Has anyone connected up a breather system with the engine completely assembled. Obviously it would be a LOT easier with the head removed or at least the manifolds off to get to the bung under the exhaust manifold and the return under the inlet side (4x4 saff). Want to fit one before installing some power upgrades but don't really want to take the manifolds off if I don't have to. Looking at it I am struggling to even see where these connections are, let alone connect something to them. Thanks David

 

I think your supposed to return on the exhaust side (to the sump ideally) but this means extra work.

The kidney box (inlet side) is where it breaths from to a catch tank.

'Three way' breathing is the ultimate, but you need a union machined into the cam cover.

As to access, it's not that restrictive.

Martin

 

I done mine in-situ you need to work from underneath, breath both sides of the block you can get hose unions for both, I removed the kidney box but some leave it on. The return I went to sump using an adapter which screwed into the drain plug hole but at a later date when it was more convenient I removed the sump weld an adapter on, some drill the cam cover but some say it’s better from either side of the block.

 

On 4x4 you can use the oe Return to sump, who are under kidney box

 

Thanks for the answers. I was intending to return to the OE return under the kidney box and breathe from both the exhaust side which currently has a bung which has the knock sensor wiring attached, and the original hole that has the kidney box attached. The real question I was asking which is probably answered by Martin and Tosh was whether I could make all these connections without disassembling the engine at all (manifolds etc) as it looks very difficult to get in there to connect the hoses. Another question is why do these breather catch tanks vent to atmosphere and not feed back into the intake after separation of the oil and vapour. Assume you would need too still use some sort of PCV valve if you wanted to do this. Thanks again. David.

 

The answer to your question, is because this is the preferable way.

Breathing back to the engine (and burning the oil) is not desirable on a performance engine, as it can cause detonation.

Martin

 

Did mine all in situ, not that difficult.

However engine is now out with modded sump etc awaiting me to re-fit it.

 

Thanks again for the answers. Glad to hear from someone that has done it with everything in situ. Just need to get on with it now. Cheers David

 

If you need any pictures just ask as my head is off at the moment so both breathing ports either side of the block are visible and can take pictures if you need.

 

Thanks for the offer Adam but I think I have found all the connection points I need. The following thread had some pictures that helped.
https://passionford.com/forum/genera...-cosworth.html
Cheers
David