Oil Splashing in Lifter Valley

I have a 455 and Edelbrock Performer intake. There's oil splashing up on the PCV opening in the intake. I see TA is now making a tidy oil baffle for the lifter valley: http://www.taperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TA_1738-455

Any other popular options out there?

I searched around and saw AutoMach also made a tray that didn't require drilling.

My engine builder hacked a sheet metal cover over the PCV opening and screwed it into the intake with self tapping screws. He was too damn lazy to even grind off the screw coming out of the intake top. Annoying as hell and not very confidence inspiring in the rest of his work.

 

WTH? Your valley pan is there to fix this issue. Do you know if the builder installed it? if the guy ran sheet metal screws into your intake I'd go
elsewhere

 

WTH is right - what a freaking idiot he is. No doubt he didn't have a valley pan and was rushing to get it out. Words fail me. Looks like FelPro makes the pan pictured above. I was wondering why TA makes their baffle instead of just using a typical valley pan.

 

Thanks, Larry - very helpful.

 

I started an informative thread a while ago pertaining to the valley baffling system.


http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?th...lley-baffle-tray-from-t-a-performance.315153/

Larry

 

Mike from AMP makes a plate that simple lays over the valley end and gets held down by the intake. A little silicone under it and between it and the intake. Only issue is its can be a lot of clean up.

I installed ta new bolt down shield. It super easy to to drill and tap. Not 's good idea on an assembled motor. Mine came out a tiny touch crooked and it's a little tricky to get on......had to bend it a little to clear my lifters, but I'm betting it's to to be not being perectly straight.

But did keep oil where it should be. The AMP valley pan can be easily installed on any motor at any time, only slightly more money than a stk valley pan and no cutting needed.

 

That sounds like some very shoddy work by your engine builder. I'm hoping you know at this point you need to take your business elsewhere.

As others have said, these engines came with a valley pan for a reason. Lots of these old V8s do, and they make a significant difference. Not only does it minimize oil consumption through the PCV, but it also minimizes hot oil coming in contact with the underside of the intake. This is especially important on engines where the exhaust crossover is not blocked off, as the heat will rapidly char the oil that comes in contact with it. We've all seen old intakes that were piled up with oily crust under the exhaust crossover, and this is why. This is exacerbated without the valley pan.

Off the top of my head, Olds V8s use it, as well as Ford Cleveland/M V8s, and others.

Pontiacs use a slightly different setup, where they have a separate baffle tray that seals off the lifter valley(as opposed to the intake itself). These are hollow trays that are semi-baffled to minimize oil getting to the PCV. They aren't as effective as I would like, so when strict adherence to stock appearance is not a factor, I typically run a separate baffle in the PCV line or even a catch can. You would be amazed how much watery, contaminated vapor you will catch in a catch can setup even with a very healthy, fresh engine. On an engine with some miles on it that is even a little worn, it can be pretty staggering.

So, I would always install a factory style intake valley pan/gasket setup. It will make a big difference. There's a reason the factory used them instead of just gaskets to seal the intake.

 

I thought I would paste the thread I started back in October of 2016........... Just click on the link on my post above (#6) to read the whole thread with others input..................................................

I just thought I would post a little about a New Part from T/A Performance that I installed today on one of my 455's. While speaking with Mike Tomazewski I found that he has had this idea for quite some time and has now made it available to the Buick community. It's main purpose is to prevent the HOT oil spray coming up through the cam tunnel from reaching the bottom of the intake manifold. A side benefit is quicker oil return to the pan. These are available for the 400/430/455 as well as the 350 and would be benificial when using composite intake manifold gaskets or for more oil control. Installation is as easy as: Centering it in the valley, Center punch, Drill and Tap....Done. I chose to spot face the cam tunnel because I had the cutter available through a machinist friend but it is really not necessary. The Baffle Tray is constructed of sturdy aluminum and comes complete with Grade 8 bolts, flat and lock washers. Mike also mentioned that he feels the installation could be performed on an assembled engine in car (less camshaft) using a section of PVC that is split lenthwise and then attached to a shop vac to catch any metal shavings. During a cam change would be an opportune time for this upgrade. He is working on outlining all the details for that scenario. I believe the part number for the 400/430/455 is TA-1735. For further details or to verify any of the information / procedures you should contact T/A Performace.

Thanks Mike, for a simple but effective addition to our passion.


Larry

 

Thanks, everyone. This group never ceases to impress me with its knowledge base.

 

The reason for the T/A baffle or mine is with the use of an aluminum intake, heads or both, a steel intake gasket is a bad idea. I can't tell you how many 70's Oldsmobile engines that came with aluminum intakes that I replaced the gaskets on when they were about 3 years old.

 

I use Mike Phillips' (American Machine and Performance) lifter valley pan. What I like about it is that the intake to block seal on a stock block is very narrow, but put a bead on, put the pan on, and you have a seal area for the intake that is at least double width. Seals nicely every time.