Oil filler tube removal

[Phil R.]

The oil filler tube on my L79 '66 has a detached deflector plate where the pvc valve screws in. It's still in there and the spot welds are broken lose. The tube is still installed in the intake manifold. Unfortunately for me, the intake manifold is already attached to the engine and I can't pound it out from the bottom.
Question 1) Is there an easy way to remove the tube?
Question 2) How important is the deflector plate?
Question 3) If the deflector plate is removed, what problems would it cause?

I need some help! Phil

[Joe L.]

Re: Oil filler tube removal

The oil filler tube on my L79 '66 has a detached deflector plate where the pvc valve screws in. It's still in there and the spot welds are broken lose. The tube is still installed in the intake manifold. Unfortunately for me, the intake manifold is already attached to the engine and I can't pound it out from the bottom.
Question 1) Is there an easy way to remove the tube?
Question 2) How important is the deflector plate?
Question 3) If the deflector plate is removed, what problems would it cause?



I need some help! Phil

Phil------

I believe the "deflector" you refer to is actually an oil baffle. It's there to help prevent entrained oil from entering the PCV system. On small blocks with in-valve cover PCV valves, the internal baffles are VERY important. I don't know if they're equally important on small blocks with filler tube mounted PCV valves.

If you wish to remove the oil filler tube NON-DESTRUCTIVELY, the only way I know to do it is from underneath. However, if you remove the filler tube from the manifold I doubt you'll be able to re-install it so that proper interference fit is re-established. In other words, the tube won't be "firmly attached" to the manifold.

I think what I would do if I was you is to just remove the baffle and see what happens. Monitor your oil consumption after the removal of the baffle. If it remains about the same as it was before you removed the baffle, I wouldn't worry too much about the baffle.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Oil filler tube removal

If your oil fill tube has the sealing cap like my 63, there should be a cammed end on the tube for the cap to engage into. I used a slide hammer pulling tool. The important thing is to make sure you have a good "inside" adapter that hooks into that cammed lip well. I've popped a number of them loose w/o much effort and did not damage them. Trouble is, with a 63 anyway, I pulled them to replace because of the rolled in PCV vent tube had come loose. One word of caution though; when you pound the tube back into the manifold, do not get carried away and give it one more whack (so to speak). It is easy to crack the manifold (specially an aluminum one) if you drive it in too deep. Don't ask me how I know. Perhaps, make a little temporary mark on the tube and do not exceed it when replacing. Also, guess it goes w/o saying, use a block of wood over a cloth of some sort so you don't damage the tube or get wood chips into the tube.

Stu Fox

[Mike M.]

Re: Oil filler tube removal

i've removed the tubes by slipping a 2' long piece of pipe over the tube, then gently rock the pipe back and forth the 360 degrees. the tube can't(and shouldn't) be re-used.mike

[Stuart F.]

Re: Oil filler tube removal

Mike; I love ya, but I wouldn't try doing that with a pipe on my 63. First of all, the pipe could only engage the filler tube by only a couple inches on mine, and believe me the aluminum manifolds will not take much side force in that area without cracking the boss. It may work well with a cast iron manifold, but I would not do it on an aluminum. On the later models with the PCV mounted in them, you have the same limited engagement situation. I agree; however, one should not plan on reusing the filler pipe once removed. If done with a puller, like I have done, you can do it w/o damage. But, I'd only remove it if it needed replacement.

Stu Fox

[Phil R.]

Re: Oil filler tube removal

Thanks for your help guys, I like the slide hammer pulling tool idea. I will give it a try.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Oil filler tube removal

try heating the aluminum manifold with a torch to expand the hole diameter because the aluminum will expand more than the steel tube.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Oil filler tube removal

Good idea Clem. Combine the heat with the Slide Hammer and it should come out like butter.

Stu Fox

[Clem Z.]

Re: Oil filler tube removal

Good idea Clem. Combine the heat with the Slide Hammer and it should come out like butter.

Stu Fox

clean it up with solvent and put some loc tite on the tube and i bet you can use it over again

[John D.]

Re: Oil filler tube removal

Rarely can I use an oil filler tube over again while doing an FI restoration. Especially the 57 to 62 oil filler tubes.
I learned long time ago to just include a new oil filler tube on every restoration.
Plan B: On 63's to 65 if we can get the oil tube out without beating the crap out of it I often will get it re-chrome plated.
Do you know a trained eye can glance at your engine and quickly spot if you have a repro 63 to 65 (2 different tubes) oil tube.
Don't ask me how as it's a secret.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Oil filler tube removal

[quote=John DeGregory (2855);491282]Rarely can I use an oil filler tube over again while doing an FI restoration.
john the watch word is "originality" remember.

[Jim S.]

Re: Oil filler tube removal

Rarely can I use an oil filler tube over again while doing an FI restoration. Especially the 57 to 62 oil filler tubes.
I learned long time ago to just include a new oil filler tube on every restoration.
Plan B: On 63's to 65 if we can get the oil tube out without beating the crap out of it I often will get it re-chrome plated.
Do you know a trained eye can glance at your engine and quickly spot if you have a repro 63 to 65 (2 different tubes) oil tube.
Don't ask me how as it's a secret.

John,

I am near the point of putting in the new Oil Fill Tube into my aluminum "66' mainifold.

Any tricks as to how to do it .I could let an engine rebuilder do it , however they could still ruin it, and they would definately get it all Icky ! I had it reskinned and beautifuly restored by Jerry Mcneish. So while no one treats my stuff as good as I do , no one ruins more stuff than I do as well . I would like to get this one right the first time !


Thanks ,

JIm

[John D.]

Re: Oil filler tube removal

Jim, 1st of all some of the repro oil filler tubes are oversize. So if you go blasting it in next thing that will happen is the aluminum intake will split. Been there (long time ago).
It may be necessary for you to grind off the bottom OD to prevent this from happening. Measure the depth of the intake-oil tube hole. Then mask off your chrome tube accordingly. After your grind off the desired amount then put the tube in the freezer for a while before pounding it in.
I use a rubber dead blow hammer to install the tubes.
Or you could use nice piece of oak and a hammer.
Make sure you get the angle correct.
Maybe others will jump is with better suggestions. JD

P.S. If your oil tube is not going to be a tight fit follow some of the suggestions on other posts. I quit using used oil filler tubes as most of them are loose.
Just like I learned the hard way not to use the dipstick tube over again as once it's installed and you try and remove it the part is loose.

[John H.]

Re: Oil filler tube removal

I could let an engine rebuilder do it , however they could still ruin it

Jim -

And they'd probably orient it with the bung for the PCV valve pointing in the wrong direction.

I re-used the original fill tubes on both of my 57's (after Jerry M. did my manifolds); removed them by rotating a piece of broomstick stuck in the tube, and re-installed them with a bit of Loctite Bearing Mount. Put 5,000 miles on the second one, tube never loosened up.

[Jim S.]

Re: Oil filler tube removal

John D:Thanks for the instructions.

John H: I never thought about that, one more reason to do it myself !

Jim