These are all of the parts required to make your own oil catch can.
(2) 2" ABS end caps (5817) Home Depot
(1) piece of 2" ABS pipe (2 1/4" long) Home Depot.
(2) 5/16 HB X 1/8 MPT Barbs.
(2) 5/16 HB X 1/4 MPT Barbs.
(2) 1/8 Elbows (90*).
(1) Clear plastic tube 1/4 ID.
(2) Nylon spacers.
(1) Baffle plate 2 1/4 x1 7/8.
(1) Piece of foam.
(1) Mounting bracket 3/4 x4 1/2 (cut from 1/8 aluminum plate).
3ft 5/16 ID (Thick wall) hose.
All of the other parts were purchased from ACE HARDWARE.
(Home Depot does not have those 5/16 fittings).


Step 2



Special tools needed
1/4 18 NPT Tap= 7/16 drill bit
1/8 27 NPT Tap=21/64 drill bit
Plus the obvious wrenches and screwdrivers.

Step 3



Start by cleaning up the ABS plastic, Ex.(numbers letters barcode etc.)
measure 5/8 out from the center of the end cap (left & right) and drill two
pilot holes, gradually enlage the holes to 7/16 then use the 1/4 18 tap.
Drive the tap in a little at a time, removing it to check the fit of the
5/16 x 1/4 barb (if you drive the tap all the way to the large end the hole
will be to big and the fitting to loose.)


Step 4


Next dead center between those two holes but on the side of the end cap
and 3/8" down from the top edge drill a pilot hole, enlarge this hole to 21/64 then use the 1/8 27 tap (same procedure as above) a little at a time checking the fit of the 5/16 x 1/8 barb.

Step 5


180* across the top of the end cap and also on the side and 3/8 down from the top edge drill a 3/16 mounting hole.


Step 6
Follow the same procedure as in step 4 for the lower end cap with the exception of the mounting hole make that hole 5/32.
Step 7


There are 3 holes in the mounting bracket the hole on the left is 3/8" from
the end of the bracket to the center of the hole (hole is 3/16.) The distance
to the center of the countersunk hole is 2 7/8 (also 3/16 hole.) The 3rd
hole center is 1/2" from the right edge of the bracket, (this hole is 1/4")
and mounts the unit to the car.

Step 8


The two little nylon spacers are cut from a longer spacer, they are used
between the mounting bracket and the catch can. I used a 1/2" round
file to dish one end of each spacer to fit the contour of each end cap.

Step 9


The baffle plate is fashiond from a piece of thin ga. galvanized plate 2 1/4 x 1 7/8
and a 3/16 mounting hole.

Step 10



Now the fun part: Take one of the 5/16 HB X 1/8 MPT barbs and with the help of a hacksaw cut off the barb part of the fitting (right next to the hex)Position the barb piece inside one of the 1/8 elbows I use a 100 watt iron to solder the barb to the elbow. (There should only be a couple of barbs showing) as in the picture, If you do not do this the clear plastic sight tube will not be in the in the correct position. (The device would be half full oil before you would know it.)

Step 11
Now assemble it, Press the 2 1/4 sleeve into the LOWER end cap (up to the shoulder inside the end cap) put 2 or 3 drops of super glue between these two pieces (you do not want these two coming apart, now attach the modified elbow to the LOWER end cap (make sure the barb is facing up and perfectly vertical. Now screw the two 5/16 HB X 1/4 MPT barbs into the UPPER end cap.

Step 12

Cut 2 barbs of off the other 5/16 HB X 1/8 MPT fitting (its to long) then screw it into the remaining elbow and attach the assembly to the upper end cap. once again making sure that the barb is perfectly vertical.

Step 13

Using a 1/8 x 3/4 machine thread screw (countersunk head) attach the mounting bracket to the upper end cap, do not forget the nylon spacer between the bracket and the end cap. Then on the inside of the end cap attach the baffle plate and the appropriate nut.

Step 14

Put a piece of foam in the bottom of the lower end cap, cut a piece of clear
plastic tube 1/4 ID 1 7/16 long push it onto the upper barb. Now put the two halves together (make sure the sight tube and fittings are perfectly vertical) use a #8 x 3/4 sheet metal screw thru the bracket the other nylon spacer and into the lower end cap.



This is what it should look like. The parts cost me less than $20.



THE END RESULT.

 

I like it.
Thank you for the post.

 

Come on we need details

How much did it all cost you

 

You can't just stop there!!

Price list?
DIY step by step instructions?
Difficulties you encountered while doing it?
Noticable difference?

((are you catching on that I want to do it to?))

Looks awesome, can't wait to hear more!

 

Lotus87,

Can you restore your pix in the instructions? I only see the end result (all the other pix are red Xs.)

Thanks.

 

Pix.Restored.

 

Looks nice. How do you drain it?

 

Only change I would recommend would be to change the location of the lower view tube elbow. I would fit it to the bottom of the can so you could disconnect it and use it for a drain tube a la the Alta can. But it is a great idea!

 

I thought about that, but then realized, that would present a mounting problem.

 

By removing it, then remove the lower bracket screw, pull the two halves apart, drain it, clean it, reassemble it, install it.

 

I don't have a problem with my Alta. And it is even a bit taller that yours.