I'm ordering a set of AFR 195's for my Z and I'm not going to get them drilled for centerbolt valve covers because I'm going to be using a stud girdle to keep the valvetrain in line. I'm going to need a pair of tall valve covers though and have been looking around for a nice set of polished ones....I'm having a hard time finding ones with PCV holes and an oil cap hole. I guess I'm a little confused about the PCV....would I either use a PCV or a breather valve? Or do they do the same thing?

Thanks, - Joel

 

But, you might find that a tall VC will touch on the alternator positive terminal. I had to get a set of GMs that have the top cut at an angle for clearance. I got them a www.SDPC2000.com
but I don't see them now.

correction.. here they be

http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...id=600&pid=796

 

I've got the TD performance ones from summit. They clear the alt. but if you use wide body rockers you need to clearence the posts for the bolts. If you get the narrow body rockers or keep your stock ones you'll have no problem fitting. They run about $120 from summit. Good luck and if I get a chance I'll take some pics for ya.

chris

 

I had the gm 'chevrolet' tall valve covers with oil baffles inside, cost around 45 bucks from summit. Look in the chrome section of the catalog.

 

Hey Thanks for the replies guys...I'm going to be running Comp Cams Pro Magnum 1.6RR's on the heads and I just have yet to decide on what stud girdle and the valve covers that will fit fine....I didn't even think about the alternatior bracket at all!

Thanks guys!

 

I'm planning on running pro mag 1.6s too. I called up comp cams awhile back and they recommended there #4009 stud girdle for me. It's the solid bar design for 7/16th studs. I just recently bought a kit for it off ebay. I still need to pick up my heads from shop, and buy covers and rr's too.

As for the PCV I actually did a little reading on that yesturday out of my Demon Carb book. PCV is used to release pressure that builds up from the pistons. They say if you don't run a PCV or Breather it can build up enough pressure in the oil pan to blow out a seal or the pan gasket. They also went into the detail between the two designs. PCV does great job of pulling pressure out except at WOT. At WOT the book said the motor doesn't have enough vacuum to properly open the valve, so pressure can build. They continued on and said that it wasn't a big problem on street cars since they don't see WOT for extended amounts of time, but it would be a problem for a race car since they run WOT for extended amounts of time. They also said breathers were against local and federal laws on emission controlled cars (sounds kind of funny considering people here in IL run them all time... don't know about that).

I've seen many decussions on the board about how PCV valves are superior to breathers. I guess since I'm going carb I probably just put a breather on and to heck with it.

Anyone else want to try to shed some light on this subject. All I know is what I read... who knows if that is even correct.

 

Fireturd,
That's some excellent info on PCV's vs. Breathers. Thanks! It seems to me that sticking with a PCV would be the way to go then. I've got the AFR's on order and I've got the Pro Magnum (or as TRAXION would say Cromagnum 1.6RR's for 7/16th studs here. I was looking at the Com Cams girdle and the Crower girdles....they both look good. I've seen a few designs around. I haven't decided on which design is best yet...I've seen the ones where it's a solid bar split in half and the two bars surround the RR's and bolt together, and then I've seen the ones where you have one half of the bar and then on the other side you bolt on sections that group 2 RR's together (so you have 4 sets of smaller bars that bolt the RR's in)....if that makes sense.

Now I guess I've gotta do some searching around and find a valve cover set that covers the following:
perimeter bolt holes
tall with clearance for the stud girdle I choose
won't interfere with the alternator
is polished aluminum and looks cool
has holes for PCV

I guess I've gotta start a thread asking to see everyone's tall valve covers

- Joel

 

I got the tall covers on my 90, The same alternator - belt set up. I use the PCV hole to fill the engine. It has both PCV and breather holes in them. And I have early model heads on it too..

Best answer is Reclock the alternator to put the connector in the upward position. I think I extended the wires that hook into the side too. Not sure but it is all hard wired if I did.

Just keep a few extra gromets around so you have a plyable one that will pop in and out easy with out coming apart. As much money as is involved in our cars gromets are next to nothing.

Lastly, Just because they are tall doesn't mean they clear the girdles.. Watch for that on the boxes or in the application data on line...

Here is a pic...

 

i have a sweet looking set of Edelbrock Signature series, they are the short ones, they have the holes for the oil cap and the hole for the PCV valve. they were like 40$ bucks at B&B auto. good luck, oh and they also coem in the tall version.

 

they have the holes for the oil cap and the hole for the PCV valve.

Squeeks83, Are you using a free flow on the other side for crankcase vent ?

 

well i dont quite know what you mean, but my setup with the covers is 2 mini breathers, no oil cap or PCV valve.

 

Actually that is a freeflow on both sides.