I was screwing around today and replaced my oil separator (broke into a bunch of pieces but I got it all out) and a couple of PCV hoses/hose clamps with new. 3 questions:

1 - After I tapped the plastic oil separator back in I think I put the spiral separator piece upside down in the tube. So the little piece that would normally stick up is facing down so there's nothing to grab with the needle noses next time I replace. Crap. Is that right and/or does the orientation of the plastic whirligig matter?

2 - I did notice when I had it out (tube and plastic separator) that it was very hard to blow through the thing, is that right?

3 - Also is the little metal tube for 99-02 4.0 avail as a spare part? Mine came pre-mangled.

 

1. Do the PCV mod instead of replacing the baffle. That makes your first question moot!
2. From memory, it should be relatively easy to blow through it. There's a deflector plate inside the rocker cover but that doesn't occlude the air flow much. You may need to pull the cover off and clean it out.
3. It's literally just a metal tube, so you should be able to pull it out and replace it with any piece that will push-fit back into the cover.

 

@nashvegas if you can not source one, or fix yours I have a 4.6 one I can send you.

 

I did the PCV mod and never look back. It is much easier to clean and replace as well. This works (example): https://www.ebay.com/itm/PCV-Valve-Standard-V288/274374360162

 

+100 for the PVC mod. I just cut the top off the tube and punched the baffle out. There is a little ridge at the top, cut a couple of millimeters below that.

 

The OEM baffle could be installed upside down. It's just a spiral piece of plastic. One side has a little nipple to just help in removal, but half the time that breaks off due to the plastic getting brittle over time. PCV mod is the way to go no doubt!

 

Well thanks all. Sounds like being upside down won't matter.

However ,I went and bought the PCV valve from Napa yesterday. So today I'll remove the tube, toss the baffle out, and replace the plastic fitting on the top of the intake with the new metal PCV valve.

Hate to waste new parts but I couldn't really blow thru my tube w/ baffle so it seems it's gotten jammed in a bit crooked. And I don't want to cause an issue I was trying to fix!