CK5
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Dumb valve cover question.
- Thread starter chalet2506
- Start date
4xcrazy
3/4 ton status
I made the mistake of buying some chrome covers for a car several years back, after i installed them, i realized i had no opening for the oil fill cap. I had to modify the breather vent so that the oil would flow through fast enough, otherwise it was taking all day to add oil.
As mentioned, need to make sure the surface of the covers if flat, i always use a light coating of high temp black RTV on the cover, apply the gasket to it and set it on the ground, gasket facing down for awhile until the RTV sets up, then use brake cleaner to clean the head surface real good with a rag, no oil contaminating the surface.
Install them, torque them down "wrist tight" and usually good to go.
As mentioned, need to make sure the surface of the covers if flat, i always use a light coating of high temp black RTV on the cover, apply the gasket to it and set it on the ground, gasket facing down for awhile until the RTV sets up, then use brake cleaner to clean the head surface real good with a rag, no oil contaminating the surface.
Install them, torque them down "wrist tight" and usually good to go.
Are your breathers full of oil now? Most guys that do that in dirt track end up will drippy breathers.
Seems like a pain to fill through the breather tube. I think I'll poke around and find a set with a filler cap.
texas4x4rebel
1/2 ton status
I bought this set from speedteck they were stamped with the two holes and it no big deal to fill through the holes just have to use a funnel that fits in one or the other. I also got the bolts and hold downs from pepboys and having the wide base helped with them not leaking. The key it to not over tighten them.
4xcrazy
3/4 ton status
nope, thet were removed and gotten rid of, got tired of dealing with them.
all i did to the breather hole on the covers was bend the little baffles inside a bit to allow the oil to flow through it alittle faster. The breather filter i had on there would get alittle oily over time, but nothing too nasty.
I think the covers without the oil holes were designed for the intakes with the oil fill tube that goes into the lifter valley, earlier style intake i guess.
michael0584
1/2 ton status
Drain backs in the head aren't plugged are they? That will make them leak even with good gaskets.
79rustyk10
3/4 ton status
Those stock valvecovers are made from something I would compare to tinfoil. Ive rarely seen them not soaked with oil. I would definitly use the cast aluminum ones. Should be easy enough to find ones with a fill hole.
I'm bringing this thread back to talk about baffles.
I found some of these Spectre valve covers for $40:
And picked up a can of:
To try to eliminate the valve cover leaks.
Since I run a vent and PCV system, I wanted to add some baffling. I was planning on fabricating something from plumbing parts, but found this cool product at O'Reileys, Mr. Gasket 5425 Baffled Grommets:
Anybody have any experience with them? They drop right into the 1 1/4" holes in the covers. I just glued some standard size PCV grommets into them.
I did want an oil fill, so I added another hole on one an put in one of these 710 caps:
Anybody have any love or hate for these push-in caps? I will have to report back on whether or not I have any problems.
I found some of these Spectre valve covers for $40:
And picked up a can of:
To try to eliminate the valve cover leaks.
Since I run a vent and PCV system, I wanted to add some baffling. I was planning on fabricating something from plumbing parts, but found this cool product at O'Reileys, Mr. Gasket 5425 Baffled Grommets:
Anybody have any experience with them? They drop right into the 1 1/4" holes in the covers. I just glued some standard size PCV grommets into them.
I did want an oil fill, so I added another hole on one an put in one of these 710 caps:
Anybody have any love or hate for these push-in caps? I will have to report back on whether or not I have any problems.
That 1 min gasket maker is the $***, i use it on tons of stuff and works great and seems to be alot in a can.
Im gonna get these from summit for $80. I think they look the best IMO.
Im gonna get these from summit for $80. I think they look the best IMO.
I've had good luck with stock valve covers,provided they aren't rusted thru!..use Fel-Pro rubber gaskets with RTV only on the valve cover side ,and dont torque them much more than finger tight after cleaning both the cover and head off good and you wont have leaks--be sure the flanges aren't warped,and using those load spreaders on the bolts is a good idea too..
I dislike aluminum or aftermarket steel valve covers due to the fact many only "look" good--they lack the baffles inside for directing the oil flow to the rocker arms,and block raw oil from getting into the PCV valve,and often lack an oil filler hole..I've bought a few good running trucks that smoked badly ,leading the owners to think the engine needed overhauling,when all that was "wrong" was the complete lack of a PCV valve or one installed in covers without a breather!....I stick with factory parts when possible due to things like this,the "go fast & chrome" stuff isn't always a good choice in the end...
I dislike aluminum or aftermarket steel valve covers due to the fact many only "look" good--they lack the baffles inside for directing the oil flow to the rocker arms,and block raw oil from getting into the PCV valve,and often lack an oil filler hole..I've bought a few good running trucks that smoked badly ,leading the owners to think the engine needed overhauling,when all that was "wrong" was the complete lack of a PCV valve or one installed in covers without a breather!....I stick with factory parts when possible due to things like this,the "go fast & chrome" stuff isn't always a good choice in the end...
Diesel Driver
1/2 ton status
dueling i have those elite series edelbrock covers on my dually and they are great no leaks.. i used felpro heavy duty cork gasket with arp valvecover studs.. and yes not over tightening is KEY.
Awesome, and they are a really good deal compared to some others. And ive heard the aluminum is better than the crome for heat disipation.
I use the Edelbrock valve covers. With the Edelbrock breather. I don't have any problems filling the oil at all.
The breather is on the left just out of view.
the PCV is right here.
I downloaded an image of my breather cap.
The breather is on the left just out of view. the PCV is right here. I downloaded an image of my breather cap.
Your truck is the reason im getting those ones. I saw them on your post before, and it was between those and some flat black with the red bowtie. But i like yours the best.
I can't take any credit for them. The PO put them on. The minor thing I don't like about them is the fake allen head bolts fall out. You can see in the pic that some are missing, some are loose but they all do nothing.
Yah i showed my dad them yesterday online (my 20th is in a month...) he goes, yup I bought the exact same pair 20 years ago, those are fake BTW lol.
Diesel Driver
1/2 ton status
iirc they come with a bag of extra fake allen heads haha. even they know they dont hold on for sh*t
You could always ching-up for a set of high-end valve cover gaskets from Fel-Pro
They are a rubber over a steel core, and are completely reusable. The idea is that the steel prevents you from overtorquing the cover bolts and the rubber gasket can "squish" just the right amount to form the seal.
About $40/set IIRC.... I installed a set on my BBC but haven't had a chance to test them yet. If they really work, it would be save a crapton of aggravation and you wouldn't need to keep buying cork gaskets and RTV.
They are a rubber over a steel core, and are completely reusable. The idea is that the steel prevents you from overtorquing the cover bolts and the rubber gasket can "squish" just the right amount to form the seal.
About $40/set IIRC.... I installed a set on my BBC but haven't had a chance to test them yet. If they really work, it would be save a crapton of aggravation and you wouldn't need to keep buying cork gaskets and RTV.
