Rebuilding a breather

[t.flatt]

So, I have this breather with one one nipple on it that I'd like to use. I have a six barrel with a vent on the center float bowl. I think it should be fine to T a hose from there to the hose that goes from the breather to the air filter base. I have the breather all apart and here is what I got.

 

[t.flatt]

After a little work with a hammer and chisel it comes apart. It looks like, I'll just call it cardboard, is right above the bottom metal plate (the doughnut shaped part). Then there is a wad of something that resembles scotch brite pads, a metal baffle, then what looks like to me, a big pile of compressed dog hair. Then, another metal baffle that I'm not taking out. I've read to replace this **** with brass wool. Any tips? Or, I could buy a new one for $80.

 

[493 Mike]

I believe a SS scrubby for washing pots and pans would work for the "wad" replacement.
Mike

 

[Slipping727]

Horse hair was used.
I used some white breather material from local parts store to replace it.
Then I used a very thin layer of silicone along the outer edge of bottom plate before I crimped it back together.
Works great and doesn't leak a drop.
I think these are disposable parts as I remember back in the day the local Plymouth dealer had a pile of these things in stock.

 

[Bird 426]

Not sure why you would want to attach that vent from the center carb to a breather. Show me a picture that the factory did that. Mine is open. I have wondered if it was supposed to be attached to something, but mine is open.

 

[steve340]

Normally that was the filtered air inlet for the PCV system. The nipple connected to the air cleaner housing. It was filtered so all the crap would not enter the motor.
I think the 3 nipple ones did have a float bowl connection and fuel tank vent connection point but they were maybe 5/16 tube size.

 

[t.flatt]

Horse hair was used.
I used some white breather material from local parts store to replace it.
Then I used a very thin layer of silicone along the outer edge of bottom plate before I crimped it back together.
Works great and doesn't leak a drop.
I think these are disposable parts as I remember back in the day the local Plymouth dealer had a pile of these things in stock.

So, I wasn't to far off calling it dog hair! Thanks!

 

[t.flatt]

Not sure why you would want to attach that vent from the center carb to a breather. Show me a picture that the factory did that. Mine is open. I have wondered if it was supposed to be attached to something, but mine is open.

I think the 3 nipple breathers have a port for that bowl vent so teeing it there should be about the same. It just seems wrong to vent the bowl straight to the atmosphere. But, I may do exactly that. I don't know yet. Does yours leak any fuel out there?

 

[493 Mike]

I think the 3 nipple breathers have a port for that bowl vent so teeing it there should be about the same. It just seems wrong to vent the bowl straight to the atmosphere. But, I may do exactly that. I don't know yet. Does yours leak any fuel out there?

Before the advent of emission controls all carbs vented to the atmosphere.
Mike

 

[t.flatt]

This thing is all back together! I put in a couple copper scrubbers first, then the metal divider, the s.o.s pad, then 4 layers of a foam pre-filter thing I got at the parts store. Good to go! You can use your imagination to see it in fresh black paint.

 

[steve340]

The foam may break down over time - you might have been better to have left that out.
Not a big fan of that crap around engine oil. The factory service schedule would have once called for replacement or cleaning of the PCV components.
When I make one I just use the pot scrubbers and it seems to be fine.
Otherwise looks like you did a good job - back to looking stock - well done.

 

[Bird 426]

No fuel out of the bowl vent that I am aware of.

 

[t.flatt]

The foam may break down over time - you might have been better to have left that out.
Not a big fan of that crap around engine oil. The factory service schedule would have once called for replacement or cleaning of the PCV components.
When I make one I just use the pot scrubbers and it seems to be fine.
Otherwise looks like you did a good job - back to looking stock - well done.

Yes, I thought about the foam going to ****. But, I'd much rather have that hanging above my valvetrain than a balled up bunch of thin wires.

 

[RJRENTON]

So, I have this breather with one one nipple on it that I'd like to use. I have a six barrel with a vent on the center float bowl. I think it should be fine to T a hose from there to the hose that goes from the breather to the air filter base. I have the breather all apart and here is what I got.

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Why not just purchase a NOS or repop PCV breather device for a California car (with 6 barrel engine option) to get the carb vent fitting, plus the fuel tank vapor separator......my original 1970 GTX RS23V0A****** car uses the single nripple fitting on the PVC inlet breather device....the center Holley carb is vented to the atmosphere not thru the vapor storage system. 1971 and later cars use the PCV inlet device with three (3) ripples to accommodate fuel vapor storage hardware....fuel tank, canter carb and air filter connection. What you need is readily available....at a relatively low cost.......just my opinion......
BOB RENTON

 

[steve340]

If it starts to break down you know how to rebuild it now.
I use pot scrubbers that are stainless steel and are not wires - they are more like lathe turning swarth if you get my drift.
No worries about them breaking up.
On my Challenger I gutted the filter and kept the housing and fitted a tiny air filter.

 

[RJRENTON]

Why

If it starts to break down you know how to rebuild it now.
I use pot scrubbers that are stainless steel and are not wires - they are more like lathe turning swarth if you get my drift.
No worries about them breaking up.
On my Challenger I gutted the filter and kept the housing and fitted a tiny air filter.

WHY????......too much fussing and energy expended......unless.....you just like doing obscure meaningless things....for something to do......just my opinion.....
BOB RENTON

 

[Cranky]

Why

WHY????......too much fussing and energy expended......unless.....you just like doing obscure meaningless things....for something to do......just my opinion.....
BOB RENTON

Have you ever considered that people like to do things 'their' way and like to tinker on things that others do not feel like doing????? YOU might think it's meaningless or obscure but there are people who do not think like you do. Lighten up man. Geez.