Hello All -
I am getting a fair amount of fumes coming out of the PCV valve and Edelbrock breather. Stumbled across an adjustable PCV made by M/E Wagner that looks like it may fix or reduce the problem. I am curious to see if anyone installed the valve and what success they had with it. Thanks!

Stock valley pan?

Hello Bronze Bird,
Yep, stock valley pan. I have a feeling that some of the smoke may be from me messing with the PCV valve and removing the grommet. Either way, I am getting some smoke floating back in the car when I get on it. I would not call the amount excessive, but if I can find someone who has tried the PCV valve I am hoping that may fix it. Then I wonder whether to just put the valve in my valve cover and plug the valley pan opening or put it in the valley pan and put the breather back in my valve cover. Thanks...….

So you pulled the grommet out of the valley pan and the PCV is just flopping around in there? Of course you'll have fumes, get a new valve and grommet.

I've never heard of an adjustable PCV valve before...ever.

I came across them once. Probably mentioned on a car repair show. Pricey (compared to normal ones).

Wagner Adjustable PCV Valve

I would also love to find out if they work. I had to set up dual hoses from valve covers to air cleaner on my fresh 455 along with the PCV system. I had so much ring blow-by during initial break in, I had oil forced past the rear main seal.

Pulled the PCV valve out to test it and had to pull the grommet to get the PCV valve back in because it was so tight. I wonder if some oil dripped on the back of the motor that was causing it to smoke around the grommet. I concerned about what is coming out of the breather on the valve cover and wonder if the adjustable PCV valve will resolve. It got some good recommendations in other forums. It may be pricey, but worth it if it works...……...

Ahh...clicked the link and learned something new.
Looks like this was developed to alleviate the need for a crankcase vacuum pump on high performance engines.

Is your PCV valve connected to a vacuum port on your carb?

NOTE: in stock configuration, there was no open ventilation to the crankcase. There was the PCV valve connected to a vacuum port, and a breather tube between the valve cover and the air filter.

Hello Bronze Bird,
No, the PCV outlet hose is connected into the intake manifold. I called M/E Wagner and ordered the adjustable PCV valve today. I had a great discussion with them and am convinced this will help. If not, they have a 30 day guarantee.

I KNEW THAT!!! ... I was just testing you... LOL

My after market...everything...doesn't have the port on the manifold. I had to add a nipple to my carb spacer for a vacuum source for my PCV valve.

Holy Cow! Please be sure to report back your findings after you get the part and install it.
I would like to see a pic of your current set up. How long has it been giving you problems? What sort of cam do you have? Does the engine have a good vacuum at idle?
Cal

Hello Cal,
Just a normal setup with PCV at the back of the valley pan hooked to the Edelbrock intake in front. I have been having noticeable problems for several months, but the guy who resurrected it mechanically says it is blow-by and I just need to drive it and enjoy it. In his words "we all give off more gasses as we get older". So true! The manifold is turning color (partly due to my laziness) and he says I just need to pull it off and paint it, but I just can't do that to the Edelbrock family. Plus gasket sealing gives me the shakes

The PCV valve is on the way and am going to add a air/oil separator while I am making the change. Thinking of putting the valve in the valve cover and capping off the PCV opening.

As for the motor, it is just a pretty tame 389 (previous owner said it was a 400), but pretty dependable to putter around on the weekends.

Hello All -
Still making final adjustments, but the valve has cut down the blow-by gasses considerably. It is a keeper in my book...….

Thanks for posting back and letting us know.

I would still like to see a pic of the set up you have. When you report a cut down considerably, there is still noticeable blow-by/gases?

Hello Cal,
After working with the owner of the company on the final settings, I have been checking the blow-by by stopping during a cruise and checking at idle. There is no blow-by at all coming out of the Edelbrock breather you can see in the passenger side valve cover (was always some coming out before). Also installed a Moroso Air/Oil separator at the same time.

You're more likely to get blow-by at higher rpms.