Classic/Antique Car Repair/air cleaner

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Expert: - 7/16/2008


Question
i have a 1968 plymouth valiant with the 225 slant six. it has the original air intake drawing its air from the valve cover.  im thinking of up grading it to an open air filter so it can breath better, is this recomended for a engine thats stock.

Answer
That line that runs to the valve cover from the air filter is part of the emissions system. When the engine is running under light load it feeds filtered air from the air filter to the crankcase. When the engine is under heavy load the blow by the piston rings then is forced into the air filter venting the crankcase. Removing this upsets the crankcase breathing. I am not a fan of the open air cleaners but rather make sure that the factory systems that also cleans the air to the crankcase is in proper working order.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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