Breather and valve covers question

[ytownxj]

I'm looking to buy new valve covers for my 318 and had a few questions about what will work. I notice the breather is connected to my air cleaner and have seen around this forum people with an air filter there or who have it closed off completely. Is it safe to close this off or do they have different year 318s that came this way (mines a 72)? Also, looking around at different valve covers for sale online they each seem to only one hole drilled into each cover... I'm assuming this is for the breather on one side and the PCV on the other. Where is the oil filler or do I not need a breather? I'm a little confused about this and any clarification would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Bad Sport]

For proper crankcase ventilation I am a firm believer in the vent on the passenger side, and the PCV on the other. What covers are you looking for/at? Some covers may appear to not have the vent hole on the passenger side cover but could very well have a knockout plate so you can add one.

 

[ytownxj]

I was just looking down ebay and the google shopping with 318 valve covers in the search. I'd really appreciate some suggestions on valve covers people run and like

 

[67Dart273]

I would absolutely NOT close off one side. At very high RPM, the engine may well have more blowby than the PCV can handle. This is precisely the reason the factory ones were connected to the air cleaner housing -- and is the way it should be done.

What I use on my "old" aluminum covers is a big breather / filler off a Fraud. 70's Mustang/ Galaxie, Etc 390 etc etc. It's a big breather that fits the "twist in" filler spot, has a grommet in the top, and breather filter material to keep oil from throwing out.

Like this, only I found one, years ago, that was chromed:

Hey, it's an original:

 

[rob_robinson87]

You could always chrome the factory ones.

 

[ytownxj]

I've seen some with a little air filter instead of being connected to the air cleaner again, does this limit the ventilation or is that a legitimate way to eliminate the hose to the air cleaner? Many aftermarket air cleaners don't have a nipple for that hose to connect to