Valve covers, do I really need Breathers?

[Tepot]

Hi,

I was looking at buying some chrome Valve covers from Edelbrock. I've noticed that some have holes in it for Breathers and some are just plain without holes. What would be the best. Should I buy some with Breaters or not?

What exactly breathers are used for? Can someone help me. I know it might be a dumb question but I'm really new in this game.

thanks in advance

 

["UNSAFE"]

Yes you should have breathers. One should have a PCV valve and the other should route a hose to the air filter base to allow fresh air to be drawn through the motor by the PCV and to allow engine fumes to be drawn through the carb during WOT.
Proper venting will improve ring sealing along with reducing blowby.
In the old days the venting was simply a pipe that let fumes and pressure escape into the air and was not very effective, as well as polluting the atmosphere.
You do not need or want breathers that simply vent into the engine compartment. On my Corvair I have an exhaust driven crankcase evacuation system that really draws some air through the motor but it also has to be vented to let fresh air in.

 

[Tepot]

Yes you should have breathers. One should have a PCV valve and the other should route a hose to the air filter base to allow fresh air to be drawn through the motor by the PCV and to allow engine fumes to be drawn through the carb during WOT.
Proper venting will improve ring sealing along with reducing blowby.
In the old days the venting was simply a pipe that let fumes and pressure escape into the air and was not very effective, as well as polluting the atmosphere.
You do not need or want breathers that simply vent into the engine compartment. On my Corvair I have an exhaust driven crankcase evacuation system that really draws some air through the motor but it also has to be vented to let fresh air in.

Ok. I'll follow your advise and will make sure to buy some valve covers that has a hole ready for a breather.

Thanks again

 

[bossvette]

I agree with unsafe I have a early set of finned Vette covers that I want to use on my 76 but haven't yet fiqured out how to add breathers to them.

 

[Jack]

I agree with unsafe I have a early set of finned Vette covers that I want to use on my 76 but haven't yet fiqured out how to add breathers to them.

Early sbc had a vent tube stuffed into intake manifold at driver side front ... tube about 1-1/4" x 6" ... adjacent to water neck ... had a vented, push-in cap ... same used to fill w/ oil. Dunno if tpi intake could be modded w/ tube?
JACK:gap