RPO 242 California AIR Question

[Dave S.]

This option was used in 1961 and later but was it used in 1960. ?? I have a yellow tag - Part Number 3781283 dated 12-17-59 titled Crankcase Vent Valve Service Instruction with that date. Does the Dec. 1959 date mean this option was available in 1960. ????

[Gary C.]

Re: RPO 242 California AIR Question

Dave, maybe some of the west coast natives have better info than I rememberor Joe Lucia can find in it his parts books. When I came back from southwest Asia I ordered a '61 and took deliver in Sep 60. Just remember the service techs and myself were all ogling the new fangled gadget aka PCV valve that replaced the crankcase breather tube. Gary....

[Duke W.]

Re: RPO 242 California AIR Question

It's PCV, not AIR.

California required "closed" crankcase ventilation systems beginning with the 1961 model year (and they were required on all US cars for the '63 model year.)

I'm not aware that OE engineered PCV systems were required for any 1960 model year vehicles, so that date for a service part does seem very early.

Duke

[Cecil L.]

Re: RPO 242 California AIR Question

The tag was to be hung on the mirror as part of FOA 242, Special Crankcase Ventilation Equipment for 60 and 61 (and probably later) passenger cars. The old RPO 417, Engine Positive Ventilation, which had been available since at least 1949, became LPO 1019 for 6 cyl engines when the RPO 242 came out. I had a 55 Cameo pickup and a 55 Convertible that both had RPO 417. They were both California cars.

[Dave S.]

Re: RPO 242 California AIR Question

Duke,
Thanks for correcting my description. Obviously AIR is Air Injection. My mistake.

Cecil,
Sounds like the use of PCV went back a bit in Chevrolet passenger cars. Are you thinking that all or possibly only later 1960 Corvettes had PCV. ??

[Cecil L.]

Re: RPO 242 California AIR Question

Dave,
My 60 Passenger assembly manual des not list the old RPO 417 or RPO 242, but it does show the LPO 1019 for 6 cyl engines only. I suspect the RPO 242 replaced RPO 417 probably in 60 but somehow got overlooked in the assembly manual. As for why RPO 417 wasn't available in the Corvette, I would imagine that it has something to do with the lack of an oilbath air cleaner. The 417 option required cutting a hole in the air cleaner lid and attaching an ugly adapter with sheet metal screws which probably wouldn't fit the Corvette image and might not function as well as it would on the oil filled cleaner.
JMHO