the carb via a fitted hard line.
After drilling holes in the rear of the valve cover, the two parts were assembled using red Loctite, cork gasket material inside, and thin composite material outside. The steel tube was a tight slip fit into the external adapter also adhered with red Loctite.
There have been no oil control issues with this setup. The schematic does not indicate the curved tube which ultimately provided the best angle to hide the hose.
If further stealth is required more effort could be put into the final shape of the external half of the adapter.
Since the Corvette covers are so short, this method should also work with stock tin covers, Mickey Thompsons, or any type with a somewhat flat end wall. This arrangement may or may not work with roller rockers.
-30-
| Be sure to check out our extensive Forums discussions -- from General Truck talk, Electrical Bay, Big Bolts, Panels and Burbs, Engine and Driveline, Paint and Body, Interiors, Tool Chest -- The Stovebolt Collective can help in your quest and walk you through the mire and magic of working with old iron! |
They don't write songs about old Toyotas.