48 BigTrucks makes a good point I hadn't thought of, the vaccum in the crannkcase should help with the reducing pressure on the gaskets and keeping oil leaks down.

I should correct myself about the mechanical function of the PCV valve, it actually regulates the amount of vaccum applied to the engine. So, as many people have commented, it needs to be the right size for your engine. Basically if there is too much vaccum it closes. So, the direction of the flow through the PCV valve is important too.

I'm still a bit stuck on the idea of the PCV valve in the valve cover.

A friend yesterday suggested using a valve cover oil cap set up for a PCV valve, you know the ones that look like breathers but have a grommet and hose sticking out of them. He said the engine would breath through the carbs or the oil cap. If that is true then I can put a freeze plug in the draft tube hole. If it won't breath through the carbs then I could put one of those small K&N filters on the draft tube main body after cutting off the downspout.

Any thoughts?

'51 Chevy 1/2 ton w/'62 261, HEI, offy, fentons, dual carter/webbers, t-5 & 12 bolt posi