Clean crankcase breather?

[pjm8047]

I have a quick question should the crank case breather be cleaned on my 71? It’s never been replaced its the original and if so how do i clean it? I was reading the service manual they say use kerosene.

 

[idrivemopar]

If its like the one on my 73, I would just replace it. Reason is, the inside has a coarse type filter made out of some fiber material, and when I went to clean mine, that material started coming apart most likely do to age, heat, and chemicals in the oil vapor, so I just replaced it.

 

[pjm8047]

70/71 type breathers have three ports one from air cleaner one from gas tank and one going to the carburetor. In 72 they changed it to just one going to the air cleaner because they introduced the charcoal canister in 72. I can’t find this 3 port type of breather brand new anywhere .

 

[idrivemopar]

Is this the type you need? If so, you can get from 521 Restorations, a sponsor on this site, here is the link, its listed at the bottom of the page.

http://www.521restorations.com/index.pl?page=allmodels&sub1=Engine

 

[pjm8047]

Is this the type you need? If so, you can get from 521 Restorations, a sponsor on this site, here is the link, its listed at the bottom of the page.
View attachment 530559
http://www.521restorations.com/index.pl?page=allmodels&sub1=Engine

Yes. Could i use the two port one? I don’t use the carb one.

 

[pjm8047]

Wow! Expensive

 

[idrivemopar]

I suppose you could use on the 2 port one, and it depends if your carburetor does or does not have the port for the one purge line and if you are trying to stay original or not. I have just the single port one on my 73, so yes they are expensive, but good quality, although I did repaint mine when I got it.

 

[pjm8047]

I suppose you could use on the 2 port one, and it depends if your carburetor does or does not have the port for the one purge line and if you are trying to stay original or not. I have just the single port one on my 73, so yes they are expensive, but good quality, although I did repaint mine when I got it.

On your 73 u can use alot of aftermarket options. I have an Edelbrock performer carburetor on there so I don’t need it that port. What would happen if I left it alone? I don’t think I have any issues with right now. I noticed a lot of people on eBay are selling used 70 71 breathers why would someone want to buy a used one if the filter is no good for the crazy amount money ?

 

[idrivemopar]

My 73 is all original setup, even running a thermoquad, but since you are not, its not a big deal then I guess to plug the one port you are not using or just get the one with only two ports.

I don't think I would buy a 40+ year old used one from ebay, just like I would not buy a 40 year old NOS oil filter to use on my engine because that stuff gets brittle with age and just asking for problems.

I don't know the condition of the one you have, or status of your engine, but if you have rebuilt your engine, then I would replace it, not worth the risk of it either blocking air flow or something falling out into the engine. But if you left it alone I cant answer what may or may not happen.

 

[pjm8047]

My 73 is all original setup, even running a thermoquad, but since you are not, its not a big deal then I guess to plug the one port you are not using or just get the one with only two ports.

I don't think I would buy a 40+ year old used one from ebay, just like I would not buy a 40 year old NOS oil filter to use on my engine because that stuff gets brittle with age and just asking for problems.

I don't know the condition of the one you have, or status of your engine, but if you have rebuilt your engine, then I would replace it, not worth the risk of it either blocking air flow or something falling out into the engine. But if you left it alone I cant answer what may or may not happen.

35,000 orginal miles never been rebuilt. Is it made of paper? Service manual says to fill it with oil and then drain it. The air filter would catch everything before it would get to the breather.

 

[idrivemopar]

Wow, that's amazing! I am not sure about what's in yours, but mine has a slotted metal baffle and inside that it had a coarse filter like material about the consistency of horse hair or heavy steel wool, and that stuff came out when I tried to clean it out, I started getting little bits of that material.

 

[pjm8047]

I might just spray it lightly with some throttle body cleaner and then fill it with 10w30 and then drain it.

 

[tak419]

I might just spray it lightly with some throttle body cleaner and then fill it with 10w30 and then drain it.

If the service manual says clean it with Kerosene then clean it with kerosene, what's the problem ? If it falls apart inside then I guess it falls apart and it doesn't work. You won't know until you try but if you don't try then you still have a dirty breather. If your worried about kerosene being to harsh then use dawn dish soap and let it soak a while. I cleaned mine when I restored my car and nothing came out but built up crud.

 

[pjm8047]

If the service manual says clean it with Kerosene then clean it with kerosene, what's the problem ? If it falls apart inside then I guess it falls apart and it doesn't work. You won't know until you try but if you don't try then you still have a dirty breather. If your worried about kerosene being to harsh then use dawn dish soap and let it soak a while. I cleaned mine when I restored my car and nothing came out but built up crud.

Nothing wrong with kerosene. It also says or suitable replacement. I think carb /intake cleaner should work. $3 a can at Walmart.

 

[pjm8047]

so I cleaned the breather with carb cleaner it seems like it did the job. Lots of brown came out when sprayed the inside with the straw it came with from brown to clear fluid then i filled it with 10w30 motor oil and let it drain out for a half hour. I just now spray painted the breather with semi-gloss black paint. Now letting it dry. I think the carb cleaner did the job $2 a can at walmart

 

[tak419]

so I cleaned the breather with carb cleaner it seems like it did the job. Lots of brown came out when sprayed the inside with the straw it came with from brown to clear fluid then i filled it with 10w30 motor oil and let it drain out for a half hour. I just now spray painted the breather with semi-gloss black paint. Now letting it dry. I think the carb cleaner did the job $2 a can at walmart

Nice job !

 

[mopar73dge]

I just purchased a new breather from AMD and it is exact as the original 99.9 % the same it was impressive the inside too. It comes plated so I cleaned it up and painted with gloss black engine paint. This is an authorized Chrysler product. I put some 30 w oil in it and let it soak right side up, than turned to drain, all set and will install after work today. I paid about $47.00 from Mancini Racing with 7.50 shipping to MA.