63 327/340 Oil Canister / Oil change

[Thomas S.]

I have a NOS oil canister. It contains two bolts which I know are used to hold the oil valve in place. In my case, I'm replacing the original canister so the valve is already installed. When changing the oil and filter, should that valve be removed, cleaned, and reinstalled, or just left in placed?

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 327/340 Oil Canister / Oil change

Tom, I leave mine in place. It is easy to remove and clean and will not cause a problem if you do. Remember there is a gasket between the valve and the block that will probably tear. Have a new one on hand to install.

[Ken A.]

Re: 63 327/340 Oil Canister / Oil change

The bypass gasket is not needed. We always blocked the bypass with a large bolt to ensure all the oil was filtered. The bypass was in place for the happy motorist who never changed oil or the filter which eventually stopped up the filter. Probably never a problem with Corvettes.

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 327/340 Oil Canister / Oil change

Ken, are we talking about the same gasket?

[Ken A.]

Re: 63 327/340 Oil Canister / Oil change

Yup.........................

[Thomas S.]

Re: 63 327/340 Oil Canister / Oil change

One thing leads to another . . . On a engine that has 100K+ miles (runs fine no smoke, no consumption) and not knowing if the oil bypass valve was ever changed, should it be replaced. There's likely no way to test it. My understanding is that it serves the purpose of passing oil when the pressure is above a certain level, such as a clogged filter, cold start, etc. Does it open or close in bypass mode and if the valve fails, would the oil always pass through the filter or would it bypass the filter.

[Ken A.]

Re: 63 327/340 Oil Canister / Oil change

I thought we were talking about Corvettes, not beaters. BTW, I've never seen a C-2 Chevy engine like you describe- they all use oil if you run them hard.

[Thomas S.]

Re: 63 327/340 Oil Canister / Oil change

not sure what you mean by "Beaters". I've only owned the car for 18-months. Not driven in the rain or winter until
salt has been washed away. Maybe 1,000 mile per year. By no consumption, I mean within that limited mileage.

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 327/340 Oil Canister / Oil change

Tom, I leave mine in place. It is easy to remove and clean and will not cause a problem if yoyppu do. Remember there is a gasket between the valve and the block that will probably tear. Have a new one on hand to install.

I agree...when I had my 63 judged I pulled off the spin-on adapter, dropped the bypass plate cleaned it up and reinstalled it with the gasket.
No worries..