valve cover question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mhorning · 11-23-2003, 02:15 PM

I was just wondering. I am looking at valve covers for my truck and I see that some have baffles and some do not and that some are classified as tall. Can anyone tell me what is the difference? I have an 86 k10 with a 350, pretty much stock, but I'd like to dress it up a little. I kind of have my eye on Proform's black crinkle covers.

Russell · 11-23-2003, 02:57 PM

Not 100% sure about the baffles stuff, but the tall valve covers are designed for a souped up engine that needs more rocker clearance than most engines would, it just prevents your rockers from hitting your valve covers. With your 350, standard valve covers should be good. Try to get the same equipment as you already have on your truck if you arn't sure about something.

BigRed · 11-23-2003, 03:01 PM

Tall covers are nice, however sometimes on the newer vehicles, there is clearance problems with other components. The baffles are nice and I think essential. They prevent oil spray.

86SILVERADO · 11-23-2003, 08:26 PM

It is harder to find the aftermarket covers with the baffles already installed. Most try to get you to do it yourself. You need them so that your pcv valve does not suck oil out of the engine.

lukecp · 11-23-2003, 08:42 PM

Tall valve covers make it harder to work on your engine....unless you have roller rockers on there, stock height valve covers work fine.

I have chrome Edelbrock covers, cost $32 and came with baffles already installed

Jonboy · 11-23-2003, 08:59 PM

you definitely want to find some that are baffled. Since your engine is pretty much stock, just find a set of the short ones with a baffle already installed.

Mike76251 · 11-24-2003, 12:03 AM

Yeah.........you need baffles.
I looked at the Proforms but ran from them fast when I saw "made in tawain" on them.

CRRoy71 · 11-24-2003, 01:31 AM

I have the Proform black crinkle dress up kit. I had to get the tall covers for my roller rockers, but I could not get my EGR valve back on there with the tall covers. I have not had any problems with them at all, but if yours is stock, you can get the short ones.

mhorning · 11-24-2003, 05:23 PM

well somehow my EGR valve just disappeared

, so it should be ok. I have a lead on a set of tall covers with baffles, used but in great shape for 70 bucks. I'm thinking of putting them on.

PHOENIX · 11-24-2003, 05:59 PM

Like said before if you get tall covers you need to raise your egr. You can go to the dealer and by another egr spacer and a couple gaskets, then get some longer hardware. With the extra spacer it should clear.

You do want baffles but there are some things to consider before installing them. Some baffles restrict oil input considerably. I recommend before you install the baffles or the covers with baffles on them you pour oil through them to see how much they restrict the oil flow. You may need to drill a hole or cut a slot in the baffle. If you do not do this it may take you 10+ minutes to put oil in your truck during an oil change. Check this before install!!!

CRRoy71 · 11-24-2003, 07:15 PM

I got an extra EGR spacer from the dealership, and mine still would not clear. Maybe with three it might, but I got tired of messing with it and just blocked it off for now.

PHOENIX · 11-25-2003, 11:25 AM

Roy you are correct. I didnt get a tall cover just an aluminum cast and it was taller then stock. I only need the one. You may need a few spacers to clear the tall cover.

76bonanza · 11-25-2003, 06:18 PM

What year did they start putting egr valves on the trucks? I have always used tall ones and never had any trouble.

Also not sure how tall ones make it harder to work on????

11-23-2003, 02:15 PM	#1
mhorning Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Corning, NY Posts: 158	valve cover question I was just wondering. I am looking at valve covers for my truck and I see that some have baffles and some do not and that some are classified as tall. Can anyone tell me what is the difference? I have an 86 k10 with a 350, pretty much stock, but I'd like to dress it up a little. I kind of have my eye on Proform's black crinkle covers. __________________ 63 Chevy C10 86 Chevy K10

11-23-2003, 02:57 PM	#2
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Not 100% sure about the baffles stuff, but the tall valve covers are designed for a souped up engine that needs more rocker clearance than most engines would, it just prevents your rockers from hitting your valve covers. With your 350, standard valve covers should be good. Try to get the same equipment as you already have on your truck if you arn't sure about something. __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

11-23-2003, 03:01 PM	#3
BigRed Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,680	Tall covers are nice, however sometimes on the newer vehicles, there is clearance problems with other components. The baffles are nice and I think essential. They prevent oil spray. __________________ Scott Shelbourne

11-23-2003, 08:26 PM	#4
86SILVERADO Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hills of Western Mass Posts: 626	It is harder to find the aftermarket covers with the baffles already installed. Most try to get you to do it yourself. You need them so that your pcv valve does not suck oil out of the engine. __________________ 86 Silverado C10 back to 305 power! 67 C30 Dually Dump, with 350 transplant, Rockhauler 05 Duramax 3500 "If at first you don't succeed, try a bigger hammer" Member of the 1-Ton club!

11-23-2003, 08:42 PM	#5
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Tall valve covers make it harder to work on your engine....unless you have roller rockers on there, stock height valve covers work fine. I have chrome Edelbrock covers, cost $32 and came with baffles already installed __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

11-23-2003, 08:59 PM	#6
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	you definitely want to find some that are baffled. Since your engine is pretty much stock, just find a set of the short ones with a baffle already installed. __________________ 1974 Jimmy- 5.3/4L80e/NP241

11-24-2003, 12:03 AM	#7
Mike76251 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,500	Yeah.........you need baffles. I looked at the Proforms but ran from them fast when I saw "made in tawain" on them.

11-24-2003, 01:31 AM	#8
CRRoy71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Mont Belvieu, TX Posts: 852	I have the Proform black crinkle dress up kit. I had to get the tall covers for my roller rockers, but I could not get my EGR valve back on there with the tall covers. I have not had any problems with them at all, but if yours is stock, you can get the short ones. Attached Images __________________ Chris '92 ext. cab s/b 4.3L "Sparky" '04 crew cab 2500 4x4 6.0L

11-24-2003, 05:23 PM	#9
mhorning Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Corning, NY Posts: 158	well somehow my EGR valve just disappeared , so it should be ok. I have a lead on a set of tall covers with baffles, used but in great shape for 70 bucks. I'm thinking of putting them on. __________________ 63 Chevy C10 86 Chevy K10

11-24-2003, 05:59 PM	#10
PHOENIX Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 4,703	Like said before if you get tall covers you need to raise your egr. You can go to the dealer and by another egr spacer and a couple gaskets, then get some longer hardware. With the extra spacer it should clear. You do want baffles but there are some things to consider before installing them. Some baffles restrict oil input considerably. I recommend before you install the baffles or the covers with baffles on them you pour oil through them to see how much they restrict the oil flow. You may need to drill a hole or cut a slot in the baffle. If you do not do this it may take you 10+ minutes to put oil in your truck during an oil change. Check this before install!!! __________________ * AVOID: LOPER'S PERMORANCE / LOPERSPEED.COM OF PHOENIX, AZ & COTTMAN TRANSMISSION *

11-24-2003, 07:15 PM	#11
CRRoy71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Mont Belvieu, TX Posts: 852	I got an extra EGR spacer from the dealership, and mine still would not clear. Maybe with three it might, but I got tired of messing with it and just blocked it off for now. __________________ Chris '92 ext. cab s/b 4.3L "Sparky" '04 crew cab 2500 4x4 6.0L

11-25-2003, 11:25 AM	#12
PHOENIX Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 4,703	Roy you are correct. I didnt get a tall cover just an aluminum cast and it was taller then stock. I only need the one. You may need a few spacers to clear the tall cover. __________________ * AVOID: LOPER'S PERMORANCE / LOPERSPEED.COM OF PHOENIX, AZ & COTTMAN TRANSMISSION *

11-25-2003, 06:18 PM	#13
76bonanza Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St robert Mo Posts: 2,001	What year did they start putting egr valves on the trucks? I have always used tall ones and never had any trouble. Also not sure how tall ones make it harder to work on???? __________________ 1968 c10 lowered 3" 4" 355/Th400 built by Hatfield racing in joplin MO



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