Engine Catch Can or not?

[R82148V]

Hello everyone!

Question on a catch can. This is an 87 NA.. Garage kept.. North East climate. Engine has stock cam and heads. I'm in the middle of installing an Explorer upper and lower intake w/ a 65mm Accufab TB and EGR spacer. This Explorer intake is from a 96' so it has the larger baffle underneath.
This is only driven on weekends and occasional show n tell at work. I would like to start fresh and keep the oil residue out of this new set up as best as possible, but don't know if its worth it? Can a can restrict and actually create more pressure in the crankcase? I just don't want to blow any gaskets or seals. This fox is old.

Thank you!!

 

[86HO5.0]

IMO--No. EGR is the biggest crud builder on these cars, if you want to keep the intake clean delete that.

 

[R82148V]

I hear you. I was trying to keep the EGR setup intact. I feel a no too for the CC..

 

[AeroCoupe]

Make sure your PCV system is operating correctly and use a smoke machine (bought or DIY) and check for vacuum leaks.

 

[2000xp8]

As aero suggested, make sure the entire vacuum system is in good shape.
Doesn't sound like you daily drive it, personally i wouldn't worry about it too much. Even with a catch can some oil is going to get in there. Not to mention in general it wasn't a big problem like it is on newer cars.

 

[Mustang5L5]

I have one on my car. I barely get anything in there but I don't put the sort of miles on it like i do my daily drivers. IMHO this is more of an issue for direct injected vehicles vs Foxbody Mustangs.

If you have money burning a hole in your pocket and want to do one, go for it, but otherwise I personally don't think this is a high priority item on a N/A build.

 

[R82148V]

I have one on my car. I barely get anything in there but I don't put the sort of miles on it like i do my daily drivers. IMHO this is more of an issue for direct injected vehicles vs Foxbody Mustangs.

If you have money burning a hole in your pocket and want to do one, go for it, but otherwise I personally don't think this is a high priority item on a N/A build.

With all this great advice, I'll stem away from installing one. There was never an issue with blow by being a concern, I just figured since I'm starting out fresh, to see if I can keep all the internals of the intake system clean.. I'll just continue with the periodic maintenance of spraying out the TB, intake and cleaning the EGR. I'm curious how this much larger baffle on the lower intake will make a difference compared to the stock small one.

 

[86HO5.0]

I'm running an Expo lower with the large baffle and no EGR. Intake stays very clean.

Car uses about 1/2qt per 5k miles. No leaks.

 

[JD1964]

Catch cans are most beneficial on newer cars with direct injection. On a 5.0 Foxbody? , meh….pass

 

[ctandc]

Catch can systems can be beneficial, regardless of fuel delivery system - for street driven vehicles. Regardless of engine, the PCV system collects oil vapor and that oil vapor travels back into the induction tract of the engine and gets consumed in the combustion process. Some engines, certain direct injected engines for example, are more prone to issues caused by this. This can cause buildup inside the induction system and on the valves etc.

It's all relative to type of induction, engine, how it's driven etc etc.

Does it have a noticeable impact on most engines, unless your are talking long-term / high miles situations? Doubtful.

Same with EGR. I've removed my fair share of these systems, especially older designs, but a correctly working EGR system doesn't really hurt performance. Some tuners even lean towards it helping in certain situations as if it's working correctly it can lower combustion temps. This is more beneficial with forced induction, being able to run higher static compression ratios and more timing etc.

Just my 2 cents and what I've seen over the past 35 years of throwing wrenches across the room and wishing my hobby was cheaper.