Have your chrome valve covers leaked?

[spincast375]

Mine do; some have told me chrome never give you a good fit and will always leak. I have the original covers. I am about to change out the valve cover gaskets. Am I better off to scrap the chrome? Engine is a rebuilt big block 454 cu. in.

 

[bigchief427]

nope and they are kinda cheap looking things that were on the truck when i got it I did put some rubber gaskets on the cover for giggles i try and keep em tight also

 

[BowtieBlazer]

every chrome set I have owned leaked, on 3 diff motors, I think its because chrome doesn't radiate heat it holds in more than normal metals. I blame that extra heat for never sealing right. I have new gaskets and refinished covers just need to make time.

 

[80 Chevy K20 4x4]

On chrome accessories, you need to scuff the gasket surface up with something to take the chrome off. I use a cut off wheel die grinder tool with roll lok scotch brite pads and treat the gasket side like I do for removing gaskets from machine surfaces. Hope that helps.

Doug /forums/images/graemlins/truck.gif

 

[84_Chevy_K10]

[ QUOTE ]
On chrome accessories, you need to scuff the gasket surface up with something to take the chrome off. I use a cut off wheel die grinder tool with roll lok scotch brite pads and treat the gasket side like I do for removing gaskets from machine surfaces. Hope that helps.

Doug /forums/images/graemlins/truck.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Bingo. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

 

[wasted wages]

A trick the has worked for me is to use cork gaskets,,aviation hi tack permatex glued to the cover ONLY,,,then use some grease on the side that will contact the head,,
use a set of hold downs that spread the bolts clamping force evenly across the lip of the covers & tighten down just enough to compress the gasket,,,The best thing is to use is a set of aluminum covers,,,they seal so much better.

 

[walla2k5]

I've thrown away mine,opted for some aluminun ones and polished them up,look great.... /forums/images/graemlins/usaflag.gif

 

[Z3PR]

When I do buy crome, I always get the AC Delco

I like the tall ones. On older vehicles crome looks good.

 

[K5MONSTERCHEV]

I have the same ones Z3PR showed, they don't leak.

 

[mxfireman]

I had the same problem and I switched to the aluminum and a rubber gasket and have zero problems.

 

[K1Orion]

[ QUOTE ]
Engine is a rebuilt big block 454 cu. in.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't remeber if BB had the hold down tabs, maybe just bolts.