I've heard of people removing the PCV valve on the 84 2.5 engine, and just putting one of those small breather filters there. Has anyone here done this?? What are the gains/losses of doin it, and is it worth it.

Also, what exactly does that damn thing do???

I've never heard of anyone removinf the PCV valve and putting a breather on... I have however heard of people removing the OEM style breather and replacing it with an open-element breather. However I would be interested in hearing more on this of anyone else has input?

PVC = positive ventalation crankcase or something like that - it sucks the hot oil fumes out of the engine block, and and exhaust that is blown past the rings into the crankcase.

in itself it doesnt do anything special, but the valve is connected to the intake manifold - so if you pull it off you have what is more or less a vacuum leak and you engine will run lean or rich, depending on which sensor gets screwed up the most.

the PVC valve cost about $3 at any parts store - if you have any doubts about its condition just get a new one - its not worth getting you hands greasy to even mess with the old one or to try and clean it - just throw it away and replace it.

all u have to do is pull it out and shake it. if it rattles its good. Its only a steel ball laying in a pocket.

PVC? You have Poly Vynle Chloride plumbing in a car? (Teasing....)

PCV, positive crankcase vent, is there to protect the engine as well as the environment. You would not really want to remove that valve. Just replace it if you think it might be shot.

Sounds like you may be confused with/by people who removed the OE air cleaner and stuck somthing aftermarket on it. In that case you have to put a replacement filter of some kind on the PCV opening that used to be under the air cleaner neck.

The PCV sucks blowby gasses out of the block...
The air filter you mentioned is used to replace the factory filter when the aircleaner is replaced...

Originally, the gasses were vented out of the engine and into the air, now they are sucked into the intake via the PCV valve...
You can replace the PCV valve and stock filter with push in filters, but you will have a lot of oil film covering the engine compartment, and dust likes to stick to the film!

Remember, the PCV is part of the emissions package and it is a federal crime to tamper with emission controls...
crash...

Just as importantly. It significantly reduces gum/varnish/etc formation inside the engine by forcibly reducing conentrations of waste gasses from the normal operation of the engine. This improves engine life.

Ahh... You were right, it wasn't the PCV valve, it was the one on the other side of the valve cover... Sorry, my mistake. Also, My PCV gasket leaks like crazy. I replaced the Rubber grommet that goes into the valve cover but it seems like the plastic part that plugs into that wants to tilt backwards. After about 2 weeks, it starts leaking each time. I don't think the PCV is bad, I'll change it tho, any other suggestions?

I've yet to find a source of PCV valve gromits that don't seep or just leak.

The 84 is diferant from the 87... It has the plastic thing between the actual valve and cover... I'm not sure what you can do to fix them.

Too bad they don't make one with threads, then it would't leak...
crash...

So then Ogre, Can I just switch my 84 to the 87 setup? Or 86 even, that never leaked on me...??

Converting to the later setup should not be a problem. Make sure you use the valve for what ever year. They are calibrated for the position the are used in....