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OE valve cover grommet

mrk5

mrk5

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I've got the original valve covers for my 1973 350 engine. I'm really trying not to buy new valve covers, but finding a new breather grommet is a pain in the arse.

The hole in the valve cover is just 7/8". I cannot find a new grommet from my usual sources. Any help?

20230325_135308.jpg
 
Oreillys, they had them for a pack deal with like 2 or 3 other sizes
 
Those don't work because they're 7/8 ID for the breather tube. I need them to fit 7/8 hole in the valve cover. And you will notice the way they list the specs on grommets can be frustrating.

Those grommets say 1-11/32" OD, is that OD that fits the valve cover hole, or the largest dimension of the entire grommet? The only hint is it says it fits 1-1/8" valve cover hole in the notes which is 1-4/32". Seems like the most important information is practically hidden.

I did find a solution for now. I had an extra, new pcv grommet. They fit the breather hole. The pcv is 5/8, but I was able to push the 3/4 breather tube into it. At least it's a good tight fit.
 
Yeah but if you read the description, they are both 1.22" O.D. but one has 1" I.D. and the other 3/4". The 1" I.D. is bigger than the hole in my valve cover so I can't see how the other one will fit if it's the same 1.22" O.D.

This is the description for the same grommets on Summit's site:
Made from high-quality black rubber, these grommet sets will fit valve covers with 1.22 in. holes. They seal breather caps, oil filler caps, and PCV valves to your valve covers to prevent vacuum leaks and the loss of oil. These kits include two grommets--one for push-in air breathers, and one for PCV valves
Click to expand...

1.22" valve cover hole seems to be the most common size.
 
Maybe McMaster Carr?
 
the grove, for the grommet is 1" I can pull the one in pictures it is old and hard as rock, and measure the grove,. If you like.
 
I get what you are saying. I do have some genuine gm vc grommets but finding them has yet to happen
 
I just hate to keep buying grommets hoping they will fit and wasting the money. It just baffles me how they aren't easier to find. I'm wondering if maybe the correct grommet is just described incorrectly, but I really don't want to buy a bunch of grommets to find out.

At this point I'm thinking about pulling the cover and making the hole larger. Or I might use one of the bolt-on style breathers.

I'm okay for now since I was able to make a PCV grommet work, but I want to get a breather with a tube I can direct to the air cleaner. I don't like how the breather I have now leaves the oil film around it on the valve cover.
 
The .770 measurements picture is the narrow section between the 2 raised of the tube for breather.

I am of the opinion the 1.22 is over all od and the 1" is the grove depth.
 
Huh. You want to run it to the intake? Shouldn't it be going to the exhaust??:D

Screenshot_20230327_112719_Chrome.jpg
 
I had this issue when shopping for my valve covers. It was more a pain in the rear than I wanted or anticipated. Unfortunately, I bought mine a couple years and don't remember where I got them, it was either summit or amazon in a 3 pack.

I did try the ones with the foam but I ended up ditching that foam piece was too restrictive if I remember. My covers didn't have baffles.
 
I've read of people using a ladies hair scrunchy under the breather so you do get oil, if it's getting past the baffle
 
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