1983 Chevy I6 Confused..... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Anorak · 03-14-2015, 05:21 PM

-This is my first post-

So, I inherited this truck from my Grandpa, and he bought it from the original owner. It was in Arizona, but me and my Dad drove it out here to Illinois (Crazy trip

) So I've had it here for about half a year and I have been getting my hands dirty, trying to make it a reliable daily driver. Last week it developed a new problem. As we (Me+Dad) were driving it around, celebrating a recent fix to the bed, we noticed that there were wisps of smoke coming through the hood, needless to say we got home as quick as possible. It looks like the smoke was from oil burning off the engine, and the oil was leaking from under the valve cover. I figure it is some kind of gasket issue, but then I started looking at the valve cover itself-

What is all of that stuff?

Can it be removed?

Why is it on there?

I prefer the clean look of a chrome valve cover myself

Thank you for the help!

More pics, below.

Anorak · 03-14-2015, 05:22 PM

If you need more pics, I will post more.

**brakenit** · 03-14-2015, 06:25 PM

Don't know how much I can really help, my '84 didn't have near as much attached to the valve cover and I removed a lot of clutter from it before I realized it had a cracked head or block and pulled it.

Bigstevex4 · 03-14-2015, 07:04 PM

my 83 must be same like how painted valve cover.
Name: eng.jpg
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greg64 · 03-14-2015, 08:06 PM

Welcome to the board. I believe all that junk is called PAIR - pulse air reaction. It's a sort of passive AIR pump system. All emissions related, of course. These six cylinders were designed long before emissions regs, so all sorts of junk needed to be scabbed on.

Can you take it off? Well, that depends on regulations in your area. Does the engine need all this junk? No.

As for the smoke, it's quite possible that oil leaked out from under the valve cover and then rolls down on to the exhaust manifold. These engines tend to leak from both the valve cover and side covers (covering the pushrods).

**MikeB** · 03-14-2015, 08:49 PM

Yep, those two chambers on top of the valve cover are part of the PAIR system. There's a write-up on it and how to ensure it's working in the GM shop manual.

Here's mine. Look quickly, because there's a freshly built 350 in my shop!

Bigstevex4 · 03-14-2015, 08:51 PM

yes the leak or smoke oil on the exhaust. you cant just yank all that stuff off that varijet has several vacuum lines. I changed carbs and that's not easy. Check local emission laws before remove any thing.

Bigstevex4 · 03-14-2015, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeB

Yep, those two chambers on top of the valve cover are part of the PAIR system. There's a write-up on it and how to ensure it's working in the GM shop manual.

Here's mine. Look quickly, because there's a freshly built 350 in my shop!

Were all of these sixes in tan colored pickups. ime looking for a motor upgrade
350 most likely keep updated how it goes.

Titomars · 03-14-2015, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigstevex4

Were all of these sixes in tan colored pickups. ime looking for a motor upgrade
350 most likely keep updated how it goes.

Six's were most common in tan and white trucks. Why? 2 reasons one is price leaders at dealerships. white and tan are neutral easier to sell. Top reason is fleets order their trucks as basic as possible ie. cheap. White and tan were the most common fleet colors. company logos always go with white and most go with tan.

greg64 · 03-15-2015, 01:41 AM

My truck was originally (and still is) blue, and it was built with a 250. However, I think the six cylinders were more popular in Canada.

03-14-2015, 05:21 PM	#1
Anorak Registered User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 9	1983 Chevy I6 Confused..... -This is my first post- So, I inherited this truck from my Grandpa, and he bought it from the original owner. It was in Arizona, but me and my Dad drove it out here to Illinois (Crazy trip ) So I've had it here for about half a year and I have been getting my hands dirty, trying to make it a reliable daily driver. Last week it developed a new problem. As we (Me+Dad) were driving it around, celebrating a recent fix to the bed, we noticed that there were wisps of smoke coming through the hood, needless to say we got home as quick as possible. It looks like the smoke was from oil burning off the engine, and the oil was leaking from under the valve cover. I figure it is some kind of gasket issue, but then I started looking at the valve cover itself- What is all of that stuff? Can it be removed? Why is it on there? I prefer the clean look of a chrome valve cover myself Thank you for the help! More pics, below. Attached Images

03-14-2015, 05:22 PM	#2
Anorak Registered User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 9	Re: 1983 Chevy I6 Confused..... If you need more pics, I will post more.

03-14-2015, 06:25 PM	#3
brakenit Active Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 198	Re: 1983 Chevy I6 Confused..... Don't know how much I can really help, my '84 didn't have near as much attached to the valve cover and I removed a lot of clutter from it before I realized it had a cracked head or block and pulled it.

03-14-2015, 07:04 PM	#4
Bigstevex4 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Spearfish South Dakota Posts: 407	Re: 1983 Chevy I6 Confused..... my 83 must be same like how painted valve cover. __________________ 83 c10 long Box Daily Driver 90 Jimmy parked 98 Road King/ 06 Road Glide In memorium 63 impala SS/ 65 Chevy Panel 65 GMC Short Box/ 68 Camero

03-14-2015, 08:06 PM	#5
greg64 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kimberley, BC, Canada Posts: 799	Re: 1983 Chevy I6 Confused..... Welcome to the board. I believe all that junk is called PAIR - pulse air reaction. It's a sort of passive AIR pump system. All emissions related, of course. These six cylinders were designed long before emissions regs, so all sorts of junk needed to be scabbed on. Can you take it off? Well, that depends on regulations in your area. Does the engine need all this junk? No. As for the smoke, it's quite possible that oil leaked out from under the valve cover and then rolls down on to the exhaust manifold. These engines tend to leak from both the valve cover and side covers (covering the pushrods). __________________ Greg 64 GMC Suburban - 283, NV3500, 14 bolt 77 C10 swb - 292, SM465, 12 bolt

03-14-2015, 08:49 PM	#6
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,472	Re: 1983 Chevy I6 Confused..... Yep, those two chambers on top of the valve cover are part of the PAIR system. There's a write-up on it and how to ensure it's working in the GM shop manual. Here's mine. Look quickly, because there's a freshly built 350 in my shop! __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

03-14-2015, 08:51 PM	#7
Bigstevex4 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Spearfish South Dakota Posts: 407	Re: 1983 Chevy I6 Confused..... yes the leak or smoke oil on the exhaust. you cant just yank all that stuff off that varijet has several vacuum lines. I changed carbs and that's not easy. Check local emission laws before remove any thing. __________________ 83 c10 long Box Daily Driver 90 Jimmy parked 98 Road King/ 06 Road Glide In memorium 63 impala SS/ 65 Chevy Panel 65 GMC Short Box/ 68 Camero

03-15-2015, 01:41 AM	#10
greg64 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kimberley, BC, Canada Posts: 799	Re: 1983 Chevy I6 Confused..... My truck was originally (and still is) blue, and it was built with a 250. However, I think the six cylinders were more popular in Canada. __________________ Greg 64 GMC Suburban - 283, NV3500, 14 bolt 77 C10 swb - 292, SM465, 12 bolt

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