What engine part is this?

[Nev68]

I'm swapping the inlet manifold on the 283 in our 56 pickup.
I removed the manifold and found this part in the valley (see circled part)

Can anyone tell me what it is?

[tmoble]

It's the breather assembly for crankcase ventilation. basically an oil separator. 283's didn't have PCV stuff in the valve covers. Don't take it out.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by tmoble

It's the breather assembly for crankcase ventilation. basically an oil separator. 283's didn't have PCV stuff in the valve covers. Don't take it out.

Just to add a note, also the 327's had the same set-up, Like tmoble said, leave it were its at...Jim

[tmoble]

well, I sent back to your pics to see which type of breather setup was on there, but the pics show that there's Welch plug driven into the hole next to the distributor where the passage comes out. You'll need to have a breather and PCV in the valve covers. The can in the valley doesn't matter if that hole is plugged.

Couple other things, engine looks pretty fresh. I see the Fel-Pro intake gasket and laser etching of the part number on a pushrod. Also see that whoever built it used the problematic rubber end seals on the manifold. Don't put those back, clean the top of the block and bottom end rails of the manifold with spray brake clean and use a bead of RTV across there. It'll never leak or pooch out like the rubber ones. Those things have been the source of a million headaches, throw them away. GM never used them after RTV was invented and available. ugh, whatta PITA those things are. look at end seals to see how thick they are as they as they sail into the trash, your bead of RTV needs to be thicker than that. Let the RTV sit about 10 minutes before setting the manifold on. Lots of guys use a bead about the size of a pencil, that's too big unless there's something weird about your engine.

[oldman3]

I dug up a photo of the stock type set-up. At the back of your block a plug has been installed, just passed your oil line. You can either remove the plug and use stock set-up, or if using new valve covers you can install a PCV valve in the covers. Hope this helps...Jim

[69l46vert]

Originally Posted by oldman3

I dug up a photo of the stock type set-up. At the back of your block a plug has been installed, just passed your oil line. You can either remove the plug and use stock set-up, or if using new valve covers you can install a PCV valve in the covers. Hope this helps...Jim

Looks like a Corvette dizzy there Jim!

[Nev68]

Originally Posted by tmoble

It's the breather assembly for crankcase ventilation. basically an oil separator. 283's didn't have PCV stuff in the valve covers. Don't take it out.

Thanks

[Nev68]

Originally Posted by oldman3

Just to add a note, also the 327's had the same set-up, Like tmoble said, leave it were its at...Jim

Thanks x 2

[Nev68]

Originally Posted by tmoble

well, I sent back to your pics to see which type of breather setup was on there, but the pics show that there's Welch plug driven into the hole next to the distributor where the passage comes out. You'll need to have a breather and PCV in the valve covers. The can in the valley doesn't matter if that hole is plugged.

Couple other things, engine looks pretty fresh. I see the Fel-Pro intake gasket and laser etching of the part number on a pushrod. Also see that whoever built it used the problematic rubber end seals on the manifold. Don't put those back, clean the top of the block and bottom end rails of the manifold with spray brake clean and use a bead of RTV across there. It'll never leak or pooch out like the rubber ones. Those things have been the source of a million headaches, throw them away. GM never used them after RTV was invented and available. ugh, whatta PITA those things are. look at end seals to see how thick they are as they as they sail into the trash, your bead of RTV needs to be thicker than that. Let the RTV sit about 10 minutes before setting the manifold on. Lots of guys use a bead about the size of a pencil, that's too big unless there's something weird about your engine.

No worries.
I have only ever used RTV on the china wall

[Nev68]

Originally Posted by oldman3

I dug up a photo of the stock type set-up. At the back of your block a plug has been installed, just passed your oil line. You can either remove the plug and use stock set-up, or if using new valve covers you can install a PCV valve in the covers. Hope this helps...Jim

Thanks for the photo and info

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by 69l46vert

Looks like a Corvette dizzy there Jim!

Not sure, just a pic I got off the net...Jim

[_Ogre]

technically that is the oil baffle for the road draft tube
pre-pcv valve means of getting the blow-by out of the engine bay
and directly into the atmosphere or dripping on the road

[tmoble]

that's why it's usually called a read drip tube.