Blow-by problem?

renaissance man · #1 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 11:00 AM

Not real sure here...I have a 289 HiPo that is blowing oil through the K&N breather on the drivers side valve cover. I do have a pcv connected by hose from the intake manifold to the passanger side valve cover. Air coming in the front of the car is causing the oil to blow all over the left side of the engine and headers causing a mess. Now, the amount isn't much...maybe a few tablespoons but what a mess. The pcv has oil on it too. I guess I want to see how big of an issue this really is? The car only has 100 miles on the engine. Granted not everything is seated yet but I'm concerned. Some people think it's no big deal right now because of the mileage and some have cautioned me to have it checked.

ps: oil pressure stays constant at ~50 lbs.

Suggestions are welcome!

Brose · #2 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 11:37 AM

hey ren man
this is paul cass in corpus. for some reason i'm coming up as brose on my computer at school. anyway i think i mentioned this to you, when i was in austin a few weeks ago, that i had a similar problem and when i checked with a copression gage found that one cylinder had only abut 40 lbs. compression. turned out i had a cracked piston. this was on a new rebuild. check your compression and see if any cylinder or cylinders are low.
paul

renaissance man · #3 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 11:42 AM

Thanks Paul,

I forgot that you did mention that. I'm going to buy a compression tester this weekend. I have a few people volunteer to come by and investigate with me next weekend.

Will take help from any and all offers.

ps: I sent you an email.

Toivo · #4 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 11:45 AM

I'm assuming your valve covers are baffled?

Maybe you want to try the older style breather cap with a hose to the air cleaner?

just a-thinking

renaissance man · #5 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 11:54 AM

They are baffled. They are from Tony Branda. Problem is, even the pcv that is going to the intake (see pic, black hose at rear of manifold near carb.) is covered in oil?????

renaissance man · #6 (**permalink**) 01-11-2002, 12:38 PM

Just called the Summit Racing hotline and the tech suggest I install Moroso breather Grommets. They have a slit in them to allow air to enter but keep the oil from going back up the tube. Picture and description below:

"Universal, rubber, black, fits 1.22 in. diameter holes, integral baffle, breather grommets

These oil resistant rubber grommets have a built-in baffle to control oil. They're designed for use with valve covers that do not have an oil control baffle system. They are sold two per package and will fit all valve covers with a 1.22 in. diameter hole."

Cost: $4.95 for a pair.!!!!

RENEW1 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-12-2002, 09:08 AM

Had almost the same problem with cast Aluminum covers. Was using PCV on passengers side and open breather on drivers side. My car would suck oil from the PCV valve and burn it but only after the engine got hot. The problem is the baffling. These covers are not so good, and if you run high volume oil pump and roller rockers it's even worse. I put on Ford Motorsports covers and have had no problems since. Plan to copy the baffles in the Motorsports covers and tig weld some aluminum copys into my cast covers.

Rene'

renaissance man · #8 (**permalink**) 01-12-2002, 12:43 PM

Wow, I'd be interested in seeing pics of the baffles if you have them? I was also told by Ford (had my front end ligned today) that I could get some air cleaner material and roll it into a cigar shape and put it in the tube coming out of the drivers side valve cover. The 1/8" slot at the bottom is too small to have it sucked inside and it will still breathe but keep the oil off of the Mototsport breather that I have installed. Sounds like a good idea!

RENEW1 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-13-2002, 07:53 AM

"Ren Man"

Don't have pictures yet on baffles. Probably won't make them till Spring. It's Winter here! I can tell you that the ones in Motorsports covers are much longer than in the cast covers. The air filter material may work for awhile, but my guess is that eventually the material will plug with oil. I assume your engine has good rings and valve seals.

Rene'

renaissance man · #10 (**permalink**) 01-13-2002, 08:16 AM

Rene',
The engine is essentially new. Just bored .030" over...... May not have the rings seated just yet as it only has 100 miles on it to date. I probally will have to change the filter material but, only using that as a temporary fix till the "Breather Grommets" arrive from Summit Racing.

JAM1775 · #11 (**permalink**) 01-13-2002, 08:41 AM

I switched to the K&N breathers early in the season and later noticed oil residue on the driver's side. The breather was soaked. Ford Racing advised it was the K&N breathers and the driver's side was a bit lower to the cover therefore picking up more oil mist. I think when you rev the car the K&N's leak. I love the way they look but will consider switching back to the FMS chrome jobbies or the baffled grommets mentioned above. BTW my valves covers are the baffled black ribbed ones.

renaissance man · #12 (**permalink**) 01-13-2002, 08:55 AM

JAM1775,

Are they the Tony Branda or equivelent? Have the tube that sticks up? I'm putting some Filter material in the tube today to see what that does as an idea from the guys at Ford. Should still allow air to enter the crankcase. My air breather is comperable to the K&N, just Motorsport. Still oil impregnated and reusable.

JAM1775 · #13 (**permalink**) 01-13-2002, 08:44 PM

I do not recall if I got my black ribbed Cobra valve covers from Branda or FMS !! Boy am I a mess ! The passenger side had the high stack oil breather tube. That is the one I cut down but it is still 3/4" higher than the original flush mounted on the driver's side.

renaissance man · #14 (**permalink**) 01-16-2002, 05:44 AM

JAM 1775,

When I was at Ford this past weekend getting the front end aligned, one of the mechanics gave me a great idea to fix this issue even if only temporarily.

Buy some filter element material. Deutsch sells a piece that is about 2"x4"x1/2" thick ($3.95). Roll it so that it is 2" tall. Stuff it into the tube and put your K&N back on. Since it's breather material, it will allow sufficient air flow to the engine but will also prevent the oil from splashing up the tube. Replace when needed. Works great!

cwmcobra · #15 (**permalink**) 01-16-2002, 10:05 PM

Renaissance Man,

I have pictures of the baffles in the Ford Racing rocker covers. This is on a 460, but you'll get the picture. Email me and I'll attach the files.

Chuck

Frank Coppola · #16 (**permalink**) 01-17-2002, 07:12 AM

JAM1775, check out the thread "Oil Breather Catch Cans", you might want to consider this as well.