Could I put screws in valve covers or dumbest idea ever - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**IT Cowboy** · 02-26-2026, 07:37 PM

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.

**Steeveedee** · 02-26-2026, 08:12 PM

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.

truckster · 02-26-2026, 08:19 PM

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

**Ironhorse** · 02-26-2026, 09:56 PM

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.

**WorldsCrappiestTruck** · 02-26-2026, 10:02 PM

That is not a good idea

**Stocker** · 02-26-2026, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WorldsCrappiestTruck

That is not a good idea

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

**WorldsCrappiestTruck** · 02-26-2026, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stocker

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

Truth.

Keep things simple and functional.

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

HO455 · 02-27-2026, 12:09 AM

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!

GOPAPA · 02-27-2026, 01:44 PM

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

**IT Cowboy** · 02-27-2026, 01:58 PM

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.

**PbFut** · 02-27-2026, 02:50 PM

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.

**Ironhorse** · 02-27-2026, 10:01 PM

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.

**Steeveedee** · 02-27-2026, 10:56 PM

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.

**70STOVEBOLT** · 03-06-2026, 03:50 PM

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.

02-26-2026, 07:37 PM	#1
IT Cowboy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2025 Location: Arizona in a van down by the river Posts: 617	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. __________________ 1972 C10 Custom Deluxe Highlander 402 Freedom isn't safe, it requires you to take responsibility for your own life, your own safety, and your own success. It carries with it the possibility of failure and the understanding that you're working without out a safety net. If you give the state the responsibility for any of these you also give up the freedom that accompanies the responsibility.

02-26-2026, 08:12 PM	#2
Steeveedee Ram-A-Lam-A-Ding-Dong Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 11,899	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. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

02-26-2026, 08:19 PM	#3
truckster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 8,264	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. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson 1972 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD 1963 Corvair Monza Spyder Turbo convertible 1995 Camaro Z/28

02-26-2026, 09:56 PM	#4
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,648	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. __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks

02-26-2026, 10:02 PM	#5
WorldsCrappiestTruck Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Hinesburg Vermont Posts: 350	Re: Could I put screws in valve covers or dumbest idea ever That is not a good idea

02-27-2026, 12:09 AM	#8
HO455 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 12,406	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! __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

02-27-2026, 01:44 PM	#9
GOPAPA Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nampa Idaho Posts: 7,862	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 __________________ When you learn a thing a day you store up smart.

02-27-2026, 01:58 PM	#10
IT Cowboy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2025 Location: Arizona in a van down by the river Posts: 617	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. __________________ 1972 C10 Custom Deluxe Highlander 402 Freedom isn't safe, it requires you to take responsibility for your own life, your own safety, and your own success. It carries with it the possibility of failure and the understanding that you're working without out a safety net. If you give the state the responsibility for any of these you also give up the freedom that accompanies the responsibility.

02-27-2026, 02:50 PM	#11
PbFut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Ca Posts: 1,024	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.

02-27-2026, 10:01 PM	#12
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,648	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. __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks

02-27-2026, 10:56 PM	#13
Steeveedee Ram-A-Lam-A-Ding-Dong Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 11,899	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. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

03-06-2026, 03:50 PM	#14
70STOVEBOLT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Winona Lake, IN Posts: 7,062	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. Attached Images __________________ 70 C/10 SWB 402/TH400/3.73 "The Needy Beast" 200,000 Mile Club Disc Brake Club Owner installed options: Front Sway Bar Power Steering Power Brakes Cigar Lighter Courtesy Lights Deluxe Side Markers Wiper Delay Sliding Rear Window Power Windows Power Locks Sniper EFI 2015 Silverado 1500 LS 4.3/6L80/3.23 lowered 2" front & rear



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