73 Charger smoking out of breather cap

[sixpack_sid]

I took my 73 Charger for a drive today and noticed some smoke coming out of the breather cap in the valve cover. Anyone know what could be causing this? I have a 400 engine with a 4bbl holley double pumper.
Thanks for the help!

[A383Wing]

probably blow by past the rings.....

Bryan

[sixpack_sid]

probably blow by past the rings.....

Bryan

What does that mean? 

[Kern Dog]

When you say "smoke" are you smelling burned oil? Does the smoke dissipate quickly? Often there is steam coming from the breather as the engine boils off internal condensation. This is totally normal AND desired. Condensation/water inside the engine needs no boil off to be removed, otherwise sludge forms and clings to every part the oil goes.
If the smoke smells like oil burning, then it probably is "Blow-by". This is a term used to describe when cylinder pressure exceeds the limits of the piston rings and the air/fuel mixture gets past them and into the crankcase. All piston engines have some degree of blow-by, but it gets worse as the engine wears and the rings lose their ability to seal as well. Eventually, there will be more smoke. In stock applications, the breather is routed to the air cleaner where any excessive blow-by is sucked into the carburetor and burned.

[Chryco Psycho]

do you have a PCV system drawing fumes out of the engine &into the carb / intake ?

[sixpack_sid]

do you have a PCV system drawing fumes out of the engine &into the carb / intake ?

No, I do not. I just have an aftermarket air cleaner.

[Kern Dog]

A street car NEEDS some sort of crankcase evacuation system, not just a simple breather.  A PCV valve actually helps the rings seal better because engine vacuum is pulling the rings outward toward the cylinder walls.  Although you do have a breather, it isn't enough. A PCV on the left valve cover needs to be ran to the intake or base of the carburetor. This, along with the open air breather will be adequate.

[Chryco Psycho]

That would be your problem 

[sixpack_sid]

Thanks for the help! I will buy a PCV valve and run it into the intake and see what happens.

[74bluecharger440]

This is the best info site ever.I don't even have to ask questions .I just check out the topics and learn so much info on my own car that I never knew ,its great, alot of very good mechanics out there . I am a plumber by trade and can plumb a complete house in a couple of days .But when it comes to my  Charger it's nice to be able to get info without paying $$$$$ to a mechanic to tell you whats up. Now if I can only learn how to post pics from my library..Thanks.

[Kern Dog]

Many times when I find myself with a problem, I refer back to what the factory did. It serves as a baseline and makes things simpler.

[Larry523]

The Surgeon General has determined that smoking is hazardous to your engine's health.










(Yes, I do know that I'm a smartass!) 

[Cooter]

Next.....Get rid of that problematic, BS, air cleaner that catches on fire, or the foam ijnside gets sucked down over your carb..

[nvrbdn]

  yep, not a fan of those either. plus another style of air cleaner will have the pcv valve access on it making it a simple installation.