1973 C10 "The Purple Truck"

[76zimmer]

I really like cast aluminum valve coves on the old school sbc. You can crank em down a little more and get more even squish. I also have had good luck gluing the gasket to the valve cover, then installing them. My theory is often oil gets on top of the gasket, and creeps between it and the valve cover then weeps out. If that is glued that can't happen and the sealing surface is the bottom of the gasket to the head. Also makes it easy to remove them and re-install without needing new gaskets each time.

Thats what I use on the Vette….Edelbrock cast covers with a cork/rubber laminated gasket glued to the covers and a very light smear of white grease on the head side of the gasket to keep it from sticking to the porous cast iron head surface. Works great and once the gasket compresses to fit the head, its self aligning when reinstalling them.

 

[folkenheath]

I do the same thing on those with cast cover rails on the head, glue the gasket to the valve cover with ultra RTV.

If it has machined rails, then I buy the solid core polymer gaskets.

 

[mrk5]

I really like cast aluminum valve coves on the old school sbc. You can crank em down a little more and get more even squish. I also have had good luck gluing the gasket to the valve cover, then installing them. My theory is often oil gets on top of the gasket, and creeps between it and the valve cover then weeps out. If that is glued that can't happen and the sealing surface is the bottom of the gasket to the head. Also makes it easy to remove them and re-install without needing new gaskets each time.

I like cast aluminum valve covers as well. Both times I installed this engine I almost pulled the trigger on a pair. For now I'm using the long version spreaders.

I've always liked the slant edge covers, but I hate not having a proper oil fill hole.

 

[82355]

LT1 valve covers are my favorite.

Martin

 

[Fastereddie]

I like these corvette ones.

 

[mrk5]

I like these corvette ones.
View attachment 418267

Those are nice. Is that a factory part?

 

[Fastereddie]

Those are nice. Is that a factory part?

Yeah they came on the ‘87ish to 90ish vettes. Maybe. Later are center bolt. I think these may have come off of an ‘84 with crossfire injection. And they’re magnesium.

 

[6872xtc]

I like these corvette ones.
View attachment 418267

Aren't those what @82355 was referring to?

 

[Fastereddie]

Aren't those what @82355 was referring to?

Possibly. The lt1 would be the newer center bolt type maybe.

 

[folkenheath]

He's probably referring to the original LT1, not the 90s version or the 2014 version or whenever the last one came out.

 

[Bent77]

Regular 90s LT1 covers are stamped black junk. Nothing special

 

[82355]

Those are '84 L83 and '85-'86 L98 valve covers. I also like them, but I am referring to the 1970 LT1.

Martin

 

[82355]

The original LT1.



Martin

 

[tRustyK5]

I kinda like these...

 

[76zimmer]

I like these, but no oil fill….still had the fill tube in the intake manifold these years.

 

[mrk5]

Yes, I would definitely like the script Chevrolet covers but the lack of holes is an issue. I have the stamped steel versions on the 327 in the 66 and I really like them.

I like these, but no oil fill….still had the fill tube in the intake manifold these years.

Full tube and crankcase vent.

 

[mrk5]

I need to start improving the brakes. I'm planning to start with the master cylinder and brake booster. I have some questions I haven't been able to find answers to.

I've found some nice master/booster combos but the list them as "conversions" so I don't know if they will bolt on to a truck that already has power disc brakes.

The other question I have is if I can use a newer master/booster combo. I like the aluminum master with the plastic reservoir because it's easy to see the fluid level. I'm wondering if the pedal connection would work between the 73 pedal and the newer booster. Or would a newer master bolt to the older booster, assuming bore sizes are the same.

 

[imiceman44]

I need to start improving the brakes. I'm planning to start with the master cylinder and brake booster. I have some questions I haven't been able to find answers to.

I've found some nice master/booster combos but the list them as "conversions" so I don't know if they will bolt on to a truck that already has power disc brakes.

The other question I have is if I can use a newer master/booster combo. I like the aluminum master with the plastic reservoir because it's easy to see the fluid level. I'm wondering if the pedal connection would work between the 73 pedal and the newer booster. Or would a newer master bolt to the older booster, assuming bore sizes are the same.

I know my 74 k5 had a plastic reservoir that Dremu put in it but I don't know what year it came from. He also put one in the 76 chalet.
I would check the early years of that design, pretty sure it will fit.

As for the conversion ones, I got one for my 70 and it would work on many configurations including the stock power disc.
Mine was drums converted to 1972 front disc setup.

 

[Bent77]

Instead of starting one part at a time, why not consider the entirety of a system, upgrade so the parts are complimentary?

 

[mrk5]

Instead of starting one part at a time, why not consider the entirety of a system, upgrade so the parts are complimentary?

Mostly just thinking along the lines of spreading out costs over a couple of months. Phase 2 will be calipers, rotors, and hoses. But that is a good point, I should see how a kit compares to the cost of doing it piece-meal.