1996 LT1, was wondering where the crankcase vents on the driverside since there is no vent coming out of the valve cover. We have a fresh rebuild and have deleted emissions. Oil pressure is at 60-75 and we have sprung a leak on one of the seals on the timing chain cover. we are in the middle of replacing those seals but was wanting to make sure the crankcase was venting properly. And how in the world do I get the water pump seal out without taking the timing cover off?

 

If you have the stock PCV system intact, then the crankcase is vented. Use the slot on the cover at the top of the seal to pry it out.

 

[autostream]http://autostream.com/camaroz28/?page_type=firebirdplayerthumbnail&framepage=1848& transactionid=1318036879-691417789&posted_by=raroz28_www.camaroz28.com&yout ube_video_id=lOGRMVLrEhE[/autostream]

 

BTW, if you just did a fresh build, I'm guessing you did not properly install the water pump seal, if that's the one that sprung a leak, assuming it was replaced with the build.

You will need a special tool, or you can just use a socket set.

Here is a video I put up a couple weeks ago.
[autostream]http://autostream.com/camaroz28/?page_type=firebirdplayerthumbnail&framepage=1758& transactionid=1318037039-691417789&posted_by=raroz28_www.camaroz28.com&yout ube_video_id=OjIT_FT-mDI[/autostream]

 

I replaced the seal at the water pump and at the opti, got everything back together and still leaking. Install went easy and everything looked great. At this point I do not believe the leak is caused by bad seal. What am I missing. The leak seems to occur after you shut the engine off. The pvc is not clogged and it rattles and you can blow through it. pvc is routed to the bottom of tb. Is 65 to 75 lbs oil pressure normal? how do I check crankcase pressure, and what should it be?

 

ok it leaks when running so forget that part.

 

what parts make up the pvc system besides the pcv valve and the hose and does anyone have pic's. We have deleted the smog pump, egr block off's. And i'm still waiting on some help with checking crankcase pressure. I suspect that we have to much causing the oil leak. Thanks for the help.

 

PCV valve and hose connecting to the front of the intake manifold, vent hose from RH valve cover to throttle body.

 

Thanks shoebox. The hose that goes on the RH side is ommited and was replaced with a small breather, and i believe the other end at the throttle body is plugged off. Is 60lbs oil pressure at idle normal for new rebuild? I thought this engine normally runs at a lower oil pressure.

 

The intent of the original design is to provide a CLOSED PVC system. The line from the throttle body to the passenger side valve covered provides air that has passed through the inlet air filter, and the MAF sensor. That air ends up in the combustion chamber, after the engine vacuum pulls it through the PCV valve. Since it ends up in the combustion chamber, passing it through the MAF sensor tells the PCM how much fuel it needs to go with the air mass passing through the crankcase.

 

Thanks Injuneer, I'm a little slow so forgive me. Are you saying that the way I have it hooked up will cause crankcase pressure issues and could be the cause of the oil leak?

 

I don't think he's saying that at all. While a clogged breather system can cause leaks, doing what you did won't cause a clog. What I believe Injuneer is telling us is that you've caused a small vacuum leak with your setup and the engine is now getting air that wasn't measured by the MAF. This makes it harder for the PCM to adjust the fuel air ratio.

The PCV path has air entering the crancase through the port on the PS valve cover. The air is drawn through the crankcase by engine vacuum and into the intake manifold. If that port on the valve cover is hooked to the TB, the air that goes into the engine has been measured. And if the port is open to the atmosphere, it isn't.....

 

As far as the oil pressure goes, it will depend or the bearing clearances you had when assembling the engine, the viscosity rating of the oil you are using.
Factory recommendation is 5W30.
I used 20W 40 for the first 1000 miles after my rebuild. When it was cold, the pressure was more than 60. When hot, around 45.
I just changed to 10W 30 and my oil pressure is 35 at hot idle.
That my setup ...your results may vary.

 

The issue is the oil leak, was just wondering if somehow the crankcase pressure is jacked or anyone know what else to look for, possibly plumbing or something we hooked some hoses up wrong. How do I check crank case pressure and what should it be?? In short what would cause the seal to leak, other than a poorly installed seal.. Thanks

 

Put a vacuum gauge where your breather is. You should see a slightly negative pressure (vacuum) at idle.