New 292

[sprink88]

I have installed my new 292, but noticed something was differant about it. I have looked up the block ID and it says a 58-59 292. But there is some type of black "breather" looking thing on the drivers side, just forward of the oil filter. Can anyone tell me what this is? I do not have a pic, I am at work.

[Dobie Gillis]

Originally Posted by sprink88

I have installed my new 292, but noticed something was differant about it. I have looked up the block ID and it says a 58-59 292. But there is some type of black "breather" looking thing on the drivers side, just forward of the oil filter. Can anyone tell me what this is? I do not have a pic, I am at work.

That's the road draft tube and filter for the crankcase ventilation system.

[sprink88]

That is what I thought. Thank you. Anything I should know about it? My old 292, 1960 replacement code didn't have one

[Dobie Gillis]

Your previous block must have been cast after Ford started using PCV on trucks in 1964 or so. All the blocks are pretty much the same regardless of application, so using one in a pre-PCV vehicle would have required using the appropriate valley cover which was set up for PCV. If you want to convert to PCV block off the block port with a plate and gasket and either use the late model valley cover (PCV valve mounts behind the carb) or open a hole on the driver side valve cover and install a PCV valve and grommet there and plumb it to a manifold vacuum source. The benefit is a cleaner engine compartment and less tendency to oil leaks and sludge build up. Get a valve for a similar sized engine.

[streetdreams]

Dobie makes some good points, but it's better modifying the valley cover at the rear for a PCV valve. Modifications can then be made for a small container on the inside to hold a handful of metal gauze to seperate the oil mist from the crankcase vapors. Fitting a PCV valve in a valve cover without a means to seperate oil from vapor, where rocker arms are constantly slinging oil, will stand a high chance of pulling oil into the intake manifold and fuel/air charge. A SBF valve cover with PCV will show you the oil trap from the factory. An early FE engine, 352/390, with PCV at the rear of the intake ( 1963/64), will show you the oil trap design that should be used on a Y-Block.

[blucar]

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The breather can on the left front side of the engine was common on the pre '63 Y-Blocks, there usually is a road draft tube attached to the rear of the valley cover.
The breather can should have a type of air filter contained there-in.. Most people overlook the filter, they very seldom were serviced and therefore there was very poor ventilation within the engine..
I would strongly suggest that you eliminate the rear draft tube in favor of a fixture from a '63-64 F-100/250 292.. This attachment will bolt in place of the draft tube and will have a tube which attaches to the PCV... The PVC can be plumbed into a plate added to the base of the carb, or you can plumb it into one of the vacuum ports in the intake manifold...
The can on the block can be eliminated, or you can put a plate and gasket between the can an the block if you want the engine to look stock...
The hose connector attachment might be a little hard to find.. If there are any wrecking yards in your area that has trucks, that might be your best bet... Look for '63-64 F-100/250 with 292 V8 engines.. Any time I see one of these trucks I check them for PCV systems..
A PCV system will be the best thing you could have ever done for your engine. You will eliminate most of the oil leaks that the Y-Blocks had...
If you look closely at the attached pix you can see the PCV hose coming from the rear of my 312 to the base of the carb.
I have four vehicles with Y-Blocks, all of them have PCV's....

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by blucar

A PCV system will be the best thing you could have ever done for your engine.

100% Agree.

Here's a picture of PCV valve hidden at the back of my engine to give you an idea of one example where it may be placed.

[sprink88]

those are good ideas, thanks! As far as removing the old road draft tube, is there a block off plate there or do I find some stock and make one? And the valley cover, is it easier finding a valley cover with one done in a junk yard or modifying mine? And are pcv's typical or do I need a certain one?

[LOWRIDER]

I just used a core plug for the breather hole & a couple bolts w/sealer to block off mine. Block off plates are available for this too. I made a new "pcv valve chamber" in my valley cover but I guess you can use the existing chamber with a little modification. Use a pvc valve for the same size engine that you are running now. I'm using a 302 pcv valve in my 292.

[blucar]

I have never found the need to modify the valley cover on any Y-Block that I have put a PCV on.. I always place the PCV devise closer to the intake/carb.. The '63-64 truck adapter is a domed shaped unit that attaches where the road draft tube was, using a 1/4" bolt.
Some of the FE engines used a PCV that threaded into the intake manifold.. As it has already been written, make sure the PCV closely matches the CID of your engine.. i.e. 292 = 300/302..
The block off plate for the block breather is the same size a block off plate for a fuel pump..
Make sure that the oil fill cap is a breather type.. Fresh air must be able to be drawn through this cap into the block.. There is no need to use the Ford style of cap from the mid '70's, and later that had a hose attached to the carb air clearer..
I have a '59 Ford F100 4x up at our ranch in Montana.. It had a very good running 292 in it when I bought it at a farm auction.. With a little service work I drove it the 150 miles from the purchase point to our ranch... I had noted that the engine had a lot of fresh oil on the engine.. When I arrived at the ranch I noted oil had been blowing out of the fill pipe..
I cleaned the engine compartment up, went to town, 50 miles, and purchased supplies, valve cover gaskets a PCV, hose and a rubber groment for a valve cover.. I opted for a valve cover application because I could not find a '63-64 block adapter..
I selected a location on the right valve cover that was clear of the rocker arms, cut a hole large enough for the groment and the baffle, I would have to fabricate to cover the valve train side of the PCV.. The baffle was fairly easy to fabricate out of light sheet metal. I pop riveted the baffle in place, painted the valve cover Ford red, installed new McCord cork gaskets and assembled everything.
The problem of the engine throwing oil out of the fill tube, etc., was solved.. The truck has been working on the ranch for over ten years with just a few minor repairs... Not to bad for a $400. truck and an afternoon of work...

[sprink88]

Thanks for the ideas guys!