What a dirty, dirty mind you have.

I'm actually asking about the PCV "valve" deelie on the left side (as you face it) valve cover on my '89 Custom Cruiser's 307 V8.

The books say that to change it you just pull it out of the valve cover, which is fine, but then it ALSO says that there's a "rubber retaining ring" there (attached to the valve cover, I assume) that should be "replaced if necessary."

Is this one of those things where disturbing it will MAKE it necessary? I have enough engine problems without something "floating" around her top end that I have to take the valve cover off to extract as it means dealing with that Medusa head of hoses, tubes and assorted lines that criss-cross the top of the engine.

[Speaking of which, the OTHER end of the PCV valve is supposed to be pressed into a vacuum line, which it is, but it's ALSO held in by one of those "squeeze opposing tabs together towards center" hose clips/clamps/whatever. Leaving it (or re-applying it, anyway) is fine with me, but if it's not necessary I wonder why it's there in the first place.]

Oh, the mysteries of a 22-year-old car. Not unlike the mysteries of a 22-year-old girlfriend, only I can turn a key and silence the car...

 

I believe all your manual is talking about is the rubber grommet in the valve cover.

 

Correct. The only problem is that the rubber can harden over time. Replacements are readily available from Dorman Products in the HELP! parts line that most auto parts sell.

 

While the rubber grommet should be changed - they get brittle over time - the plastic piece they are talking about is included with the valve. At least it was last time I bought one, but that was a good 15 years ago

 

Pulling out too late can have 'consequences' so I heard.