[silverstud67]

I have a 67 El Camino that I am rebuilding and was preparing the engine to be painted. When I took off the intake manifold I noticed at the rear area there is a cone shape metal object bolted to the bottom of the engine block. I'm assuming it is a function of the smog system but I've never seen this before. So does anyone know what it is, it's purpose and can I remove it? I live in California so I'm not required to smog this vechicle so I'm hoping it can go away and I can put my new intake manifold on when the paint dries.:dontknow:

 

[PopeyeSteve]

Your 327 should be a pre-smog block. If you are talking about a sheet metal piece bolted to the rear of the block, low in the lifter valley, it is an oil baffle to help keep some oil out of the draft tube. These engines breathed directly to atmosphere, draft tube next to the distributor and down the side of the engine next to the bellhousing and a vented oil filler cap. Leave it there, it is designed to help keep oil from splashing into the draft tube.

 

[PopeyeSteve]

By the way, at some point (I'm not sure which year...around '67-'68) they routed the vent from the draft tube hole in the rear of the block with a PCV device, then into the carburator base.

 

[BOOSTED-SS-ELKY]

Can he take that piece out, plug the draft tube and vent the crankcase with some breathers in the valve covers?

 

[TheElkyMan]

Not sureif you're interested

I have a set of 327 chrome valve covers with 300 stickers on them. They are original turboflight valve covers. If you are interested or you know anyone that is, email me @
[email protected]

Thank you. Oh I have NO idea what that is. Good luck with your elky tho.

 

[silverstud67]

Thanks that's a big help. I am interested if it can be removed and rerouted through the breathers in the new valve covers I'll be buying soon. I assumed it had something to do with either the oil system or smog but never seen one before.:smileyb:

 

[PopeyeSteve]

You can put a plug in the block for the draft tube hole and in the intake manifold for the oil fill hole and vent the crankcase through the valve covers, then add an oil filler cap in the valve covers if you want. It is not an issue with the green police, just a visual aesthetics thing. Some people like smooth, clean valve covers. If you vent through the valve covers and don't use a PCV to vacuum, you can get a little oil vapor film around the breathers to keep clean. There will be some that gets past the breather baffles. Users choice.

 

[silverstud67]

Thanks that is a lot of help also. I was planning on putting a breather on my covers along with an oil filler. I don't mind the look at all.