crankcase venting from valve cover race car

[Jerry G.]

Since this is a technical page I have a technical Corvette question. I am converting my dry sump small block road race car to wet sump and one of the issues I now get into is the venting of the crankcase. Does anyone have a bullet proof, proven valve cover venting system for road race small blocks. Things like internal baffeling and size of vents and rounting to catch cans come to mind. Any old racers that have already solved this problem. Jerry

[Clem Z.]

Re: crankcase venting from valve cover race car

just make sure you vent both covers with breathers because the oil can not run back into the pan unless air can get into the covers. the old NASCAR type that tied the covers together at the front works well. i think MOROSO still sells them

[Steven B.]

Re: crankcase venting from valve cover race car

'connected the valve covers as Clem described plus have a Canton small block road race pan and AC pump (LT-1) and no problems.

[Dick W.]

Re: crankcase venting from valve cover race car

As Clem said, connect the two covers together on the front, and use two of the push on vented oil caps on the crossover

[Jerry G.]

Re: crankcase venting from valve cover race car

Steve what is the AC pump for??

[Jerry G.]

Re: crankcase venting from valve cover race car

just make sure you vent both covers with breathers because the oil can not run back into the pan unless air can get into the covers. the old NASCAR type that tied the covers together at the front works well. i think MOROSO still sells them

What about internal baffels inside the valve cover. Are they needed?

[Clem Z.]

Re: crankcase venting from valve cover race car

What about internal baffels inside the valve cover. Are they needed?

the kits i bought had baffels in the tubiung you welded to the rocker covers

[Jerry G.]

Re: crankcase venting from valve cover race car

Thanks Clem. It's nice to have the benfit of your expirience.

If anybody out there has one( I already have a single) beatup Corvette aluminum valve cover they want to sell . I'll start fabracating.

[Clem Z.]

Re: crankcase venting from valve cover race car

the kit i used was made for steel covers and i used the taller aftermarket steel cover

[Alan T.]

Re: crankcase venting from valve cover race car

Jerry, I vintage race a 1969 Corvette and last year after I blew my motor (which was vented via the traditional two valve cover crossover setup), my engine builder (also a racer) said that setup was not necessary nor the best way to vent. The crossover setup had the breathers right in front of the air cleaner, not good. He drilled a threaded hole near the rear of the intake manifold (yes, into the intake manifold itself) and attached a hose leading to a vented catch can under the fender well (he also welded the original valve cover vent holes closed and you can't even tell they were there). This way, not only is the setup properly vented, it also has the [required per rules] catch can in case it pukes. I am not capable of going into the technical reasons why he said this was the best way to vent, but I trust him and it seems to work very well, plus it makes the engine much less cluttered and is easier to remove the covers for valve adjustment. To add oil, all I need to do is unthread the hose. See pic.

Alan

[Roger W.]

Re: crankcase venting from valve cover race car

Don't you have to have some kind of PCV valve on the vent line? Popular Hot Rodding Magazine had an artical on a catch can kit that they bought from one of the speed parts vendors. This big engine already had a PVC valve.

[Steven B.]

Re: crankcase venting from valve cover race car

Steve what is the AC pump for??

Jerry, that is just an AC fuel pump for an LT-1 that I put on at the same time. I don't know why I included that. I forget alot of things these days!

Steve

[Jerry G.]

Re: crankcase venting from valve cover race car

Alan, Thank you for your help. Which vintage group do you run with. i'd like to talk with your engine builder. it looks like he's going through the intake directly into the lifter valley. It could be that this is a better path given that the oil drain down holes may be filled with oil running down. Is your motor a Big Block? They had partculiar top end oiling and venting problems. Jerry

[Clem Z.]

Re: crankcase venting from valve cover race car

make sure the oil return holes in the heads clear the block casting because i have seen where the block casting partly blocked the holes. if you have the air cleaner sealed off from the engine compartment ,which you should have to get max HP, the front breathers should not be a problem.

[Jerry G.]

Re: crankcase venting from valve cover race car

Thanks Clem. i just took my flashlight and checked. They are open all the way through with no restrictions. Jerry