Valve covers

Slyclone

Slyclone

Well-known member
I have a set of valve covers I am messing around with. I have seen a few different types and styles out there for the center bolt applications. I finally scored a decent set.

My first encounter with the covers was the alternator support bracket. I am not sure if the whole thing is required to be removed but I am not having luck with just mocking them up. The valve covers are designed different so I would assume the should work and clear?

Second issue is the back area brake booster. It is tighter than a bulls a$$. I can get the cover on with out the GM orange rubber gasket, but with it I can not get it to manage to set or clear a rocker arm. I am wondering what type or style gasket is best for the side that Is very tight. It is very tight against the brake booster

Just looking for a second opinion or some one else's imput

Thanks
 
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Sean Krupa

Sean Krupa

Moderator
Re: Valve covers

I'm curious on this as well. I have what looks like the same Valve covers I'm working on Polishing, and test fit them without the gasket. Haven't tried them with the gaskets yet..
 
abes_sy

abes_sy

SY #2995
Re: Valve covers

I am using the blue felpro rubber gaskets on mine and had no clearance issues but I also use solid motor mounts not sure but I think it lowers the engine in the frame a little. Enough to were I have no issues with clearance at the brake booster but they do touch the ac evaporator housing on the passenger side.
 
Quickstop [UK]

Quickstop [UK]

Combating adversyty.
Re: Valve covers

Yup, they look tight. Not sure a thin little gasket is going to make much of a difference. You could try gluing to the cover so it stays on but that may not work. Those covers looks huge - unnecessarily so. Do they have internal baffles? I took the baffles out of my stockers and life got a bit easier.

You also have the option of removing the brake booster and using hydroboost. That frees up a lot of space. Are they vortec heads? If so, sell the covers and get the stock vorteccovers:

cheap
get some money back
They are smaller and definitely clear
They grip the gasket
They won't get scratched to shit on install

:2cents:

I tried to make my stock valve covers work and eventually went to vortec. Wish I did it a long time ago.
 
Slyclone

Slyclone

Well-known member
Re: Valve covers

Sean, have you had the chance to mock anything up and do any dry test fitments? I tried for a little bit and gave in. Like mention I had a real hard time with driver side. I was told they fit with all acc. in place..Have you had any issues at all? I also do not have the trans or t case in. Everything is pretty much completely out of the truck.

I am wondering if the difference is solid motor mounts vs. rubbers. I know sean has solids, and abe sounds like your running them with no issues on solids?

I was thinking about the "blue fel-pro" gaskets, as well as the cork ones. I wanted something that would smush or compress during tightening. I know some thin little thing is not going to be much help. I want something consistant all the way around the valve cover as I *think* I may have pinched one on my last build and had a hell-ova leak I could not nail down.

Mark- I feel your pain. The look is killer, but it does take a little beating on fitment. Some day I will end up doing the heads. This time When I ripped the truck down I was going to be doing a cam and the heads but I bailed out of it. I had it down and was ready to do the cam, and changed my mind and helpd out some one else.
 
Slyclone

Slyclone

Well-known member
Re: Valve covers

Might sell these valve cover standing here thinking about it now..

More stuff I am up against with fitment that I do not like.

Coil/map bracketry. Not sure If these are what I want.
 
Sean Krupa

Sean Krupa

Moderator
Re: Valve covers

I didn't think about the Coil/Map brackets :roll:. Found out the Pass side cover hits the Heater box, so I will be heating it up and pushing it in a tad. The drivers side I have about 3/4" inch before it touches the brake booster so I'm good there. But, I have to trim the Black bracket that goes from the Power steering pump to alternator so it clears the corner of the Valve cover.

The struggles of making things Bling haha.
 
Z SKI

Z SKI

Donating Member
Re: Valve covers

Slyclone said:
Coil/map bracketry.
Click to expand...

Sean Krupa said:
I didn't think about the Coil/Map brackets :roll:. .
Click to expand...

Ask and ye shall receive...

Here is a for sale ad (http://www.syty.net/forums/showpost.php?p=1054647&postcount=1) that shows the coil spacer that I made so the stock coil can be used with larger valve covers.. It worked on my RPM covers and may work on yours... Let me know if either of you want to try it.. Pay for the shipping and I will send the spacer to you... If it works and you like it, shoot a donation to syty.net..

See ya,
 
Slyclone

Slyclone

Well-known member
Re: Valve covers

Paul, I might consider the Alum. Spacer. the thing is I looked and looked through your threads and could not see the part used... or a example to see how it looks. With these tall covers they really limit space and complicate things further. As if the engine bay was not already corked enough!

Sean, Do not heat anything up or push it in. I can not tell but are your covers the same? like Notched? I can only see the driver side is notched and the passanger side I cant tell... but what I am getting at is yesterday I messed around for a little bit and I was able to get the passanger side on with out any fuss or clearance issues. I did have it on and it was making a light contact at the back and did scuff my heater box. After thinking about... I put a hour in and un-bolted the passanger side and flipped it with the Notch towards the back. No contact at all.

I was on the fence about these, but with a little more time and the right gasket I should have driver side on. I really hate to say it but it looks like I may need to shave or file the NUB on the booster ever so slightly to minimize contact. The cover does have a small wear in the same area that looks like it could be from very violent launches.
 
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