The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1957 235 Breather pipe dripping yellow creamy fluid

Have noticed dripping on garage floor a yellow creamy substance coming from the breather pipe.
Checked oil , now water bubbles, or indication that something is in the oil.All input would be appreciated.

Condensation- - - - -how often do you drive the vehicle far enough to get the engine up to normal running temperature? Take a 50-mile drive about once a week and the problem will disappear.
Jerry

Drive it 200 - 300 a week. Cold with frost this AM, could be condensation, went 250 miles yesterday, woke up and there it was.

The road draft tube only ventilates effectively at speeds above 30 MPH. That's one good reason to convert to a PCV system instead of using road speed to cause a ventilation flow through the crankcase.
Jerry

And the PCV system is so easy to install. Takes almost no time and probably less than $20. You will be glad you did.

http://speedprint.com/deves50/pcvinstall.php

Yikes. Do you guys get the same "Possibly Relatd Links" to the left as I do? Not Yikes. Yuck.

Deve,I see you used a Standard Brand V-178. Have you run this setup? That PCV is designed for a larger cubic inch engine then a 235. How does it idle?
I use a FV237, it is designed for comparable cube engines.

That is funny,and gross. Never noticed til you mentioned it.---Jack

Denny,
I have been running a PCV on my 216 for a number of years now. It doesn't cause any problems. With low vacuum, the ball doesn't close.

The ball in the PCV valve is basically a one way check valve and it's purpose is to close off the valve from the crankcase side (or valve cover side) in the event of a carb backfire that could conceivably shoot a flame through the valve and into the crankcase (or valve cover wherever it is mounted) and ignite the gasses in the engine.
PCV's are rated differently with a primary concern to how much vacuum it takes to unseat the ball and allow gasses to flow to be reburnt in the engine. Most take very little vacuum.
They are also sized to allow control of the amount of suction they can pass.

In our stovebolts, too large of a PCV will allow too much vacuum flow which effects the vacuum wiper operation (if equipped).
I installed a PV1053 in my modified draft tube and it works great and doesn't effect the vacuum wipers.
I tried a larger PV233 and it effected the wipers to where they wouldn't work, it diverted too much vacuum flow away from the wiper motor.

I adjusted my carb via the vacuum gauge method and on my 216 I get a steady reading of 19 at 450 rpm. Same as before the PCV mod.

The PCV mod seems to work fine for my 49 216 at all speeds/rpm.

Dave

Have you had any issues with the PCV drawing oil mist from the crankcase with this installation? The factory PCV system on the 261 has a large demister (close to a foot long) between the crankcase and the PCV valve. I do not know if the demister is needed in practice or not.

I run the system as advertised and it runs perfectly. Has nothing whatsoever to do with idle, rpm, nothing.. all it does is clean the bad gasses out of the lower end. No oil getting sucked into the lines.. I check that because I too think it could be an issue... but no, its not an issue for me at all. I have done this on a 1954 235 and the one I run now a stock 1959 261.

If you run vac wipers, or need the vacuum for something else, then I see a problem. But if your vac is wasted because you arent using it, just try it, then if I am wrong, you are out $20. Others with more blowby in your system because your engine is getting older and more worn might have problems. This is why I mentioned putting the valve further down the line, but you know what? If there is no sealing problems, it makes ZERO difference where you put it in the line.

I get lots of emails and messages saying thanks for the tip, but the only complaint I have ever gotten was from one person with lots of miles on his engine who admits he has lots of blowby and he swears the oil mist is getting sucked into it. So I know its a possibility, so people please.. just pay the $20 and a saturday morning or whatever.. give it a try. My bet is you will be so happy you no longer have a stain below your road tube and a very happy engine. If not, tell me here, in public! Thats how sure I am you will be thrilled. MY reputation means alot to me.