dabomb6608

iTrader: (3)

Hey guys, after reading a few threads about pvc systems and options for what i can run I have found several different options. I figured I would ask for what you think would work best for my situation. Its a fresh 400 motor with less then 200miles on the rebuild. I have cast alum valve covers on it that didnt have any holes from the manufactor for PVC or anything. So far I have only drilled the drivers side valve cover and installed the PVC. I have the 2 vac ports on the passenger side of the TB capped off.
My question is, do I need to drill a hole in my passenger side valve cover so I can add either a breather or hose to the TB? I really hate to drill holes into the pretty alum covers.

LilSki

iTrader: (1)

If you want to blow every gasket out of the motor you then leave it alone. Otherwise drill a hole and install a breather or connect to the TB. Crankcase venting is very important. If you drove it at all without any holes in the valve covers then you are lucky if the dipstick didn't pop up and shoot oil everywhere.

EDIT: Oh and it's PCV not PVC

dabomb6608

iTrader: (3)

Ok, thanks for the reply. I have always had the PCV valve installed. I just didnt know if i needed to install anything else. I will drill out the passenger side one tomorrow. I am going to go with just running a hose to the TB.
BTW: Thanks for the correction! I "think" that was a typo, cause I know ive always called it PCV. Oh well haha
Also, with just 200ish miles on the rebuild will I still have alittle extra blowby since the rings are still seating themselves? I didnt rev it over 3000rpms before 100miles and havent revved it over 3500rpms for the 100-current miles. I let it run for about 20min. upon initial startup. (I reused the cam/lifters/topend so didnt need to do a cam break in)

LilSki

iTrader: (1)

I drive it like I stole it on a rebuild. Many engine builders run dyno pulls right after cam breakin. The harder you drive it the better the rings seat in. Hard accels and decels are important to seating rings quickly. I'm not saying take it redline right away but for example the second I left my driveway I took it to 4k and pounded through the gears (6 speed) and then coasted in each gear down shifting early to get it to decel harder than normal. It is also important to vary your RPMs as much as possible to make sure the cam gets proper oiling on a flat tappet style.

As for the PCV you helped it by having the PCV valve in. But to work properly it need an IN (the hole you are missing) and an OUT which is the PCV valve.

EDIT: Just remember this is just my opinion on engine breakin. I'm sure others will disagree.

dabomb6608

iTrader: (3)

Ok, I think what I will do is what till I hit the 300mile mark and then drive it like I stole it. Its hard enough as it is not driving it like that right now, ive got a huge lead foot. Thanks again for the info.

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

What are you running ; MAP or MAF on your TPI?
If MAP you can run a breather on the cover
if MAF you need the hose to port on the TB because air to PCV system has to be metered through the MAF

dabomb6608

iTrader: (3)

Ive converted to EBL Flash. So it's now MAP.

dabomb6608

iTrader: (3)

Ok guys, my problems are getting worse. I have now drilled a hole in the pass. valve cover and installed a grommet and breather. I also swapped out PCV valves from my GMC Jimmy, just to know I had a properly working one. I drove it into town and it is still blowing oil out the Dipstick. Before I just related this to me not having a breather.
On top of that, it seems to be smoking alot more then I expected on acceleration. It is also smoking at cruise.(I dont really have a good shifter boot so when my windows are open it sucks air through the shifter hole, which in this case it was smokey). I am currently waiting for the engine to cool down some so I can do a compression check.

1tpi

You need to run a hose to the T- body

dabomb6608

iTrader: (3)

Going by this, I am running MAP so I should be fine with the breather.
Slight update, I did a compression check. 3 cylinders were low compared to the rest. # 1, 2, and 8 were all just shy of 100psi. The rest were all over 150 ranging around 180ish. I hate seeing results like this on a fresh motor that I put 900 dollars into and has less then 300miles. At this point im too disgusted to even think straight.

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

That would indicate that the rings have not bedded in yet on those cylinders.
Going too soft on a fresh engine and not putting enough load on the rings can do that.I would start hitting on the engine hard(ish)
Need to load the engine up (some cylinder pressure to bed rings in properly) ; top gear up a hill sort of thing

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

Only puts the fumes into the engine to be burnt; doesn't solve the problem of the cause of fumes

1tpi

Didn't say it would

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

Well that is the problem trying to be solved here
so your advice about the hose doesn't aid the cause any

1tpi

That's what the first post said, Soon that breather will drip oil
on those nice covers

dabomb6608

iTrader: (3)

Alright guys, I realize either way can work. Im going to use the breather for now. So theres no reason to discuss that part any further. Im super worried that this isnt just a case of those cylinders not seated fully yet. But I guess all I can do is keep driving it to see what happens. It just kills me when I look behind me after leaving my driveway and I see the smoke.
One thought I did have on the smoke coming through the shifter boot at cruise, is that it "could" be the oil burning off the headers from the oil dipstick puking some oil out. I guess time will tell.

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

As noted , drive it harder to put some load on the rings; have nothing to loose

Until you have the blowby problem sorted ,
you don't want the hose to TB hooked up as all it will do is fill your intake with oil like an old worn out fumy TPI engine does.
Easier to wipe oil off rocker cover than get it out of the plenum

dabomb6608

iTrader: (3)

Well, I dont have any good news to bring today. I did a compression check with it cold on #1 cylinder. It was right about 100psi. I put some oil down in the cylinder and it raised it to 125psi. So that right there tells me its rings. The one weird thing I dont get, is that the motor doesnt start anywere as easy as it did before. Before, I could turn the key and let the pump prime then hit it and a couple rotations it roared to life. Now I literally have to put the pedal to the floor to get it started. Especially if its hot. It also has a hesitation off idle, and seems like it wants to die alot easier once i start letting the clutch out(another words im having to rev it up more before i let the clutch out or it will die).
I took it for a drive, and drove it pretty hard to see if the rings would maybe start to seat. But once it died while pulling into my driveway and me not being able to get it started again for about 30mins, i decided that there wasnt much hope in them seating. I guess I will start tearing the intake and heads off of it the next time I get a chance, which will be tuesday.

dabomb6608

iTrader: (3)

Ive got heads off the car now. Im still confused to how this happened. The cylinders look completely fine. They still have the cross hatchs and I cant see any scarring. The motor is still in the car though so I havent pulled the pistons. I will try to get some pictures up sometime to show the cylinders.

1tpi

Any updates on this

dabomb6608

iTrader: (3)

Yep, pulled the motor this morning and just finished pulling the pistons. EVERY one looks like this,


The pistons that still had decent compression werent broke as bad, but you can see were it has cracked on every one.

bigchief

a sad day D:

LilSki

iTrader: (1)

Ring gaps too tight?

dabomb6608

iTrader: (3)

That is what I think it was. We had checked the gaps and they were in spec of my truck manual(it had the 400 motor listed) but im guessing they weren't correct.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

What gap did you set em at?
I have a stroker 400 and I set mine tight at 14 thousandths. Thats about the tightest you can go.

sonicwolf89

im having the same issue just about.. my dipstick doesnt pop up though and it smokes on decel from doing about 65 mph.. the motor sat for awhile so im am guessing it will stop when i drive the motor some more it may quit.. its not smoking as bad as it was though.