Engine: Missing a Piece -Road Draft Tube

[valleyguy]

I removed my road draft tube to clean it and in comparing it to the illustration in
the manual, looks like the bottom extension piece is missing; thats the part with the mesh in it. I've had a problem with oil smells getting into the car, and was wondering
if this is the culprit, i.e. maybe with the tube missing that extension, it is not far
enough down into the air stream to function properly? Just wondering..

Joe D.

[Bud]

Your road draft tube looks like the tubes I've seen on other V8 engines, I don't see anything missing. Bud

[valleyguy]

Bud, notice the little extension piece on the illustration. this is from the 1956 manual, maybe the factory stopped using it - or they have
a tendency to go missing...
Thanks,

Joe D.

[Skip Lackie]

That is not an extension -- it is a heavy steel wool insert that prevents dirt and critters from getting into the tube. It goes in the tube and is held with a cotter pin.

[Bud]

The later tubes don't use the steel wool insert filter. If you install the filter, be sure to clean it periodically as they can plug up with crud which can cause excess pressure in the pan which will cause oil leaks. Bud

[valleyguy]

Ah ha. thanks much. I'll leave the tube just as it is. It was nice and clear with very little oil in in when I removed it. As for oil leaks, I have enough
already, don't need more.

Joe D.

[DEEPNHOCK]

Look at your road draft tube.
If there is a small 1/8" hole drilled crossways in it, then you can add an insert if you want.
I use a chunk of a stainless pot scrubbing pad...
Just slide the chunk in (don't 'pack' it) and put a long cotter pin in to keep it in place.
Works good.

The later tubes don't use the steel wool insert filter. If you install the filter, be sure to clean it periodically as they can plug up with crud which can cause excess pressure in the pan which will cause oil leaks. Bud

[valleyguy]

Thanks Jeff, great idea. Good alternative to the factory part which I can't find anyway.
Joe D.

[skyway]

...or a piece cut from a copper scrubber.