I just bought some proform valve covers for my 305, and its for up to 86 year models, but I just now noticed there is NO PLACE FOR A OIL CAP! ITs got the PCV valve and breather cap grommetts but NO OIL HOLE. HOLY CRAP THEY CAN'T EXPECT YOU TO PUR YOUR OIL IN THROUGH YOUR DIPSTICK TUBE, CAN THEY!?!?!?!?!?!??!??!?!?!?!?!?!

 

take out the PCV valve and pour it in there via a funnel i guess

 

Thats what I do.

Oil filler hole, breather, or PCV, either way, you're pouring oil down onto the rocker arms and it drains through the drain back holes to the pan.

 

Well, I thought about that too, but jeez, seems like it will take a while to pour the oil in through one of them small holes. They got baffles right under them, so its even more restricted. Oh well, guess that's the price you pay if you want to look good. lol.:lala:

 

lol thats what i did on my 83 z with aftermarket valve covers... you take the breather out and dump it in there

 

Welcome to the world of non-factory parts.

And just what was the purpose of changing them out anyway....?....?

This is the kind of thing that nobody really seems to notice until it's too late.

But, it's not too bad; you just have to put the oil in real slow, through the PCV or the clean air grommets.

 

"And just what was the purpose of changing them out anyway....?....? "


Well, that would be because I like the style of them.

 

Ditto. Thats what I do and a bunch of guys for that matter.

 

My point exactly.... kind of like women who wear shoes that cripple them permanently by deforming their foot bones, because "they like the style".

IMO, more logical and sensible reasons should be used to pick parts.

 

Ok, tell me what "logical" resons there are to buying something as elementary as valve covers. There is none, other than LOOKS. Valve covers have no effect on engine performance, so why else would you buy them? Like I said, I simply liked the style of them.

 

Well actually, deep finned covers can shed heat, and die cast covers can quiet valve train noise (just like plastic covers), and tall covers can permit the use of larger roller rockers and/or valve spring cooling oil manifolds. But covers with no oil fill hole are likely designed for mid-'60s SBCs that had an oil fill through the intake manifold. Apparently, the Taiwanese haven't discovered that subtle distinction just yet, and are mixing designs for various years.

Incidentally, 1986 models still used perimeter bolts for retention, and 1987 (non-Corvette) and up used center bolts - another thing apparently missed in the Orient.

Aside from the rather inconvenient problem of filling oil through the PCV hole. there should be no other operational problems with them, other than the fact that they are probably heavier than the covers they replaced. If you ever want to shed some dead weight, you know where to start.

 

I'm kinda partial to the looks of those proform valve covers myself. Too bad about the filler hole problem.
I wanted to suggest getting a grommet style of filler cap, I'm pretty sure I've see them but I cant remember where. You could find one if you look around tho. Then just get a hole saw that's the right size and put a hole in there wherever it looks good, and off ya go.

edit: Jegs has the stuff... 1 1/4" grommet and push in oil cap.