I'd say that Ben (big_news_1) has it exactly right. -do the test procedure he explained, and go from there.

I also agree with the suspicion that a lot of springs have gotten lost. (-and O-rings too)

And just to add a little more excitement to the mix, here'* a link to step by step instructions with pictures for a 1997 GP GT;

http://macgp.clubgp.com/howto/engine/pcv/gt/pcv.html

And yes there is a spring!!!

Cheers,

Hey GOOD JOB, Foghorn.. -a lot of people should find thier answers right there in the pictures.

(-I just wish that the picture of re-installing the cover assembly would have clearly shown the spring still attached to the cover.)

Hundreds, if not thousands of people should thank you

I changed mine a few weeks ago and it did have a spring.
And I found this in my Chilton'* book:
To install:
It also mentions a spring for VIN 3, B, C and L engines.

this is all really good stuff to know, i'm glad i've gone through this procedure. it seems that this pcv stuff isn't very common knowledge in parts stores either. when i did the replacement a couple weeks ago my original intent was to get the O rings only (the big one and the little one). it turns out nobody at o'reilly'* or at the delco store knew which rings to give me or what they were for. that'* why i had to buy the whole pcv kit, which is the only reason i found out about the spring . then the guy who sold me the kit couldn't give me a very definitive answer about the spring either... long story short, it'* nice to have such a large knowledge base here! thanks guys.