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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - 1500 valve cover to carb pipes

I don't know if anyone can help me with an authoritive answer but is it safe to block off the pipe inputs to the carbs and route the valve cover pipe to a catch tank?
I've read that feeding the oily air from the top of the engine to the carbs reduces the octane of the fuel,but I've also read that the pipework is required to create lower air pressure above the valves.
Any opinions, and I'm sure there are a few,are appreciated.
Cheers
Steve
S Sloan

You do really need the vacuum created by the intake to reduce crankcase pressure & oil leaks.

The crankcase fumes will dilute the mixture slightly, but unless you're really after every last HP, I wouldn't worry about it.
Dave O'Neill 2

"is it safe to block off the pipe inputs to the carbs and route the valve cover pipe to a catch tank?"

ABSOLUTELY!

"You do really need the vacuum created by the intake to reduce crankcase pressure & oil leaks."

With the Triumph 4-pot that is ABSOLUTE rubbish. The feed to the carbs was NEVER about crankcase pressure but about reducing emissions. Had it been a problem with crankcase pressurisation then, pray, tell me why the Spitfires (pre late MkIV), the Heralds and the other various Triumph 4-pot saloons NEVER had such a set up?
Deborah Evans

Dave and Deborah,
Thanks for your input. I'll be fitting an oil cooler this weekend so I'll have a look at it then.
Thanks again
Steven
S Sloan

Just to deviate a bit, but fitting an oil cooler has been mentioned.

I already have an oil cooler fitted and was considering fitting an oil thermostat into the circuit (having read that a rapid warm up of the oil is desirable)

I'm a bit skeptical about this as it is said that the 1500 tends to run very hot in the lubrication department and I would have thought that the oil would benefit from being cooled right from the word go, even from start-up.

I'm talking about summer use here - the car is tucked up in bed in the Winter.

Dave
D MATTHEWS

This thread was discussed between 29/06/2011 and 02/07/2011

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