Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Hello, I have a question on the valve cover installation for a 1949 288. Is the baffle on the inside of the covers oriented up or down and what purpose to the serve? Is it for oil control to help oil the valves or to control oil splash?

Baffles go down and the purpose is to prevent as much oil as possible from being squirted out of the bleed hole by the lifters or just splashed on the covers and then running down the back of the covers to collect in the spaces -- particularly at the bottom -- between the block and the cover gasket. The baffle sort of guides the excess oil back toward the lifters so it can drip into the return troughs.

Thank you for your reply. I thought it was for oil control around the lifters but was not sure. It is always great to learn more about these great cars!