my first square body 87

[ArkGL01]

I just bought a 87 350 with 700r4. Has 98k on it but everything needs to be gone over. I want to dress with engine up a little bit with valve covers and few things but I know some valve covers are junk. Can any one recommend some that fit well and wont leak.

Plans are all stock outside with 20s and 5" drop.

[Chrispbrown36]

Congratulations on the new ride!
As far as valve covers go.....I am not an expert but I have been doing a little reading up on the subject and from what I have read stamped covers are to be avoided at all costs. They are apparently notorious for leaking. Die cast is what you want. Since it doesn't sound like you want performance just good looks I would look at steel not aluminum. Beyond that I can't give advice on specific brands so stick with a known brand (Edelbrock has some nice looking ones) and you should be good. Plus the die cast steel are a bit cheaper than the lighter aluminum.
Good luck and enjoy that truck!

[Chrispbrown36]

Looks like a very clean truck.

[tucsonjwt]

I just installed steel core valve cover gaskets made by Magnum and got a set of valve cover "spreaders" off Ebay. I used the factory valve covers (sanded, primed, and repainted with engine primer and paint. So far, two weeks and no leaks.

Not cheap:
Magnum gaskets: $45 from local speed shop
Valve cover spreaders: $25 from Ebay
Engine Primer: $8
Engine Paint: $8
__________________________________________
$86 Total

I think if you get out the "dimples" around the mounting bolt holes on the valve covers (using a block of wood and a hammer/straight edge) and use a torque wrench in inch pounds (about 50 lbs. in my case), then you should have a leak free installation if using steel core gaskets.

I see two problems with chrome covers: 1) They will be aftermarket and not good quality (e.g. thin and cheap chrome) 2) they will look out of place if you don't do a full dress up, which is very costly. Most older chrome valve covers I have seen are rusty.

Cast covers would be good, but they are not cheap either. They will more likely seat better and be flatter, but they are also aftermarket and could likely be tweaked and not seat well. (Reminds me of the mid year Corvette 340 hp/327 which could be distinguished by their factory cast valve covers. Those covers had a casting flaw which revealed a distinct vertical line in the covers. If you replace those covers with identical covers which do not have the line defect, you lose NCRS judging points.)

[ArkGL01]

what is a valve cover spreader? never heard of it?

[northeimcustom]

that is a good looking truck you have there. spend as much time on this site as you can and you will learn everything you need to know!

[kelsfine69]

87's have center mount valve covers FYI

[MrSS]

GM performance parts have some pretty nice center bolt valve covers. I think since they put them on a lot of their crate motors they aren't prone to leaking.