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As soon as you started the engine up you'd want your money back, as the oil splashed on them would obscure any view of the valvetrain.
In addition unless your rockes say Jesel or T&D on them they ain't worth seein anyway...
Originally posted by jrg77 As soon as you started the engine up you'd want your money back, as the oil splashed on them would obscure any view of the valvetrain.
In addition unless your rockes say Jesel or T&D on them they ain't worth seein anyway...
Maybe not! I still think they would be cool--at least I'd know they were oiling! They would definaely be a topic of discussion at the Sat night car shows/meets!!!
Originally posted by jrg77 As soon as you started the engine up you'd want your money back, as the oil splashed on them would obscure any view of the valvetrain.
Not true. I start up engines all the time with the valve covers off. As logn as its JUST idling it wont be shooting all over gods green earth.
Originally posted by jrg77 Forgive me, but function should always be preferenced before form.
Yes, and the function of the rocker covers is to keep the oil in. I wouldn't want them, personally, but it doesn't seem like they would fail to meet that objective just because they were clear.
It's a show car item, you know those engines that have 6K+ in them and will never see oil. A few heat cycles with splashing oil will make them turn completly white. Yea they would look
__________________ 1976 SWB C10 3/4 drop, gen VI 454/M3.
1973 Buick Apollo wifes play car. Chevy 383/S3.
Originally posted by Apeiron Yes, and the function of the rocker covers is to keep the oil in. I wouldn't want them, personally, but it doesn't seem like they would fail to meet that objective just because they were clear.
Originally posted by SSC A few heat cycles with splashing oil will make them turn completly white.
I disagree--if the correct type of plastic is used the temps that oil get to (even if your car overheated) will not cloud them. That I know for a fact! Which type of plastic--I do not know--I'm not a metalurgist, or in this case I guess that would be plasticurgist!
I've seen them for sale before. I can't remember where but i saw them a couple of time. Look in race car catologs and search the web, or ebay. Nothings to hard to find these days !
But they are pretty expensive $100+
__________________ LT1 headed LG4 305 beast! Comp Solid lifter XS-262-10S, 1.6 Roller Rockers, 10.2:1, Holley 4160 600cfm, modded Weiand 7502 intake to fit LT1 heads____ Custom cylinder head cooling. Weiand 8208 Short Water Pump____TH-350 3 series 3.73 with 2 series posi and spacer____ Hedman Hedders 1 5/8 headers and Y-pipe 3in Exhaust, Dynomax 3" Bullet muffler ____Moroso Ultra 40 Wires ACCEL HEI Super Coil ____Competition Engineering 3120 Bolt-on SFC's____Homemade: Wonderbar, solid tie rod sleeves, Aluminum LCA and Panhard Rod with spherical rod ends, alternator and PS bracket, Strut tower brace, and Decoupling torque arm with telescoping link.
3000lbs
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Originally posted by ME Leigh I've seen them for sale before. I can't remember where but i saw them a couple of time. Look in race car catologs and search the web, or ebay. Nothings to hard to find these days !
But they are pretty expensive $100+
100.00 is not all that expensive, considering the price of some of the hand formed alum. are in the 300.00 range.
You would like to see what's under my valve covers but I wouldn't spend the money on clear covers. The plastic will turn white after it's been cooked by the oil and you'll never see what's under the covers while the engine has been running for a while. For the inside of the covers to be perfectly clean for display, you're still going to have to remove them to clean them right up. Oil residue will always be stuck on the inside.
There's always the chance of the plastic cracking and causing a leak.
I suppose you'd want some neon lights on the inside also?
__________________
Hardtail Racing
All engine, no power adders! Bests: 9.029@150.45 (at altitude)
Theoretical sea level performance 8.623@157.05
Probably not the best way to handle your comeback "Bite me" , but I agree that this item would work. I have used many composite covers, noteably the ones from comp cams, and many OEMs use alot of plastic in the newer engines. As far as the oil depositing onto the covers, I have no idea what you guys are using for oil or how long you are waiting to change your oil, but when I remove my valve covers they do not have oil or deposits on the inside of them. I have seen the clear plastic valve covers and differential covers, I personally think they are pretty neat, and a good idea. I wouldn't mind being able to inspect my valvetrain after a high RPM blast down the strip, without having to touch one bolt.
Originally posted by DAVECS1 As far as the oil depositing onto the covers, I have no idea what you guys are using for oil or how long you are waiting to change your oil, but when I remove my valve covers they do not have oil or deposits on the inside of them. I have seen the clear plastic valve covers and differential covers, I personally think they are pretty neat, and a good idea. I wouldn't mind being able to inspect my valvetrain after a high RPM blast down the strip, without having to touch one bolt.
Personally, I change the oil when it starts getting darker regardless of how many miles it has been. I don't know what some "other" people do, but having raced drag cars as well as several sucessful years racing circle track car ( including one year as crew chief on a local season points winning sprint car) changing oil at a time or mileage interval is about the stupidest concept I have ever heard. When it gets dirty--IT'S TIME TO CHANGE IT! I don't have all the time and money in my IROC so I can abuse it.
__________________ Hindsight is 20/20--That's why they don't make glasses to fit your butt!
Craig Landry
Zap Racing
South Central Board moderator
Last edited by Zap Racing; 05-05-2005 at 11:18 AM.
Someone must not understand the purpose of valve covers. They're just going to get really really dirty, really fast. It's honestly the dumbest idea you can waste money on. If you're going to use it to see what color your oil is, wow just use the dipstick.
Originally posted by Zap Racing I disagree--if the correct type of plastic is used the temps that oil get to (even if your car overheated) will not cloud them. That I know for a fact! Which type of plastic--I do not know--I'm not a metalurgist, or in this case I guess that would be plasticurgist!
Well for a fact the one on the market do turn white if used on a engine that runs same as the clear distributor cap which doesent see oil at all. There a hose place across from our shop, the guy does hyd crap for low riders thats where Ive seen the clear VC and what happens to them. I dont think there is a material out there that would hold up in this situation. Of course we could hold out for transparent aluminum.
__________________ 1976 SWB C10 3/4 drop, gen VI 454/M3.
1973 Buick Apollo wifes play car. Chevy 383/S3.
Originally posted by Token Someone must not understand the purpose of valve covers. They're just going to get really really dirty, really fast. It's honestly the dumbest idea you can waste money on. If you're going to use it to see what color your oil is, wow just use the dipstick.
Well, everybody IS entitled to their own personal opinion!
Yea I guess checking all the retainers and lockdowns on your roller rockers after turning 6000-6500 rpm for an extended amount of time, would be useless. The term "Plastic" I think may be confusing people. What could be used is a poly class filled resin impregnated with silicon (the same stuff that is on your spark plug wires and seals). No it is not transparent aluminum, but it is very strong and heat resistant, and if you look at some of your sensors, you can touch it first hand. We actually use a clear resin when we are testing sensors on prove design machines and such, so we can check for moisture entry problems and what not.
I guess to throw some fuel on the fire, honestly the dumbest thing you can waste money on is the TORNADO or Leaf blower supercharger. It is my opinion clear valve covers have much more merit than those things. As far as the valve covers getting dirty, that is a personal hygiene thing. My valve covers stay VERY VERY VERY clean!
Originally posted by Zap Racing Personally, I change the oil when it starts getting darker regardless of how many miles it has been. I don't know what some "other" people do, but having raced drag cars as well as several sucessful years racing circle track car ( including one year as crew chief on a local season points winning sprint car) changing oil at a time or mileage interval is about the stupidest concept I have ever heard. When it gets dirty--IT'S TIME TO CHANGE IT! I don't have all the time and money in my IROC so I can abuse it.
Its not the dirt in the oil that the problem. Its the acid buildup, which is a product of the combustion process that is. This is why synthetic oils are better, they tend not to get ruined by the combustion process as fast.
Its a good idea to change your oil every 3 months anyway regardless of mileage to get rid of the destructive chemicals and acids now in the oil.
Hello,
I've had these valve covers on my 56 Chevy since 1996 which I made.
Not sure if pictures showed. New to posting pictures. www.jandjengineeringinc.com
thanks
TOKEN,
Not sure how to highlight your post ???
"Someone must not understand the purpose of valve covers. They're just going to get really really dirty, really fast. It's honestly the dumbest idea you can waste money on. If you're going to use it to see what color your oil is, wow just use the dipstick."
I can always be sure oil is trickling out of push rods for comfort.
Couple of years ago , covers became cloudy even though dipstick was clean.
Turned out my intake manifold was loose from rear bolts and coolant was seeping through. Tightened them up , changed oil and all is good. I made them for cosmetic reasons but there have been advantages.
thanks
Javy56
Javy...I really like those! I can see many advantages to being able to see the valve train without having to pull the covers. I think completely clear valve covers would be a little too much, but that window is a great idea.
I have a set of valve covers that I ran on my dirt track car that has a removable panel right where your clear window is. It makes valve lash adjustment and valve checks really easy between races. I may look into changing the panel out for a removable window.
sadly Craig, or Zap Racing as he was know here is no longer with us.
if you had only came here a few years sooner JAVY, im sure Craig would have loved to see your motor with those valve covers on it.
sadly Craig, or Zap Racing as he was know here is no longer with us.
if you had only came here a few years sooner JAVY, im sure Craig would have loved to see your motor with those valve covers on it.
