'60 Lark V-8 crankcase ventilation doohicky

[rocinante]

My '60 Lark has a road draft tube going out the back of the intake valley, and ALSO a 3/4" rubber hose from the right valve cover to the air cleaner, with what appears to be some kind of a valve featuring a small red plastic plunger and a rubber bellows where it connects to the valve cover. My car's build sheet says it was originally sold in El Monte California. Could this be some kind of CA-only emissions device (i.e. PCV valve)? I have yet to see it on any other V-8 1960 Lark that I've inspected. I did not expect a 1960 car to have any kind of emission equipment, however rudimentary. Anything anyone here can tell me about this would be most appreciated. Also, if this is an original Studebaker part, are any repair parts available for it? It's not shown nor mentioned in the parts catalog.
Thanks folks.
Charles Schneider


'53 Champion Starlight Coupe
'60 Lark VIII
'50 2R5

[Roscomacaw]

You're not gonna find that stuff in a Studebaker parts book. But California DID make older cars sport add-on Emission gadgets for a time (they don't any more) and that's probably how it ended up on your car.
Some folks add the oil filler cap-to-air cleaner hose just to contend with blow-by on older engines.

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[Guest]

Thanks for the reply, Mr Biggs... Have you seen this thing I describe on another California '60 Studebaker? I was thinking of just tossing the thing and getting another air cleaner and valve cover without the holes. I don't get why it has the road draft tube also- maybe it has been plugged? I have not pulled it off to check.
Best,
Charles

'53 Champion Starlight Coupe
'60 Lark VIII
'50 2R5

[Skip Lackie]

The first factory-equipped emissions equipment were PCVs on 1962 model vehicles sold new in Calif only. 50-state PCVs started in 1963. As Mr Biggs said, that was undoubtedly an add-on, either to satisfy a Calif retrofit requirement or to solve a blow-by problem. Unless it's smoking a lot, just replace the air cleaner and valve cover. But yes, do check the road draft tube to make sure it wasn't plugged up on purpose.
Skip Lackie

[DEEPNHOCK]

Fram and AC (as well as a few other companies) made PCV retrofit kits for the early years. Some of these were, well, cobbled up out of some odd pieces. The development of PCV systems took a bit to get standardized. Nothing would surprise me....
Jeff[8D]

quote:Originally posted by rocinante

My '60 Lark has a road draft tube going out the back of the intake valley, and ALSO a 3/4" rubber hose from the right valve cover to the air cleaner, with what appears to be some kind of a valve featuring a small red plastic plunger and a rubber bellows where it connects to the valve cover. My car's build sheet says it was originally sold in El Monte California. Could this be some kind of CA-only emissions device (i.e. PCV valve)? I have yet to see it on any other V-8 1960 Lark that I've inspected. I did not expect a 1960 car to have any kind of emission equipment, however rudimentary. Anything anyone here can tell me about this would be most appreciated. Also, if this is an original Studebaker part, are any repair parts available for it? It's not shown nor mentioned in the parts catalog.
Thanks folks.
Charles Schneider


'53 Champion Starlight Coupe
'60 Lark VIII
'50 2R5

DEEPNHOCK at Cox.net
'37 Coupe Express
'37 Coupe Express Trailer
'61 Hawk

http://community.webshots.com/user/deepnhock

[Mike Van Veghten]

First you need to verify the road draft tube is not plugged (by accident or on purpose)!

Then yes, you can remove the add on junk that (as others have said) was most likely installed in the late 70's early 80's.

As long as your engine isn't burning much oil, it might be a good idea to install a PCV valve system...correctly, rather than the way it was done before.

[Alan]

They called them Carter Kits and had to be put on any used car sold in Calif. in the 70's and early 80's.

[Guest]

So that's what that thing is? A "Carter kit"? Very interesting. Thanks for clearing that up. Since it's apparently not an original Studebaker part, I look forward to removing that thing and tossing it in the trash! Anybody have a good used air cleaner (oil bath) and right valve cover for a 60 Lark 8? Email me off line at cbschneider@att.net.
Thanks guys.

Charles Schneider


'53 Champion Starlight Coupe
'60 Lark VIII
'50 2R5

[Roscomacaw]

Is this the 4-nut valve cover style?

As to that draft tube, they originally had a wad of steel mesh inside them that was retained by a cotter pin. That mesh can get totally clogged with oil and consequently, dirt - over the years. Don't try to remove the mesh (assuming it's still there), just wash out the tube good with solvent.


Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[Guest]

Yes, I believe it is the 4-nut style valve cover but I will have to go have a look to be sure. Thanks for tip about the draft tube. I'm going to get into this thing this weekend.

'53 Champion Starlight Coupe
'60 Lark VIII
'50 2R5