[Brentco]

Another great option is the ME Wagner adjustable PCV valve. It’s not cheap, but, IMO, stock PCV valves won’t provide the correct amount of flow at the correct times when you have a highly modified high output engine, so you need a special valve.

You definitely need a PCV valve, and there are a lot of great discussions on the forum about the correct way to set up your PCV system. Check those out for all the details. Briefly, the PCV system needs to go in a loop — fresh air from one valve cover (ideally from a large hose to your air cleaner), PCV valve in valley pan plumbed to catch can (if desired) and then to carb port or other vacuum source. The other valve cover is plugged.

It sounds like what you’re calling a closed system has both valve covers connected to engine vacuum, and no fresh air source. That’s no bueno. There’s no incoming fresh air to balance out the outgoing crankcase vapors. Having breathers on both valve covers is better, but you’re still not getting the push pull effect from a looped system. And you had two breathers with no PCV, so there was nothing to control the flow of vapors. So it makes sense that neither of the setups you tried worked. I have never heard of frothy oil arising from PCV issues, but I suppose it could make sense if there’s no valve and the combustion gases are running rampant. Either way, you’re going to want to get your PCV system nailed down correctly.

Also, if you’re talking about the Butler valley pan that is just a single curved sheet of metal, I would advise against that route. Pontiacs need very good baffling, and although Butler has improved the baffling in that pan, IMO it still isn’t adequate for a lot of applications. Given the output of your engine and the fact that you’re already having issues, I would recommend against that one. The Tomahawk pan (also sold through Butler) works much better — it replicates the factory baffling, which is much more extensive, and still provides clearance for rockers. Speaking of baffling, you didn’t mention any baffling in the valve cover. That’s a must and may allow you to eventually get rid of the catch can.

@JLMounce — I haven’t heard of the Motion Raceworks PCV system, and I’m not seeing it on their website? Just curious because I’m not familiar.

[JLMounce]

Originally Posted by Brentco

@JLMounce — I haven’t heard of the Motion Raceworks PCV system, and I’m not seeing it on their website? Just curious because I’m not familiar.

I could have sworn they had a PCV option in their oil separator line. Apparently not, as all I see are their draft setup cans. That would leave MMS for a high power PCV solution.

I run the MMS draft can because my engine has a bit of blowby.