M1tch

Hey guys i have less than 2000 miles on my new engine and i just noticed smoke coming out of the passenger rear valve cover breather. My exhaust isnt shooting out blue smoke or anything so i doubt it could be a piston seal. The smoke is noticable though, could the colder weather have anything to do with it because of the viscosity? The engine is not overheating either, its running at a solid 160. Any ideas?

Rayvan

Check to see if your PCV valve is working...

Apeiron

I'll bet there isn't one.

M1tch

Yea i dont have a PCV Valve, is that the problem?

Doc_G

iTrader: (1)

subscribed for answer.

M1tch

Ok so I don't have a pcv valve hooked up, what would be the easiest way to do so? And is this why with the colder air, im seeing the smoke appear out of the valve cover breather?

Apeiron

The PCV system allows the crankcase gasses to be drawn into the engine and burned off. Without a PCV system, you'll have smoke from the breathers.

M1tch

What a relief, I was about to kill myself if my rings or seals were already bad.. Do you think my engine is ok as long as i dont go any longer without it? I have less than 2000 miles on it..

skinny z

Easiest way for the PCV is the factory setup minus the charcoal cannister if you're not using one. In my application I run from the PC valve in the drivers side valve cover to a manifold vacuum source either at the base of the carb or directly to the intake. The breather on the passenger side valve cover then acts as an air supply to the now negatively pressured crank case.
As for the smoke being obvious due to the colder weather, I can't say. I can say that when I've been working my engine pretty hard, not only was there smoke but oil was being pushed out of various engine gaskets because the PCV line had kinked as wasn't allowing proper ventilation.
As far as engine damage, I think you'll be fine. It gets messy though without it..

Rayvan

Engine will be fine. Just change the oil, as it's likely very dirty by now...

kerplunk318

iTrader: (3)

your rings havn't seated yet its not a problem. you could see this small amount of smoke for another thousand miles or so. i would forget the pcv valve if it is a non emission car, smoke should go away real soon

Apeiron

I wouldn't forget the PCV valve whether it's an emissions car or not. You'll have less oil contamination with a working PCV system.

Rayvan

Once could certainly do that, but keep in mind that your oil will have to be changed about every 1000 miles, like back in 1950.

kerplunk318

iTrader: (3)

car does not appear to be a daily driver, 1000 miles is a year for my non dd

online170

Amen....

I got sick of inhaling those ridiculously noxious fumes, real quick. I put in a PCV and forgot about it. If you REALLY want a breather, leave it on, and put a PCV on the other valve cover. That way it can suck in fresh air and ventilate it.

But its gonna stay smokey and destroy your oil. Hardly any reason to get rid of a PCV in favour of looks.


Theres another system as well, where you can put the breathers on, but there is a hose that runs down to your headers. So your exhaust scavenges the fumes and burns them along the exhaust. I've never tried this method, but it seems to be popular on pure drag cars.

M1tch

The weather will finally be in the 50's Sunday and I plan on connecting a pcv valve. Whats the best way to do it? I plan on buying some parts at a local auto zone or napa. Whats the most convenient way to run the line? What will cover up the valve cover hole? I have a Edelbrock performer rpm, so where is a good location to route it to? Thanks for all the posts!

Apeiron

The PCV valve will plug into a grommet in the valvecover hole, and you'll run a hose from it to the PCV port on your carb.

M1tch

Sorry to sound ignorant but where is the port on a holley 650? I can't find it on holleys website.. thanks alot guys

Apeiron

Holley has made a lot of 650s. Which one do you have?

M1tch

4150 mech secondaries manual choke

Apeiron

It's the only 3/8" port on the carb.

SLOWMARO355

duhhhhhhhhh

M1tch

thanks for the informative post.

M1tch

I bought a PCV valve for a 92 z28 camaro and bought a grommet that fit the valve snug, and put it on the passenger side valve cover. My mechanic drilled a hole in my 1" carb spacer for cruise control and made a little vaccum port. Well i decided i did not want cruise control so i just ran my pcv valve to there. It seemed to work fine, I did notice smoke come out of the driver side cover when i turned it on the second time after i got it all hooked up. Should i switch it over to the driver side though? Because there is only one grommet hole in that cover and no other smoke could come out except for that valve.