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This site is completely free and there are no costs. Please enjoy and provide feedback.New Member's 406 Mark Jones Eng. And story to get there
- Thread starter cage2592
- Start date
kmakar
Janitor
Click on Mike's Avatar and when it pops up you'll see a button to start a conversation with him.
I remember who you are as you had been replying to emails sent from the website to which I passed them on to Mike. Replying to emails doesn't work, you'll need to log into the site and reply there.
Did you talk to Mark about it?
CorvettePassion
New Member
Yes, I am in regular communiction with him, and he is suggesting things, which I typically do. But, I am trying to supplement that with as much information and input as I can. Mark is very busy building engines, and does not have time to babysit people like me who have a million questions. So I expand on it, and try to learn as much as I can. The engine is super strong, and reliable. This oil consumption problem has not been resolved,....but it has been identified as oil being sucked through the PCV into the intake tracks.....that is confirmed. WHY this is happenning has not yet been determined. There is a baffle in the valve covers.....which may not be adequate....but I have modified it to the point it should be....and yet, the PCV continues to pull oil. Mark is thinking that the Johnson lifters are pushing too much oil into the valve cover areas......he describes them as streams of oil spewing up...he has witnessed it. Johnson Lifters told me this should not be happenning.....but it is. I am going to try to borescope inside the valve covers with the engine running...and see if they are. Standard oil pressure and volume pump is installed. I am currently running the car without PCV....with breathers on both covers....but its not my intent to continue that, because I think PCV is needed in my application. I was losing a quart of oil in 500 miles.....twice. My thread on the Corvette forum is massive,....and continues, as I document the journey.
Mike has virtually the same engine.....I want to see what his experience is....does his use Johnson lifters?? Does he have oil consumption? Why is the Wagner PCV not working for him? Why does he have higher vacuum than I do......what is his idle quality...mine lopes......his thread said his is smooth. Why does my vacuum fluctuate at idle?
kmakar
Janitor
I recorded his engine and sound and you can hear how smooth it is:
70 Chevelle Exhaust
So Kevin made a visit recently and while showing him around, we started the 70 to hear it idle and checked out the cooling. He was kind enough to share the clip and I wanted to put it up incase someone wanted to hear the sound. This is as Mark Jones VORTECPRO 406 mentioned in my engine build...
oldchevelles.com
CorvettePassion
New Member
I recorded his engine and sound and you can hear how smooth it is:
70 Chevelle Exhaust
So Kevin made a visit recently and while showing him around, we started the 70 to hear it idle and checked out the cooling. He was kind enough to share the clip and I wanted to put it up incase someone wanted to hear the sound. This is as Mark Jones VORTECPRO 406 mentioned in my engine build...
It sounds alot like mine......but deeper sounding...probably the 3 inch exhaust, etc. But the pattern of the lope is similar.....so thats a good thing.
kmakar
Janitor
I can't comment because I haven't heard yours, but his is strong and has the perfect idle. It's clean sounding not being to loppy, but not stock, the perfect settle between the two.
Give Mike a few days to catch up and I'm sure he'll get with you.
cage2592
Administrator
I'm back and everything is going much better for the family now and seems to be under control. I responded to his PM with my number.
I have the same Johnson lifters and we should have the same cam as well and the Wagner did work for me as a PCV. The engine still runs amazing and still doesn't leak any oil. My Vacuum is pretty steady also. Idles great at about 750rpm. My oil pressure is still about 70psi on startup, 60psi when warm and after driving and operating temp, about 50psi at idle.
My issue with the Wagner was that it worked great at idle. But I think it was stuffing up the breathing system at hwy speed and WOT. The Wagner PCV was in the passenger side and a wire mesh breather in the driver's side. The breather would have oil residue in it and come out on to the headers. not much but enough to smoke and have the oil burning smell. I was also getting dirty (not fouled) plugs with oil crystals as I assumed oil was bypassing the PCV and burning in the cylinders which was attributing to the oil consumption. Not as much as what you're saying though. I was attributing it to pressure build up as driving normal for a week saw none of those issues. I also DID NOT have baffles in the valve covers. I do not by any means drive this engine slow or treat it nicely.
A little over a year ago I installed the baffles on both covers AND a 'single sided' crank case evac system (sales picture below) only in the passenger side valve cover to exhaust collector. I left the valve cover breather in the drivers side. Though I used AN fittings from the valve cover to a 1qt oil separator on the firewall, to the exhaust. Now no more oil coming out the driver side breather and only small traces of oil in the separator. I have a VAC gauge on the crankcase evac system and see about 3-5" vac at idle and 8-10" around 3000rpm. Still great oil pressure.
When I get home tonight, ill snap a few pics of how the system looks and plumbed.
I have the same Johnson lifters and we should have the same cam as well and the Wagner did work for me as a PCV. The engine still runs amazing and still doesn't leak any oil. My Vacuum is pretty steady also. Idles great at about 750rpm. My oil pressure is still about 70psi on startup, 60psi when warm and after driving and operating temp, about 50psi at idle.
My issue with the Wagner was that it worked great at idle. But I think it was stuffing up the breathing system at hwy speed and WOT. The Wagner PCV was in the passenger side and a wire mesh breather in the driver's side. The breather would have oil residue in it and come out on to the headers. not much but enough to smoke and have the oil burning smell. I was also getting dirty (not fouled) plugs with oil crystals as I assumed oil was bypassing the PCV and burning in the cylinders which was attributing to the oil consumption. Not as much as what you're saying though. I was attributing it to pressure build up as driving normal for a week saw none of those issues. I also DID NOT have baffles in the valve covers. I do not by any means drive this engine slow or treat it nicely.
A little over a year ago I installed the baffles on both covers AND a 'single sided' crank case evac system (sales picture below) only in the passenger side valve cover to exhaust collector. I left the valve cover breather in the drivers side. Though I used AN fittings from the valve cover to a 1qt oil separator on the firewall, to the exhaust. Now no more oil coming out the driver side breather and only small traces of oil in the separator. I have a VAC gauge on the crankcase evac system and see about 3-5" vac at idle and 8-10" around 3000rpm. Still great oil pressure.
When I get home tonight, ill snap a few pics of how the system looks and plumbed.
cage2592
Administrator
I read through his thread over there and he was given some great info. I respect what he wants to do and trying to eliminate. The valve covers he was using and getting the correct breather baffles for his oiling. As I stated above, (and not to get in a PCV argument) I had originally installed a Wagner PCV and the engine ran great with it. But later decided against it as I felt it was the reason for the oil on the plugs. My intent was to see how 'streetable' I could get this engine. Later settled against it and the engine runs amazing without it. I will be honest and say I never run a PCV which is what he is wanting to do.
But then again I'm in the 'Conspiracy theory' camp and don't run kick down cables, vac adv, vac secondaries, choke horns, aluminum radiators, full exhaust, oil bypass filters, and only use 160* thermostats and now 0w-40 Euro syn blend oil.
I know ! I'm a rebel.
But then again I'm in the 'Conspiracy theory' camp and don't run kick down cables, vac adv, vac secondaries, choke horns, aluminum radiators, full exhaust, oil bypass filters, and only use 160* thermostats and now 0w-40 Euro syn blend oil.
I know ! I'm a rebel.
kmakar
Janitor
I had the same problem with a Mercedes E320 diesel I owned and the dealer said it was working as designed. I added a catch can off the PVC breather higher than the valve cover (hose was pitched back to the breather) then onto the vacuum where it was hooked previously and never had a problem again. Had maybe a couple of drips of oil in the catch can between each oil change (every 3k miles for that car). Next time it went to Mercedes dealer they looked at it and one mechanic said he wouldn't work on it, and another mechanic said it was a good idea and didn't know why Mercedes didn't do that from the beginning.
CorvettePassion
New Member
I am trying to get hold of Mike on the phone....his voicemail is full and he isn't answering.....so Mike...if you read this, call me. I just rather discuss my questions on the phone.
That's a nice setup. I think Vortecpro has a similar setup.
What are those things second from right ? Check valves ?