I just had a guy replace the front seals on my '81 240GLT due to an oil leak. Afterward he told me that that would fix the leak for now, but if I didn't have him replace the crankcase ventilation box, flame trap etc. it would just begin to leak again soon because of the pressure that builds in the crankcase. My question is, do I need to replace the whole ventilation box, or would just replacing the flame trap suffice? The job he described sounded very labor intensive and expensive and from what I found on iPd it seems like just changing the flame trap would do the trick. Can anyone help me on this one? Also, any tips, tricks, tutorials on getting in there to that flame trap? It looks pretty well hidden and inaccessable. Thanks!

 

Although I have not done it (but need to), I've been told that the flame trap is all that needs to be done. Reading ipd's description of why it should be done and the improvement made in back pressure makes sense. I've heard that taking the FT apart usually breaks parts on it, so stand-by for that. I plan on buying the whole FT rather than servicing and/or replacing existing pieces.

Good luck,

 

I too am interested in repairing my crankcase ventilation, by either replacing the flame trap or the whole box. I’m not sure how to go about it.

 

Normally just the trap can be replaced or cleaned, but sometimes the box under the trap and the pipe may be plugged up. Taking the box out is hard and it's better to remove the intake manifold to service the box. But removal of the manifold is not hard at all. The box itself can usually just be cleaned.