Things that make you go “Hmmm.”

[danmas]

I probably could title this post a little differently but I will keep it PG…. As many of you know I have a 351w, bored and stroked to 427 or there abouts. Running a Terminator X ecu with a efi system that Jim Inglese designed. Papa suggested an oil catch can, which makes sense. Don’t want engine oil spewing out of the valve covers. Today I did a little hack because I’m not sure where to put the oil catch can and I’m waiting on the other header. My hack was to marry an intake filter to the breather on the valve covers… won’t last but I can probably do a couple of first start tries and maybe a little bit of go carting….
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=214395&d=1748474646

So the thing that makes me go hmmm…. A neighbor wandered into my garage and immediately led off with “I need a rebreather to prevent my rings from exploding”.
Evidently you can force the output back into the engine through the pcv valve. Actually I think one replaces the pcv with a more sophisticated system.

I’ve never heard of this but I guess it is a thing. Does anyone think I need this?

[Jim S]

I guess I'm not following what your neighbor is thinking. :confused: What would cause your rings explode? I could understand if the rings were gapped too tight and the ring ends butted. Aside from that I can't think of anything about engine breathing that would cause the rings to explode.

So unless I am missing something, this isn't something you need to worry about.

As far as your catch can... I too am running a 351W bored and stroked to 427. While it has a valve cover breather placed like yours, I don't have a catch can. No oil leaks. If you were running a crank case vacuum pump, then yes an oil catch can would be a good idea.Pulling vacuum in the crankcase will cause the oil mist to be drawn into the vacuum pump and dumped to the engine compartment. It makes a big mess.

[danmas]

I guess I'm not following what your neighbor is thinking. :confused: What would cause your rings explode? I could understand if the rings were gapped too tight and the ring ends butted. Aside from that I can't think of anything about engine breathing that would cause the rings to explode.

So unless I am missing something, this isn't something you need to worry about.

As far as your catch can... I too am running a 351W bored and stroked to 427. While it has a valve cover breather placed like yours, I don't have a catch can. No oil leaks. If you were running a crank case vacuum pump, then yes an oil catch can would be a good idea.Pulling vacuum in the crankcase will cause the oil mist to be drawn into the vacuum pump and dumped to the engine compartment. It makes a big mess.

It sort of felt like he needed to share his observations with me. While I have no doubt the guy can build cars, he has a very strong opinion on many things. I’m not sure his observations apply to my build but I didn’t know. I’m going to chalk this up to an interesting conversation and just push on….

Appreciate it.

Dan

[gbranham]

No catch can on my 427. Just a breather in one valve cover, and a PCV valve in the other, plumbed to vacuum. No leaks.

[CraigS]

I see many cars w/ a similar setup. They often stick up vertically to help some getting the oil to drain back into the VC.

[Mike.Bray]

I have a breather in one valve cover and a breather in the PS valve cover connected to a catch can mounted to the front of the PS foot box. Or I did, the nipple pulled out of the PS breather so I had to get it welded in. In the meantime I've been two breathers and it's been working fine.

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[ggunter]

Did your neighbor explain his logic in why your rings would explode? I would sure like to hear this.

[danmas]

He didn’t really explain other than my setup was bad and he knew the right way to fix it. Honestly I think he was just being one of those guys that need to know more than you do. And he probably does. That said, I appreciate the help. I’m going to toss my silly horizontal hack and just pop in ford breathers and worry about the catch can later. Or never.

Thanks,

Dan

[BEAR-AvHistory]

I have a breather in one valve cover and a breather in the PS valve cover connected to a catch can mounted to the front of the PS foot box. Or I did, the nipple pulled out of the PS breather so I had to get it welded in. In the meantime I've been two breathers and it's been working fine.

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Ran a catch can connected to both valve covers for a few years. Got tired looking at the hoses & installed two breathers about 5 years ago, no issues so far.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=189405&d=1693126967
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=202022&d=1721414949

[bobl]

I've built a lot of engines. Never used a catch can or blew oil out the breathers unless it was broken or high boost. The trick is to have good valve cover baffles. It's interesting to watch on the dyno. When you first fire an engine you'll get some smoke from the exhaust and breathers. As you start loading it you can see and feel the rings start to seat and all the smoke goes away. Late model engines are different, especially boosted applications. They have some blowby and usually have a catch can.

Bob

[Ford & Jeep Fan]

A lot of people use the catch cans just to make sure the intake plenum and runners stay cleaner over time with less oil residue provided by combustion Vapors.

[Norm B]

I run pcv valve on the passenger side and a breather system on the driver side. The pcv line runs through a catch can to lessen the oil into the intake. Works fine and have drained the catch can a couple of times. Baffles on the pcv side probably could be better!
Nothing wrong with your open breather system. Rings will not blow up. A catch can with a breather attached might prevent oil mist in the engine bay.
My humble opinion is your neighbour is full of dog shirt.

[danmas]

I have a breather in one valve cover and a breather in the PS valve cover connected to a catch can mounted to the front of the PS foot box. Or I did, the nipple pulled out of the PS breather so I had to get it welded in. In the meantime I've been two breathers and it's been working fine.

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I pitched my silly hack and purchased two of the ford breather valves like you have. I do have a cool oil catch can that I may put on, but that is down the road a bit…

[rponfick]

I pitched my silly hack and purchased two of the ford breather valves like you have. I do have a cool oil catch can that I may put on, but that is down the road a bit…

I am sorry to hear that. I thought your breather system was rather elegant. You remain busy these days.
Ralph

[danmas]

I am sorry to hear that. I thought your breather system was rather elegant. You remain busy these days.
Ralph
You are very kind Ralph. I have been called many things but rarely elegant. I’m trying hard to get the car in better shape before I go watch 24 hours of Le Mans. It’s a bucket list item and my Aunt and Uncle are coming with. Or rather I’m going with them. It’s probably our last chance to see it together given some of their health conditions. I think my Dad would have really liked seeing it with me but we missed that opportunity. Carpe diem and all that.

[ggunter]

Good looking engine and compartment. The stack set up is super cool looking, but the lack of filtered air will show up over time if you put any miles on it.

[rich grsc]

Not really. Have 30,000 miles on my system no issues, and he does have filters, like I do.