428 Intake splash shield

[RonG]

I'm in the process of putting my 428 back together with Edelbrock heads and intake. I forgot to install the metal splash shield that covers the lifter gallery under the intake. Does anyone know how important this shield is? I hate to remove the intake again to install this shield but I will if it's critical.
RonG

[IC2]

That's a valley cover - and if you don't want to cook the oil as it hits up against the intake manifold heat (exhaust) crossover, it needs to be there. When the oil is overheated, it loses its lubicity as well as boiling off the additives. It has to be there.

[redrodman48]

Yep what IC2 said. you def need it

[FFR428]

The valley pan also helps to reduce blowby.

[RonG]

Thanks for the replies. The Edelbrock manifold doesn't have the exhaust crossover but I'm going to pull the manifold and put the cover in.

[Soldiers-rod]

How's that part help with blowby, and not having the exhaust crossover you wouldnt need it right? (have the same thing going on with one of my engines)

[FFR428]

Along with the blowby, oil from the crank and cam are whipped up and carried thru the blocks vent holes in the lifter valley. This whips the hot oil up onto the bottom of the valley pan. Where it has a chance to condense and fall back into the block and down to the pan. Also helps keep the oil away from the pvc or road draft tube when installed in the rear of the intake. And also collecting and burning on the intakes exhaust crossover as you mention if not in place. From what I've read and understand the blowby might be more sensivtive to the intakes with rear pvc or road draft tubes. Than the later valve cover filter and pvc systems. As it's the oil is fairly condensed at that point when it reaches the heads. So I'm not sure if that is anymore an answer that a statement? What type of engine is your problem on? FE or other?

[Soldiers-rod]

FE, a 390. Got an edel intake on it without the crossover, edel heads and everything. Ran it for a little while before having to leave the project behind to go back to base (am in the army) and it didnt seem to be a problem. I trust your judement on this though, gonna tear the whole thing apart to put that in.

[FFR428]

FE, a 390. Got an edel intake on it without the crossover, edel heads and everything. Ran it for a little while before having to leave the project behind to go back to base (am in the army) and it didnt seem to be a problem. I trust your judement on this though, gonna tear the whole thing apart to put that in.

Well if it's not a problem leave it alone. As long as there's no oil blowin out yer pvc system anywhere it fine. If there was a issue I'd say yea next time your in there throw it in. But honestly I'd leave it out for now.

[Argess]

I once built up an FE and didn't have one of those baffles, so it got put together wihtout one. It was fine without it. In fact, I think most other V8's don't use one.

If it were me, and I forgot to install one, I wouldn't worry about it, but I would save it and install it next time I had something aprt. Especially if I knew my exhaust crossover was blocked. Those FE manifolds are a pain to remove, wiht having to take all opushrods out, etc.

[FE Dude]

I'm with 428 on this, but, without high jacking this post, I do have a question.
In years past I've had issues with the base of the carb freezing up with just the simple addition of headers not backing up enough heat to keep the plenum warmed up. With after market heads and manifolds with no exhaust cross over do you guys have similar experiences and if so whats been your approach to keeping the carb from icing up. I understand the need to keep the fuel charge cold and dense but I'm thinking there might actually be some advantage to leaving the shield out in the absence of manifold heat. Your thoughts??