Here's what I have. A 1958 Chevy 283 V-8 out of a donator truck that has been rebuilt and I'm installing in my 1958 rebuilt. I'm removing the old valve covers(no holes) and putting on newer ones that have the holes for adding oil and for the PVC valve. On the block right behind the manifold is a tube assembly(as seen in the 1955-59 Factory Assembly Manual section 408 sheet 13.02 almost at the end of the manual). I'm pretty sure this is the ventilator assembly as was on the 235 that I took out of my 1958. When the engine was rebuilt the tube assembly was cut off about an inch from where it bolts into the block. Do I need this tube assembly or can it be plugged up? Also the manifold I'm using is a cast iron four barrel(1964-65) and it has the front tube for adding oil. Can this also be plugged up? If so what do I plug it up with? Both these holes have no threads, both tubes just slide down into the holes, except in the rear where a long bolt holds it in place. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Les
You can plug the oil filler tube with a freeze plug, not sure about the vent tube. If you do not like the intake with the filler tube, I would be interested in buying it and you could use one without the tube.
Crankcase Ventilation Plug both holes and use a vented oil filler cap as you must allow for fresh air to enter the engine else the PCV valve _will_ suck in a gasket , creating oil leaks . Conversely , you can use two rocker boxes with the PCV grommets and run a hose from one to the air filter cannister...
Nate. Thanks for the information. Help me understand what I have with the orginal system and what I'm planning to do because I'm no whiz when it comes to engines. If I understand correctly the oil fill cap on the front fill tube let fresh air into the engine and the internal ventilator let pressure out of the engine. So if I plug both holes, I need to create a fresh air source with the breather cap on the valvle cover and a PVC valve on the other cover to remove the engine pressure. Is this correct? Also can I remove the internal ventilator if I'm plugging that hole? Thanks for your help. Les
Correct . Be aware , if you're going to be flooring this engine for racing or howling up steep hills in compound low with a load of manure or bricks , it's going to spit oil out the breather cap.... Other than that , you're setting it up just like a '64 ~ '69 small block V-ate was , simple and nice to look at , works well too . If anyone here ever uses on of these great engiones used , be SURE to always replace the cam chain and timing gears as they wear and the timing chain stretches , retarding the cam timing and then performance and economy suffers in spite of good compression and no oil burning.... Often these engines have " flat " cams (worn out lobes) ans this can be replaced with the engine in situ , once again restoring great power to an otherwise worthless old engine....
