Help installing crankcase breather elbow

[SF69Elan]

Hi folks, my 69 S4 did not have any crankcase breather vent on it when I bought it. I've shredded a couple of the elbow joints trying to get them installed, and for now and just going to go with a bit of fuel line stuck into the hole and vented below the car.

Is there a trick to getting the elbow joints installed - I was trying to get it installed from the outside of the crankcase by putting some oil on the elbow and trying to get it to push in, but it just seems too large, and when I try to use something like a screwdriver to push in the edges I'm afraid I just ended up poking holes through the rubber.

Suggestions?

Thanks!
Rich

[types26/36]

The later cars do not vent to atmosphere, they have a tube that goes from the head to the carb backplate with a grommet in the head, I thought that S4's had this arrangement.
That aside I have never had a problem fitting the elbow but you could try warming it it with hot water to soften the rubber.

[SF69Elan]

Hi Brian, thanks for your reply. My S4 has been converted to dual filter elements. I did pick up an S4 weber air box but decided not to install it now - trying to sort through the comments on pros and cons of the current set up vs the air box - cooler air vs restricted air flow with air box. And the fiberglass part of the air box is going to need some trimming and massaging to mate well to the backplate.

One of the two elbows that I have is not banged up too badly - I'll try warming it up tomorrow morning and see if I have better luck. Thanks for the recommendation.

Rich

[types26/36]

Rich, just changing the subject slightly, looking at the picture of your carbs it appears as though you do not have Thackeray washers/rubber mountings on the carb mounting studs under the nuts...... although maybe I can't see them?
The carbs should be mounted flexibly to prevent fuel frothing but I'm sure you know that.
Just going back to the venting, a lot of people add a catch tank with a pipe going into it.

[SF69Elan]

Hi Brian - I tried the hot water method earlier this afternoon and it helped some but I still couldn't get the breather elbow fitted. So I started trimming it down, heating it up and finally I snipped a small portion down to the edge and - success! It's probably not optimal, but it's snug, and I think it'll work.

Regarding your observation on the carbs - they were mounted using rubber soft mounts top and bottom (pic below). I tightened them quite a bit recentIy because there were significant air leaks so they may not show up that well in the earlier pic. I did get some Thackeray washers when I ordered the new carbs from Dave Bean. I've read some posts that recommend using the Thackeray washers on the bottom and the rubber mountings on the top instead of Thackeray washers all around - any opinion either way?

Thanks
Rich

[types26/36]

Rich, I have never used the rubber mounts myself (although I do have a set) I have always used the Thackery washers but they do occasionally break.
Using the Thackery at the bottom and the rubber at the top sounds like a reasonable idea but I suppose it just comes down to personal choice.
Looks like you bought a very nice car there.....enjoy.

[rgh0]

Thackerys on the top tend to break so use the rubber spacer type there. The rubber spacers on the bottom get fuel on them and go soft so use the Thackery there. That's Dave Bean recommendation and I have followed it for 30 years without a problem

cheers
Rohan

[SF69Elan]

Brian, Rohan - thanks very much for your replies. Sounds like the plan is Thackeray's on the bottom and rubber up top. Planning to clean everything up, swap out the throttle control arms and get things back together over the next week.

Thanks!
Rich