17 replies to this topic

[Adam Johnson]

Hi all,

I have my S.A. HLE 1275 mini from the importers now safely tucked up in my garage and the fun can really start...

I have noticed I have a breather on the left hand side of the engine going no where and a breather in the rocker cover going nowhere (see attached pictures). Should they be left as is, should I out breather filters on them or can I plumb them somewhere (and to what end would it achieve). I hope this makes sense?

Attached Files

•  IMG_0705.jpg   37.58K   16 downloads
•  IMG_0706.jpg   34.71K   13 downloads

[cal844]

I usually just fit hoses to themand route them into the wheel arch areas. you can run them to the carb but if the engine is breathing you'll get blue smoke from the exhaust

Edited by cal844, 07 December 2018 - 09:46 AM.

[nicklouse]

what year is the car?

 

as that will have a bearing on what breathing set up has been removed from it. and no they should not be left open.

[Adam Johnson]

what year is the car?
 
as that will have a bearing on what breathing set up has been removed from it. and no they should not be left open.

It’s 1979 - I hope that helps?

[Rorf]

One advantage of leaving them off is you will end up with a nice oily engine compartment which should stop the rust.

Connecting them to the carb vacuum pipe will prevent this and also stop the engine leaking oil as a vacuum is generated in the engine to get rid of all the oily vapours.

[Retroman]

2 breather hoses and a Y piece

 

Pm for a price, 10% off for TMF members

 

http://www.retromini...roducts_id=1112

[Ethel]

The Y piece would be the way if you have a timing chain cover breather.

 

That rocker cover isn't original. Air should enter through the oil filler cap, it restricts the flow to create a slight vacuum which helps the oil seals stay sealed. The factory spec used hoses connected to the transfer gear housing (you've got that one) and a similar oil separator can attached to the timing chain cover - better for sucking up blow-by fumes and drawing oil back to the sump.

 

You could blank off the rocker cover pipe, or try putting a restriction in the line to bias the flow to the other connection. Don't leave it open to atmospheric pressure as that'd over power the filler restriction and kill any crankcase depression. 

[johnv]

If you were starting from a blank canvas, what is a good way of installing a breather system?

[Ethel]

Same as the factory...

 

varies with engine and fuel system. Catch cans and open breathers are only for out and out racers and then the benefits are minimal.

[Retroman]

There is no reason why you can't just use 2 standard breather hoses and a standard Y piece then take the end to the carb

 

Big end of Y to rocker cover, one leg to flywheel housing breather - remaining leg to carb

 

Assuming you have the breather port on the carb, its simple

[johnv]

Not wishing to take this thread too off track .. my system can’t be ‘the same as factory’ .. I will (probably) be using a 1275gt block but with no breather on the flywheel housing .. and twin SUs. But I think I can use a timing chain cover with a breather. I guess I will have to use either one or the other as no tapper chest covers, a breather just from the rocker cover to the carbs is not sufficient?
(Apologies Adam)

Edited by johnv, 07 December 2018 - 02:47 PM.

[nicklouse]

Not wishing to take this thread too off track .. my system can’t be ‘the same as factory’ .. I will (probably) be using a 1275gt block but with no breather on the flywheel housing .. and twin SUs. But I think I can use a timing chain cover with a breather. I guess I will have to use either one or the other as no tapper chest covers, a breather just from the rocker cover to the carbs is not sufficient?
(Apologies Adam)

drill out the transfer case breather hole.  the idea of some of the set ups is to pull air through the engine from the filler cap into the crankcase and then out through the transfer case and the timing cover rocker cover one in this case is useless.

[Adam Johnson]

Not wishing to take this thread too off track .. my system can’t be ‘the same as factory’ .. I will (probably) be using a 1275gt block but with no breather on the flywheel housing .. and twin SUs. But I think I can use a timing chain cover with a breather. I guess I will have to use either one or the other as no tapper chest covers, a breather just from the rocker cover to the carbs is not sufficient?
(Apologies Adam)

drill out the transfer case breather hole.  the idea of some of the set ups is to pull air through the engine from the filler cap into the crankcase and then out through the transfer case and the timing cover rocker cover one in this case is useless.

No problems John!

So in my case, would you propose I switch to an original rocker cover and filler cap and then just run my breather hose straight to the carb rather than joining the two breathers together with a y pipe and running them to the carb?

[gazza82]

Site playing up .. didn't show any replies until I pressed post .. so deleted as out of sync and the answers provided!.

Edited by gazza82, 07 December 2018 - 04:59 PM.

[Ethel]

The rocker breather will function fine in many ways, but being so close to the air inlet it's likely to suck air coming in straight back out more than gather up combustion fumes from the crankcase, which is a bit kinder to your oil.

 

You don't need to go the expense of a new rocker cover, just block the pipe. Or you could trade, as it's shiney and probably came off something much older with twin carbs.