Anybody know how much of a pain it is to change valve covers on a pre '87 smallblock. The ones I have are stock and are pretty nasty looking and won't clean up. I just want to throw on a set of crome ones to dress it up a little........D2M4E.

 

Take ya about an hour....get a felpro gasket set..a little rtv, clean the surfaces off good, I use a light coating of RTV, Be careful not to over torque the covers...not sure on the spec. but its not much.

 

I just got a Chrome Dress-Up kit with valve covers. There are only 2 holes in them though; which means that i need to make one more...

Has anyone had experience with this? I need to make a hole for the oil fil, right now there are holes for the PCV & the other exhaust tube that runs to the air cleaner.

Thanks

 

Forming a hole for the oil filler is going to be a real trick. Since the edges of the hole are rolled and formed to create teh bayonet lock for the filler cap, you're going to have some real fun with that one. Sounds like you got some of those "Made in China" covers.

For replacement covers in general, check the height of the covers very closely. Stock covers have barely enough clearance for the rockers on a running engine. Some aftermarket covers are actually shorter, and cause rocker interference. Don't use any cover that is shorter than the stock ones.

 

To justify the made in china nessness, my girlfriend bought it for me for a present. She bought something for my car; that's step 1. Step 2 is getting her to buy american only

Thanks for the advice, i'll make sure the check the height closely.

 

thanks for the input guys...im sure i'll have alot fun ...D2M4E.