You are correct, the PCV was the first real emissions control device for reducing hydrocarbon emissions.
Open crankcase / open breather is old school, and it's still found today on many modern diesels. When the engine goes WOT and pulls power, the blow-by rates reach maximum and that's when those gases need to escape as freely as possible. Usually a large free flowing breather or a pair of breathers is adequate.
Running your crankcase "closed breather" like stock will work, just be prepared to find oil carryover in your intercooler and in intake manifold. Alky will help to wash it down some but not for the intercooler. No big deal, just clean it out when you want to. The system will also be sensitive to turbo air inlet restriction. High restriction will help to pull the crankcase gases through and will beneficially reduce crankcase pressure, but it's also generally bad for power / performance. Run with very low inlet restriction that most of us strive for, and the system won't really pull the crankcase pressure down much and your external leaks may persist pretty much the same way they are now.
