Valve Covers and Dress-up Kits??

[96blazr]

Guys, I’m running a 1977 Corvette 350 in my ‘68 and its very stock and I would like to add more Chrome. I was wondering about which type of Valve covers to get and which would hold up the best. I don’t want to put all this time and money into it and then have them leak.
I’ve seen the Dress-up kits in Summit, but was wondering about the Covers and whether or not those covers would be a good choice?
Also, what about aluminum? Does anyone make these and if so, are they big bucks?

The covers have the PCV Valve on the driver’s side and the oil fill is on the Passenger side, along with another “valve” of some kind that’s supposed to connect to the Air Filter. I can’t remember what this is or called.
Will it be okay to use the Chrome “Breathers” in these holes for Crankcase ventilation?

Any recommendations and/or links will be greatly appreciated.

[1968SWBBigBlock]

Go with cast AL if you want a long rust free life.
If you live someplace the engine gets wet (daily driver) the chrome plated units will only last a coule of years. Edelbrock makes sharp matching air cleaners and valve covers.

[beater69]

I got a set of polished cast aluminum from summit for around 50 and I really like them. don't waste your time with cheap chrome, you will only hate yourself for it. but if you do just get the spreader tabs and do not over tighten them.

[piecesparts]

I put the Chevrolet Performance Chrome/aluminum valve covers on my Son's truck. They look great, have a nice finish that will not rust and I have had no leaks from them.

[Rick Mills]

The cast aluminum also dissipates heat better than chrome.

[GREASEMONKEY72]

go for aluminium, chrome holds in heat

[texascowboy593]

I've got a set of tall Edelbrock Elite valve covers and they don't leak. Got the matching cleaner and it looks great!

[1lowdiesel]

billet!!

[Bowtiefreak]

1lowdiesel-
Where did the air cleaner housing come from?
Thanks

[96blazr]

Thanks for all the advise.

What about the Breathers??

I want to keep an Oil fill on one of them, but not sure about if I should have a breather for both sides?

Any advise?

[piecesparts]

First of all, you really do NOT want a breather cap on both valve covers. The design is to take air in one side of the motor and sweep it through the crankcase to purge oil vapors out through the PCV valve on the other side. If you put a breathe rcap on both valve covers, you will short circuit your air flow and gasses in the crankcase will build up. A lot of the dress up kits, combine the oil fill and a breather cap ALL into one. With today's designs and styles, the thought is to keep one side as the PCV valve with a line to the front of the carb base and the other is a breather of some sort. My breathers are connected to the air cleaner to keep any oil fumes from creating a mess on the valve covers. However, there are just straight breathers that are open to the atmosphere and allows the fumes to escape.

If you chose the chrome "Metal" valve cover design, then the breather caps and the PCV is easy, cheap, and simple. If you go with the aluminum valve covers and you want breathers and PCV to match them, then the price does go up. For my 383, I put two (2) "Billet Specialties" PCV combination caps on my aluminum valve covers. I took the PCV valve out of one of them, so that the air could flow in a path from the air cleaner to the block. Now the caps are matched on both sides. When I need to fill with oil, I pour it down through the hole that the cap fits into.

[revn67]

hey 1lowdiesel.....what pully setup is that from? and how much was it? don't mean to hijack your thread 96blzr

[Sport/Truck]

It’s been my experience that chrome leaks. So if you don’t want leaks stay away from chrome. Polished aluminum is ok though.
s/t

[muddpile]

Anything that is cast or billet will seal better than stamped steel in my opinion. With valve covers, you get what you pay for, so I'd go with the better ones.

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by Sport/Truck

It’s been my experience that chrome leaks. So if you don’t want leaks stay away from chrome. Polished aluminum is ok though.
s/t

I would like to comment here. It is not that Chrome leaks and aluminum does not; it is that "CHEAP METAL REPOP ITEMS" from a chinese/taiwanese factory, leaks (they just happened to be chromed so the public will buy them). Our manufacturing outlets around here want to build a business of dressing up the engines, but cheap guys like us want the prices where we can afford them. That leaves us with an overseas made quality that just plain sux. I disagree that chrome leaks, because I have been running chrome things for years and most of it was done on my own. I took my items to a chroming facility and had it done. I did do the cheap stuff a couple of times and was able to get them to seal, but it took time. Did you know that 90% of the dress up parts that you buy from the GM Perfromance parts group are just that, a foreign made quality. Those parts are purchsed through a company called "PROFORM" and they arrive at your house with a small sticker inside them that say made in China (even the aluminum ones). That is why I said, that I delved into the world of the cheaper parts and made them work.

If you open a Summit or Jegs catalog and look at aluminum or chrome valve covers, that are priced competively, then in most cases they ARE just that.


IF you can't screw it up looking pretty, then you ain't doing it right.

[adpostel]

Its been my experience, that what leaks is by far NOT the valve covers you use, but the Valve Cover Gasket. I personally don't use the POS cork gaskets, I always use the rubber ones with the thin piece of steel in the middle. They are pricey, but never leak. I have never had an issue with a Valve Cover itself leaking. Buy the Valve Covers that you like the best, and then get the good gaskets. You can reuse the rubber ones, and you don't have to put all that gunky silicone all over your stuff. Be sure and get the correct grommets for the PCV and Breather. Just my .02 cents

[1lowdiesel]

i'm gonna start a thread on the motor and car. so i don't hijack any threads.

[Wootdog]

If you buy aluminum and are lazy like me, after awhile they dull. You have to pull them off and polish them. Not hard to do just time consuming. My two cents. Kerry

[bobthecop]

Originally Posted by adpostel

Its been my experience, that what leaks is by far NOT the valve covers you use, but the Valve Cover Gasket. I personally don't use the POS cork gaskets, I always use the rubber ones with the thin piece of steel in the middle. They are pricey, but never leak. I have never had an issue with a Valve Cover itself leaking. Buy the Valve Covers that you like the best, and then get the good gaskets. You can reuse the rubber ones, and you don't have to put all that gunky silicone all over your stuff. Be sure and get the correct grommets for the PCV and Breather. Just my .02 cents

I agree, over tightening and squishing the gasket and bending the valve cover lip is what usually what causes them to leak.

[96blazr]

Originally Posted by adpostel

Its been my experience, that what leaks is by far NOT the valve covers you use, but the Valve Cover Gasket. I personally don't use the POS cork gaskets, I always use the rubber ones with the thin piece of steel in the middle. They are pricey, but never leak. I have never had an issue with a Valve Cover itself leaking. Buy the Valve Covers that you like the best, and then get the good gaskets. You can reuse the rubber ones, and you don't have to put all that gunky silicone all over your stuff. Be sure and get the correct grommets for the PCV and Breather. Just my .02 cents

Thank you for the input Adpostel. I'm still not 100% sure which tack I'll take as far my Valve Covers, but I sure as hell know which Gaskets I'll be using!:metal:

And thanks to everyone else for their input too. Looks like I still have a little research to do, but I'm getting a beeter grip on all this.

piecesparts. Thanks for explaining the "breather" aspect.