I would like to put a closed crankcase system on my '60 401. I saw a picture of what looked like a factory right side valve cover with the PCV valve in it. Any ideas what year, model, motor I might find this cover on? Thanks, Steve weim55 Colorado
Yep,,, seems like I remember the pcv first appearing on just about all American made cars in 63... this should be a easy upgrade,,, the pcv will keep the inside of the engine cleaner than the old road draft system....and it cuts down on the oil leaks too, because the engine cannot build up pressure inside it....just clean the valve and ck the hose on a regular basis....
What are you going to do about the carb? The stock '60 carb has the vacuum starter switch for the push to start feature and no provision to connect a hose to the PCV system. Will you switch to a later model carb (one without a vacuum starter switch but with a PCV connection) or use the stock carb with a spacer plate with a PCV connection? You will probably also need the valley pan from the '63-'66 engine because it won't have the connection for the road draft tube like the stock '60 valley pan. I think all of the nailheads used an open PCV system (fresh air was drawn in through a breather on the valve cover), but later engines used a closed system where fresh air came from the air cleaner. Some people just place the PCV valve where the road draft tube attaches and use the original valve covers and valley pan. Buick had a kit for this a one time: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=192446
My plan was to locate the correct valve cover that has a factory PCV hole and baffle, then use the old road draft hole in the valley piped to the air cleaner. Use a non breather closed cap for the other valve cover. A true closed system to keep the engine compartment cleaner and lose those nasty fumes under the hood. Should still look close to factory. Not sure where I'll pick up a vacuum port just yet but I'll come up with something. For sure retain the original carburetor and starting system. Soooo, I need to start looking for factory stamped steel valve covers '63 thru '66 ?? Thanks for the replies, Steve weim55 Colorado
so -the nailhead valley cover i have that has a maybe inch 'n a quarter size short tube/opening stickin up in the back will be for pre-pcv vehicles ? thinkin thats what it was probably . del
That was for a downdraft tube which vented the crankcase under the car. Great also for rust prevention.
You could find a grommet to fit & install the PCV valve into that. It already has the mesh inside to keep the oil out of the PCV system. Then all you would need to do is find a high volume vacuum source.
I just replaced the draft tube on my '62 Nailhead with a PCV valve. The motor runs better than ever, more oil pressure, eliminated nearly all oil consumption and no more fumes in the car. My motor wasn't stock so that wasn't a concern. I bought a custom valley pan from Tom Telesco with a PCV valve in it and ran the hose to the Edelbrock carb. I debated on doing this for a long time. '62 was the last year for the draft tube and it was kind of a piece of history, but the car is so much more pleseant to drive with out the fumes and I'm very happy that it all but stopped the oil consumption problem I had.
I forgot I had this. This is a diagram from a '62 Buick manual that shows an option for removing the draft tube and replacing with a PCV valve. Drawing dated in 1961, I don't know if this was used on some '62 models or not. It shows factory parts numbers. I'll attach the diagram.
If my tired brain is still working a little, I believe that California required PCV starting in 1960. I also believe that there were PCV retrofit kits available in CA for older cars. I think that at one time, California required all used cars to be retrofitted with PCV at the time of sale if it were practical to do so. There were exemptions (from the retrofit) for older cars. I do remember running across a '56 Mercury with PCV installed. As Tom T says, 1963 was the first year for a factory installation. That was the year PCV became a federal requirement.
