For a 1969 442 400BB:
What is the sequence of parts from the valve cover grommets to the air cleaner?
I've seen a few variations with what side the valve cover breather (pic below)is on, some don't even have it...
I want to make sure I oder the right pas.

If anyone has a pic too that would be great.
Thanks!!!

 

I'll go clockwise, starting at the upper LH corner.

1. Goes into air cleaner housing. Metal pipe (not shown) connects to number 2
2. Goes into valve cover breather number 3
3. Breather that fits into valve cover grommet number 4
4. Valve cover grommet. On a 1969, all the above hardware is on the driver's side (which is different from 1968)
5. Valve cover grommet for PCV valve, goes in passenger side valve cover.

 

Joe thank you so much.
Have a good day.

 

Hey Joe, I'm not an OLDS expert and I don't question your knowledge, but my Air cleaner setup on my 69 442 was just the opposite from what you describe. My air cleaner which I think is original to the car does not have a hole on the Driver side. Also, the service manual seems to show the PCV on the Driv side for the 400. Can you check on this?

Thanks
Ross (I'm working on a 69 442 restoration)

 

This is really confusing.
The '69 assembly manual only shows a driver's side vent tube for the W46/Hurst Olds option and in that case there one on the passenger's side too?
Otherwise it looks like the dual snorkel OAI and regular air cleaners have the vent on the passenger's side and the PCV grommet on the driver's side valve cover. It doesn't show the PCV on the right side valve cover for any application?
The '68's all have the vent on the driver's side in the assembly manual and it's a different set-up than the '69's.
http://www.oldsmobility.com/mpc/group1000/ill32.htm



You can see the assembly manual at Wild About Cars and the '64-'72 Canadian Olds Parts Catalog is online at Oldsmobility.

http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/index.html


http://www.oldsmobility.com/mpc/

 

My apologies. I mixed up the 1968 and 1969 routing, which is opposite. Yes, for 1969 PCV valve goes in the driver's side valve cover and the breather goes in the passenger side valve cover. Again, sorry for the bad info.

Trivia point: The primary difference between the 1968 and 1969 O.A.I. air cleaners is the location of the hole for the breather tube, which is on opposite sides.

Other trivia point: The 1969 H/O uses TWO valve cover breathers, on on each side, like the 1970-72 W-30 and 4 spd cars. The PCV valve goes to the intake. I've often wondered why Olds used the dual breather setup on these cars. My guess is that the reason has something to do with the low intake vacuum due to the cam. Perhaps two breathers were necessary to properly evacuate the crankcase. I'd be interested to hear from someone who knows for sure.

 

I am reconstructing a 69 400 with Rochester and I purchased the last 3 items in the picture. There was a hose that went from the carb to the valve cover on the drivers side and the end went into the (pictured) bottom left grommet, I assume this was to allow heat to the carb? The metal part goes into the grommet on the right on the passenger side valve cover. One question I have is there is a hole in the metal piece with a screen inside. Is anything supposed to go into this hole and what would it connect to? My air cleaner is just the round "filter exposed" type. The old metal piece had a cap on it that appeared to allow for breathing but nothing was connected to it. If someone can tell me the correct set up for both sides please do

 

Nope.

The hose connects to a large manifold vacuum port on the base of the carb. There is a PCV valve in the valve cover end of the hose that fits into that rubber grommet in the valve cover.

The hole in the top of the conical metal piece should have a grommet and a metal tube that connects to the side of the stock air cleaner housing. Since you apparently don't have a stock air cleaner housing, you need to replace this factory-style breather with an aftermarket one that has a filter screen in it to avoid sucking dirt into your engine, such as one of these:



FYI, the factory plumbing is shown in diagrams in your Chassis Service Manual.

 

Thanks! When I said the PCV went to the carb I guess I should have been more specific that it is an outlet/inlet under the carb.

Yes I do believe the breather I have is to be connected to the air cleaner housing. I will be picking up an aftermarket breather and using that.

Thank you for the illustration!

 

definitely 68 only and there is no reproduction at the moment. part number is 399766 from the assembly manual.