PCV Set Up For Small Block ?

[tkb289]

I am planning the 302 motor for my ERA FIA / Street project and even if it's not required, thinking of running a PCV setup. I won't be racing or auto crossing the car, just street drives.


I know there have been a few PCV setups out there recently ...

- Interested in any Photos, from both sides of the motor.

- What parts were used?

- Comments or suggestions?



Thanks!

- Tim

[xlr8or]

PCV will help recirculate some of the crankcase gasses and burn them but it can't keep up at high RPM. You really need them to be a closed system to function properly.
You may just want vent the valve covers to the air cleaner and don't bother with the PCV valve.

[tkb289]

Thanks for the info ... I did not know that RPM can play a significant role in oil vapor, but it makes sense.

Let's see what others have to contribute.

[Rick Parker]

A correctly done PCV system for a SBF will be as follows. If you are running a healthy cam utilize the PCV Valve used in a High Performance 289 from 65-66-67 vintage. Put it in the passenger side (RH valve cover) and plumb it into the rear base of the Holley Carb. If the carb does not have a tube you will need to add a vented plate under the carb, they were OEM from Ford and are readily available on Ebay and from many other vendors. Then to seal the system you can run a 5/8" hose from a non vented Oil Filler cap on the Drivers Side (LH side) Valve Cover to a fitting on the base of the air filter assembly. Clones of the 289 Hipo air cleaner assembly can be had for about $39.00. Its a nice setup.

[tkb289]

Rick,

Nice setup and it sounds pretty straight forward, thanks.

To xlr8or's point ... when does oil vapor from a high RPM environment become an issue? My guess is for street driving in the 1000 to 3000 RPM range, most likely it's not a problem. However, in a hard driving or racing situation where the motor is running for extended periods of time from 3000 to 6000 RPM oil vapor would be an issue, especially for a wet sump motor.

Sounds like the Hi-Po PCV valve stands a better chance at higher RPM than a standard issue PCV valve and a pretty good setup for the street with the 'occasional' blast up to the higher RPM range.

[PANAVIA]

There are reproduction items to duplicate the 289 HiPo setup , so you wont have an issue.

-- you should run a PCV, it lowers crankcase acids and improves fuel atomization overall.

Once you have picked out your exact (particular) valve covers, your breather and PCV setup are pretty easy.

Feel free to stop by , I have most setups in place in various cars onsite.

Steve

[springin]

I just went thru this for my BAR inspection for SB100 compliance.
My local Pep Boys had everything. Two 1 inch valve cover grommets, one 1966 angled PCV, one 5/8ths angled vent adaptor, two short pieces of (Smog Hose) (very important) and the vent hose adaptor for under the air cleaner.

I passed BAR easily. Make sure your hoses have "Smog" stamped on them.

[xlr8or]

Yes for smog testing purposes on SB100 they will require the hoses used to be fuel quality hose. No vacuum hose allowed.

Tim you are correct that at low RPM the PCV will allow enough air to move through the system. At higher or sustained RPM the vent to the air cleaner will pull enough vapor to keep the pressure from building up.

[timsullivan]

My understanding is that BAR will flunk you if you don’t have a hose running from the valve cover breather to the air cleaner assembly. You can’t run a PCV valve with a hose connection to the carb base and just a breather on the other valve cover. The breather must be closed and connected with smog hose to the air cleaner base.

[Rick Parker]

Updated requirements are that it be a "Closed system". Evap Hose must be "Emissions" rated.

[tkb289]

Thanks guys for all of the detailed information.

Steve ... Next time I am at Mustang Ranch, I'll take a look at what you guys have, thanks.

[dave from mesa]

Sorry for being off topic here but you still have to pass smog even with SB100???

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by dave from mesa

Sorry for being off topic here but you still have to pass smog even with SB100???

Dave,

This is something new that they've introduced in the last year or so. I'm not 100% certain, but I think their goal was to ensure that people installed the minimum smog equipment for that era of car.

There are no other smog requirements once you have secured an SB100 number, and you don't ever have to deal with any smog or safety inspections.

[olddog]

Originally Posted by tkb289

When does oil vapor from a high RPM environment become an issue? My guess is for street driving in the 1000 to 3000 RPM range, most likely it's not a problem. However, in a hard driving or racing situation where the motor is running for extended periods of time from 3000 to 6000 RPM oil vapor would be an issue, especially for a wet sump motor.

It really isn't oil vapor that a PCV valve is used for. Combustion gasses leak past the rings and perhaps exhaust valve guides. Some call it blow by.

At WOT there is little vacuum and much blow by. A PCV system doesn't do much good at WOT.

[xlr8or]

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

Dave,

This is something new that they've introduced in the last year or so. I'm not 100% certain, but I think their goal was to ensure that people installed the minimum smog equipment for that era of car.

There are no other smog requirements once you have secured an SB100 number, and you don't ever have to deal with any smog or safety inspections.

Yep... As of this year you must pass the visual inspection. Smoggin as a '65 you must have a type IV PCV system. That is a closed system that requires PCV on one valve cover plumbed with appropriate hose type to the carb base and a sealed Vent on the other valve cover with appropriate hose the air cleaner base.

It appears they aren't bothering with the actual smog test anymore as the tail pipe output isn't really relevent since they will never be tested again.

[RodKnock]

Tim, you do realize that you just picked a color to paint your car right?

You ought to be worrying about the proper shade of white that you'll be painting those FIA wheels

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by xlr8or

It appears they aren't bothering with the actual smog test anymore as the tail pipe output isn't really relevent since they will never be tested again.

That's interesting since I got the impression that the State was monitoring the amount of pollutants being spewed into the air by these 500 exemptions that they allowed per year. Just in case.

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

That's interesting since I got the impression that the State was monitoring the amount of pollutants being spewed into the air by these 500 exemptions that they allowed per year. Just in case.

When I visited the Evergreen College BAR a few years ago, they just did the tail pipe test (no dyno). At the time, I recall other people reporting that BAR stations in other parts of California put their car on the dyno. My guess is that people will still encounter different requirements at different BAR stations.

I would think that they would have to do a tail pipe test at a minimum, so they have data in the system to apply the SB100 sequence number against (i.e. you fail, enter SB100, spit out "golden ticket").

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by olddog

It really isn't oil vapor that a PCV valve is used for. Combustion gasses leak past the rings and perhaps exhaust valve guides. Some call it blow by.

At WOT there is little vacuum and much blow by. A PCV system doesn't do much good at WOT.

Good explanation and good points thanks.

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Tim, you do realize that you just picked a color to paint your car right?

You ought to be worrying about the proper shade of white that you'll be painting those FIA wheels

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Rodney ... you know me all to well!

Maybe I should start a 'Shades Of White Paint For FIA Wheels' or 'Shades Of Black Paint For Torque Thrust D Wheels'