Could I put screws in valve covers or dumbest idea ever
 

I have a set of metal strip spark plug wire looms I am wanting to add to tidy up under my hood. The wire looms are supposed to bolt onto the valve cover bolts at the bottom but they are tight there especially with my AC compressor on the one side. They would fit nicely on top of the valve cover right in the center. Could I use short self tapping screws to put them in the cover or am I inviting problems and leaks. My other idea was to try 3m high heat mounting tape.

Re: Could I put screws in valve covers or dumbest idea ever
 

I don't know how well that tape works, but you could sand the surfaces (diaper the valve cover around where you want the paint removed) and use something like J-B weld. I would recommend against screws. Any bit of blow-by is going to cause oil to weep up through the threads.

Re: Could I put screws in valve covers or dumbest idea ever
 

Not the dumbest idea ever, but probably not the best. Leaking valve covers are annoying.

Re: Could I put screws in valve covers or dumbest idea ever
 

Never seen screws thru the valve cover metal like that, not sure that would be a good solution to your thoughts. I have a pair of the newer type sbc valve covers (think mid 80's ?) that have a mounting tab for a similar type set up. Can do a pic of them if you have an interest. Maybe you could adapt them to your needs with a bit of after market engineering.

Re: Could I put screws in valve covers or dumbest idea ever
 

That is not a good idea

Re: Could I put screws in valve covers or dumbest idea ever
 

Reading that, coming from the "WorldsCrappiestTruck"..... I would take it to heart. :lol::lol::lol:

Re: Could I put screws in valve covers or dumbest idea ever
 

Truth.



Keep things simple and functional.



There’s no C10 equivalent NCRS judge that’s going to dock you points for misrouted plug wires.

Re: Could I put screws in valve covers or dumbest idea ever
 

Not only is it an invitation for oil leaks but you would need to make sure the ends of the screws never contact the rocker arms that are moving under the valve covers. Perfect way to induce a steady stream of metal particles into your oil.

There must be hundreds of different plug wire routing looms for a small block Chevrolet. Most of them would be GM factory pieces. Go to wrecking yard and look around. Go to a car show and look around. Search the interweb for photos. Just don't screw them to the valve covers!

Re: Could I put screws in valve covers or dumbest idea ever
 

If you have the clearence under rhe valve covers you could put a bolt through with a rubber sink washer on it with a nut on top to tighten it down and it shouldnt leak oil up throught bolt hole

Re: Could I put screws in valve covers or dumbest idea ever
 

The loom rails are really light and have extra surface area on them so I though about just using JB weld too? I will probably end up getting some aluminum strips and making some brackets that bolt to the bottom where the cover bolts on and then make them into a stand off type bracket.

Re: Could I put screws in valve covers or dumbest idea ever
 

Your truck is pretty nice. Why slut it up with a ghetto solution to parts not correct to the engine? Get the parts that are correctly engineered for the use intended.

Re: Could I put screws in valve covers or dumbest idea ever
 

Will dig thru the parts stash for the valve covers I mentioned. If I recall, they each have two welded on mounting tabs which should make it pretty easy to attach and route your plug wires.

Re: Could I put screws in valve covers or dumbest idea ever
 

Stock 1970 BBC valve covers have welded tabs, one on each valve cover, in my case. I have the HEI wires laying on top of the valve covers, using some plastic aftermarket looms. Not pristine, not real pretty, but they keep the wires positioned so that they don't get scorched on the exhaust manifolds.

Re: Could I put screws in valve covers or dumbest idea ever
 

Here is a pic of the looms I posted in another valve cover thread. My valve covers have two tabs welded on, one at the rear and one towards the middle. I am using the rear tabs and some loom clips and then the GM metal looms that use the VC bolts for mounting. They are pretty close the covers, they should clear the a/c brackets I would think. Damn sideways pics. It was correctly oriented in my photos.