Engine dress up questions

[Chadly]

I want to get some chrome valve covers and air cleaner but have some questions.

For the air cleaner, i have a bunch of vacuum lines on the stock one, not sure where they would hook up on the new one. One is a big tube that goes to the valve cover, i'm guessing its a breather? Just not sure if the new air filter housing will have a vac port for me to tap into.

Will new valve covers have a spot for PCV ? Anything special I need to look for? Its an 82 Jimmy with 350.

 

[76zimmer]

We could use more info. on the parts your getting. Or even a few pics....Often the valve covers will need to be "adapted" to fit a particular engine (yours)
And they are often generic parts without a specific application.

 

[-stew-]

The money would be much better spent on functional items like tune-up parts, tie rods, brakes, gallons of gasoline. Don't waste the money, player. Just drive that bitch.

 

[76zimmer]

If you could look at your diagram on the radiator support that would give you an idea of what all those hoses go to. Perhaps it is still there, it should be a vacuum hose routing map. Perhaps alot of those things have been disabled already too. You might have to adapt the exisiting stock air cleaner vacuum controls to your new air cleaner base.

 

[-stew-]

If you do decide to waste your hard earned money on putting lipstick on the pig under your hood, buy aluminum valve covers and good Fel-Pro reusable gaskets. Or. You. Will. Have. Leaks.

 

[AZ79K5Project]

As far as PCV - make sure whatever valve covers you get are baffled for the PCV. I put a set on that didn't have decent baffles. The PCV sucked oil through the intake and it blew smoke. I originally replaced mine B/C it looked like the previous owner took a hammer to the stock ones.

 

[jms]

If you do decide to waste your hard earned money on putting lipstick on the pig under your hood, buy aluminum valve covers and good Fel-Pro reusable gaskets. Or. You. Will. Have. Leaks.

Sound advice from a newbie right there.

 

[-stew-]

Sound advice from a newbie right there.

Because the guy who doesn't know what to do with the thermal vacuum switch for the heat riser is gonna do well sealing Chinese tin valve covers with cork gaskets.


No offense OP, I'm just trying to help you learn from my mistakes. Search the Auto Parts listings on Craigslist everyday. That's an awesome place to scrounge up some deals on parts, used and new.


Maybe JMS will chime in with something helpful rather than talking smack.

 

[-stew-]

Will new valve covers have a spot for PCV ? Anything special I need to look for? Its an 82 Jimmy with 350.

Just noticed this. Make sure what every valve covers you buy are for an '86 and OLDER small block Chevy. They changed the design on the heads on '87 and newer small blocks and the VC's will not interchange.

 

[jms]

...Maybe JMS will chime in with something helpful rather than talking smack.

No, I won't. Doesn't look like you need any help with regard to talking smack.

 

[-stew-]

No, I won't. Doesn't look like you need any help with regard to talking smack.

What was the point of your original poast?

 

[Chadly]

It has a full tune up, plugs, wires, cap, fuel filter, oil change, pcv, tranny serviced, etc... Its not a waste of money if it makes me happy. I like things to look as good as they run. So thanks to those who helped.

 

[76zimmer]

you do what you gotta do Chadly....if everyone built there junk the same how boring.

 

[chulisohombre]

most parts stores have a performance section with a lot of chrome goodies in there.i got my valve covers for like 50 bucks and air cleaner for i think 30.definitely use the rubberized reuseable gaskets on the valve covers if you can.a few bucks more but are a lot less likely to leak.you will have to plug the vaccuum lines coming to your original air cleaner as there is no heat riser anymore on a open element air cleaner.the valve covers will need 2 grommets(1 for pcv an 1 for breather).then you just plug in the pcv and breather back in to the valve covers.there is usually a spot on the air cleaner to put the breather back on there.should be standard 4 bolt valve covers if its the stock engine.if you need anything else im sure we can figure it out 4 ya.

 

[76zimmer]

Chadly...If you can post up some of the items your thinking about (i.e. part #'s or links to them), and I'm sure you'll get some feedback.

 

[Chadly]

Not sure about the part #'s, just saw some edelbrock stuff at autozone the other day and thought it would look nice. They were cheap too, like $30 for covers and 30 for cleaner. I am used to working with newer engines like my lincoln I changed to a cobra engine last year. Nothing wrong with wanting it to look good to.

 

[76zimmer]

Those must be sheet metal huh?
If you get those be sure to use the spreader bars for them.