Breater pipe questions

[J. Huber]

A few quick ones. I understand that the original two piece all-metal breather hose was replaced by a plastic unit. Is the plastic part threaded into the valve cover, or is there a connector of some sort?

Second, and the most pressing at the moment, on the original breather pipe, there is a large bolt that holds the pipe on the valve cover. I notice it has two large holes -- does it matter how these holes are oriented when the bolt is secured. I watched where mine ended up and the holes are not aligned with the breather pipe -- should they be? And there are two washers on this bolt, do they ever need replacing?

[66andBlue]

James,
according to the parts book there should be only one hole in the cover for the bolt (#61) that holds the pipe (#60).
Later cars have a rubber elbow that connects to the pipe.
Can you post a picture of the two holes in your valve cover?

Added:
James, do you mean two holes in the bolt or in the cover?
If you are talking about the bolt ("banjo bolt") then I believe it should not matter since the collar at the end of the pipe has a grove that encircles the bolt.

[J. Huber]

Hi Alfred. I think I explained it wrong -- yes there is only one hole in the valve cover -- it receives a bolt that essentially holds the breather pipe in place...However, the bolt itself has holes on the shaft above the threads... The holes are about 1/8 inch in diameter and are at about 12 and 2 o'clock (looking down at the bolt). I just wonder if one of the holes must face the tube shaft or if it doesn't matter... make any more sense? I'll remove and snap a pic tomorrow.

[66andBlue]

Our replies crossed the ether at the same time.

[J. Huber]

Aha. So am I describing a Banjo bolt? Sounds like it. If so, forget the pics!

So I just "googled" Banjo Bolt -- pretty much it. And I didn't even know my car was musical... Thanks Alfred.

What purpose do the holes serve anyway?

[graphic66]

The banjo bolt is hollow to allow gasses to pass up and to the banjo fitting. The holes are drilled into the hollow part and they don't need to line up to the banjo fitting, except for up and down. The banjo fitting has a hollow cavity all around to let the gasses escape through the banjo bolt into the banjo fitting into the breather pipe and into the air cleaner to be re burnt in the cylinders. Just blow into the breather pipe towards the valve cover after it is together, if air is blowing into the valve cover you are OK.