KR81

Did a search and couldn't find the answer I'm after. On my 88 Trans Am, the valve cover on the left has just the pcv and the cover on the right has the oil filler and breather, problem is all the smog pump crap sits right on top of the oil filler meaning its useless and I can't use it to fill the oil.
My question is can the covers be swapped so the oil filler is on the left side ? I see different numbers stamped in them leading me to believe they're two different parts but I see a lot of 3rd gen tpi's with oil filler on the left, I know it'll be closer to the firewall than to the front of the car with still a bit of stuff in the way but it'll still be easier to access than where it is now.

aliceempire

iTrader: (14)

Yes

TransamGTA350

iTrader: (2)

Yes, sounds like someone swapped them. The cover with the filler and PCV should be on the driver side. Breather on the passenger side.

KR81

Problem I get is I just cannot get the cover with oil and pcv/ breather hole to fit on the left side head, it just won't sit flat, sits slightly above the top of the head and rocks a little from side to side and that's with the rockers removed, with them installed I have close to an inch gap.

aliceempire

iTrader: (14)

Not sure what would be in the way. There's zero difference between a left and right cylinder head.

KR81

Well after a fair bit of playing around
I got it to sit flat, no idea what was holding it back but that's still without the rockers reinstalled, be interesting to see what happens when they're back in.

SKFengineer

This was two months ago so maybe you figured things out since then but be aware there is a "top and bottom" to the valve covers. Meaning the center hold down bolts aren't exactly in the center... There is a fair bit of wiggling but they should drop in giving a clear feeling they are tight against the head. Your next magic trick will be getting the valve cover gaskets to not pop out of the rails as you flip them over and install them. I use a little piece of painters tape in the corners that I can slide out once everything is installed but clearly before I make everything tight,

Back to your initial question my valve covers and oil fill location look just like AliceEmpire minus the fancy blue paint.

KR81

Thanks for the info! I did actually get it sorted and it did appear that at some point someone had just put them on the wrong sides. Mine are now also like in AliceEmpire's pic but with fancy red paint 😄

SKFengineer

That's funny I looking at your picture and I thought I guess his phone reversed the picture because the brake MC and A/C were on the wrong side but then I realized everything on your motor was on the "right" side. I'm like, what is this thing in Australia, I look up and what to you know... Hello from the other side of the world.

I need to get my act together I just have the standard silver painted valve covers. I'm stuck in the stone ages. Glad you got it sorted.

KR81

😆😆😆