Dumb PCV question

[Cazman]

This is probably common knowledge here, but what is the deal with the PCV cap over the PCV valve. Before I broke down my engine, it only had the metal threaded PCV valve. No cap. It most have been lost before I got the car. I would like to find an OE cap, but I am wondering what the cap is for. Is is just for looks?

The picture is not mine. Is is supposed to be black or engine color?

 

[78Brougham]

I think it's black if I remember correctly, just like in the picture.

 

[HWYCRZR]

What year? I have never seen this on my ‘68 383. Mine just has the grommet and a hole flush with the valve cover.

 

[Davea Lux]

The early valve covers used on the closed chamber heads had the stove pipe to accommodate the breather caps. As PCVs came to be the law of the land they adapted and hooked the PCV to the stove pipe fitting on one side and retained the breather cap on the other side.. I am not sure but I think this was for the '64-'65 cars. The later cars had the PCV on one side in a rubber grommet and the other valve cover was vented to the air cleaner. A solid cap was added for the purpose of adding oil.

Dave

 

[Cazman]

Mine is a '68 440. It has the breather on one side and a grommet on the other. But in the grommet is the steel-threaded PCV valve. It must take the cap/cover on the valve.

 

[413]

Sort of. The cap PCV pictured above was used thru 1966. 1967 still had a oil breather cap on the stove pipe, but the PCV was in a rubber grommet.

All 1967 big blocks had closed chamber heads so that is not a determining factor on the type of PCV.

It was black on most cars. Some had it chrome plated.

 

[Newport 66]

My '62 has a pcv like that and the plug wire seperator/ bracket. But not the heater hose guide. That's interesting, what year?

 

[Dsertdog]

1966 383 drivers side. The breather cap is necessary for the PCV system to function.

Passenger side. Many aftermarket PCV valves are cadmium plated silver rather than black. Black ones are very expensive. I have some cad plated ones that I'll be selling for a lot less! I guess you could spray them back if needed.

I don't think that's a dumb question.

 

[Cazman]

I have the old PCV valve. It's this that I am wondering if I need.

 

[Dsertdog]

I have the old PCV valve. It's this that I am wondering if I need.

View attachment 362301

Yes. You also need the nut (or a nut) to hold the valve in the mount

 

[Davea Lux]

The black PCV valves were standard, the chrome ones were part of the optional dress up package. If the build sheet is available, I believe the dress up should show as a specific code.

Dave

 

[Cazman]

Got it. Thanks all.

 

[69 300 vert]

I have the old PCV valve. It's this that I am wondering if I need.

Never seen that on a '67 or newer big block. The listing is incorrect.

 

[Davea Lux]

Never seen that on a '67 or newer big block. The listing is incorrect.

Stove pipe valve covers went away with the open chambered heads.

Dave

 

[69 300 vert]

Stove pipe valve covers went away with the open chambered heads.

Dave

Also gone on in '67 on 440 / 375 engines with 915 or 440 / 350 516 closed chamber heads, direct experience back in the day. Still never seen a '67 with that. Maybe a small block, grandfather had a '67 SF 318 but it's been too long to recall.

 

[Polara_500]

My '62 has a pcv like that and the plug wire seperator/ bracket. But not the heater hose guide. That's interesting, what year?

The heater hose guide was on A/C cars.

 

[CBODY67]

Obviously, the rh valve cover on B/RB engines spanned many model years. Which is why the heater hose retainer is spot-welded to the cover when that item was used years earlier (on pre-'65 cars that placed the heater hoses over the valve cover, due to their narrower engine compartments and different hvac location, compared to the '65-'68 C-body models). #8 (above) is how our '66 Newport 383 2bbl is configured (from the factory). Air enters on the lh side and exits the crankcase on the rh side (which then had the pcv valve in it).

The production (black) valves were stamped "Stanadyne" on the flat, wide hex section. Didn't know what "Stanadyne" was until I learned that they built diesel injection pumps, years later. I believe the metal itself was black (possibly black anodized?), not just painted. The different metal coatings would probably mean they were made by other vendors, I suspect.

The engines with the chrome dress-up package would have had the chrome-plated pcv valve caps. Might have been more related to a particular engine option than as a separate-item option? And possibly a "Hustle Stuff" or "Direct Connection" item?

Enjoy!
CBODY67

 

[Davea Lux]

Obviously, the rh valve cover on B/RB engines spanned many model years. Which is why the heater hose retainer is spot-welded to the cover when that item was used years earlier (on pre-'65 cars that placed the heater hoses over the valve cover, due to their narrower engine compartments and different hvac location, compared to the '65-'68 C-body models). #8 (above) is how our '66 Newport 383 2bbl is configured (from the factory). Air enters on the lh side and exits the crankcase on the rh side (which then had the pcv valve in it).

The production (black) valves were stamped "Stanadyne" on the flat, wide hex section. Didn't know what "Stanadyne" was until I learned that they built diesel injection pumps, years later. I believe the metal itself was black (possibly black anodized?), not just painted. The different metal coatings would probably mean they were made by other vendors, I suspect.

The engines with the chrome dress-up package would have had the chrome-plated pcv valve caps. Might have been more related to a particular engine option than as a separate-item option? And possibly a "Hustle Stuff" or "Direct Connection" item?

Enjoy!
CBODY67

Was available as an order item or as a dealer installed option. As noted lots of parts flying around thru direct connection as well.

Dave

 

[413]

Guys, the drives side stove pipe was used from 1958 thru 1969 on big blocks. This is the oil fill location and the breather cap goes on it.
The passenger side stovepipe was used thru 1966, then For 1967 the PCV went to the rubber grommet. Again this closed chamber vs open chamber head doesn’t mean anything.

the heater hose bracket on the passenger valve cover was used on 1966 and 1967 big blocks, with standard heater and A/C. Possible omission of this valve cover bracket was 1967 383 A bodies.

2 factory engines that used the chrome PCV cap was 66-67 426 hemi and the 273 4bbl commando with the cool valve covers that were black wrinkle finish with the polished ribs on them.

generally speaking painted VC’s had a black PCV cap.

 

[69 300 vert]

the heater hose bracket on the passenger valve cover was used on 1966 and 1967 big blocks, with standard heater and A/C. Possible omission of this valve cover bracket was 1967 383 A bodies.

Used in '68 as well, gone in '69, at least on C bodies.