Crankcase breather.

[M.J.S]

Hi folks. Still very new to this.

My Elan +2 is on Dellortos fitted with K&N filters. Whilst replacing the dizzy cap and leads yesterday, I noticed the breather pipe from the back of the block runs under the carbs and is just open, flapping and connected to nothing.

I'm sure I didn't knock it off because I can't see or feel anything for it to go to. I presume it connected to the original airbox (my workshop manual shows a drawing of it connected to the Stromberg set up, but isn't clear about where it goes with the Dellortos).

It seems crazy having it left open. On Mini Cooper rally cars (my other baby) its common to fit a small conical breather filter to the end of the block breather pipe if the original filter is replaced by a K&N, or to extend it into a small oil catch tank.

Can somebody advise on the usual course of action on an Elan. I see plenty fitted with K&Ns but trying to scrutinise the photos I can't make out what most people do with the breather hose.

Many thanks.

[elan_fan]

back in the day, the early twincams had a right angle breather hose and combined grommet and a tube that went down the side of the block attached to one of the bolts on the bell housing. Later twincams have the breather going to the air box with a small steel tube in the head grommet and a rubber tube to the air box back plate. Racers have the hole or a bit of tube pointing down. I suspect it was just flapping in the breeze. If you want to fit it you'll have to drill a hole in the back of the filter mount and fit a grommet and stuff the hose in.

[elan_fan]

P.S the Block to head breather is a slightly conical shaped rubber with a pretend thread on the large end that should mate with a hole above the fuel pump and the head. Its about 3 1/2 inches long.

[rdssdi]

Look at the back plate of the K&N. It should have a round "knock out" for the insertion of a nylon elbow. The elbow is held in with a threaded fitting that screws onto the elbow threads.

The elbow was supplied with my K&N filters that I installed on my zenith stromberg carbs.

Bob

[terryp]

Hello
I fitted K&Ns fairly recently and I too have Dellortos. I purchased a right angled rubber adapter from Paul Matty and ran a length of tube from this under the carbs right into the nose cone and into an old washer bottle as a catch tank.
Regards
Terry