I'm just learning about engines. I've got a question that I hope someone might be able to help me out with. I've got a 394 olds. on the back of the manifold by the fire wall there is a valve. When I took off the valve cover, there is this cylinder type sleeve / tube that is inside of the manifold. It spins around and if I turn it to where the lip is on the bottom, I can make it fit tight again. Can anyone tell me what this is or where can I find out?

Totally lost....but trying anyways.

 

I'm kind of lost too, but what I THINK you are referring to inside of the manifold is the heat tube for the choke

 

It's a valve plate that has a nozzle that curves about three inches long and probably 3'8 inch round. When I take the plate off there is a steel sleeve/tube probably two inch diameter. I'm going to take a picture of it and post it. Thanks for your response. This forum is great. I'm outta town, I'll post a pic in three days. Once again thanks very much.

Mike

 

Mike, I am almost certain you are referring to the heater control valve. When I bought my Olds the 394 didn't have one. A previous owner had removed it and just put the hose to the heater core directly onto a nipple that went into the head. All this does is shut off the flow of coolant to the heater core. Please post a pic though so we can be sure.

 

Ok, I think I solved the mystery - it is unique to '59 and '60 engine blocks. This is the downdraft tube assembly to relieve crankcase pressure as the valve covers for '59 and '60 did not have any holes in them for PCV or other method of relieving pressure. The downdraft tube assembly is bolted to the back of the block, NOT the intake manifold. I think the writer confused a valve cover for an intake manifold in the original posting.

 

Just wanted to thank everyone for their help. I got off the phone yesterday with Dr. Olds. He asked what I was putting the 394 into. I told him into my 1949 ford f1 pickup. He said, " I like you already." He's going to check to see what I've got. The CID number on my engine says. 102 CFD 578135-1 1/8 and the tranny says CFD 861-872. Anyways, thanks again for helping me with this.

 

You definitely need to get over to the H.A.M.B. forum of jalopyjournal.com They would like you over there too.