1968 Valve Cover Question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28
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From: Commerce Township MI
1968 Valve Cover Question
I have a 1968 (327 - 300hp) that is being rebuilt. Once completed it will be pushing ~350hp. I would like to add chrome valve covers to complete the look. Has anyone heard any feedback on these sold by Ecklers?:
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...rome-1968.html
Also, do I need the standard bolt kit or the one with reinforments?
Finally, I have been told that the Chrome Valve Covers tend to leak. Is this true? Is there a recommended gasket I should use?
Thanks!!
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...rome-1968.html
Also, do I need the standard bolt kit or the one with reinforments?
Finally, I have been told that the Chrome Valve Covers tend to leak. Is this true? Is there a recommended gasket I should use?
Thanks!!
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 159
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From: asheville nc
I have a 1968 (327 - 300hp) that is being rebuilt. Once completed it will be pushing ~350hp. I would like to add chrome valve covers to complete the look. Has anyone heard any feedback on these sold by Ecklers?:
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...rome-1968.html
Also, do I need the standard bolt kit or the one with reinforments?
Finally, I have been told that the Chrome Valve Covers tend to leak. Is this true? Is there a recommended gasket I should use?
Thanks!!
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...rome-1968.html
Also, do I need the standard bolt kit or the one with reinforments?
Finally, I have been told that the Chrome Valve Covers tend to leak. Is this true? Is there a recommended gasket I should use?
Thanks!!
Anything aftermarket made in the last few years, made here to whereever are suspect to quality or working as they should....thats just the way it is these days.
Last edited by 68L79; Sep 29, 2014 at 11:24 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28
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From: Commerce Township MI
The orig 327-350hp chrome valve covers that came on the L79 do not leak...the made in china ones are the ones that leak, bend, etc.
Anything aftermarket made in the last few years, made here to whereever are suspect to quality or working as they should....thats just the way it is these days.
Anything aftermarket made in the last few years, made here to whereever are suspect to quality or working as they should....thats just the way it is these days.
Thanks, it doesn't say where these are made but from the price it would seem to be USA. Any advice on the reinforements?:
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1959-1982.html
Last edited by saturnkk; Sep 29, 2014 at 11:34 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28
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From: Commerce Township MI
Safety Car
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From: Draper Utah
If you want to solve all your leaky valve cover issues use Fel-Pro gasket #1628. They are a little pricey but they don't leak and they have an insert that makes it impossible to over tighten. The gaskets are also reusable, which is nice if you have to pull your valve covers occasionally.
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 159
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From: asheville nc
Yes....the L79 has a 6,000 rpm tach.
On the VC torque settings...chances are you will find the stock chevy specs...but that will be with the chevy valve cover and the chevy gasket....
On aftermarket or non-stock orig valve covers and gaskets...it will be probably not be found....best to use a heavy VC and nice cork gasket..I usually use some purple gasket stuff to hold the gasket to the valve cover....run all 4 bolts down lightly snug....then give the bolts close to the exhaust a couple of turns...then the upper manifold bolts a couple of turns...then back to the bottom ones...then the upper ones until they are all pretty snug...then you should be okay. The valve cover is more likely to leak at the lower side closest to the exhaust and that is why I start there first and give it more turns or first turns.
On the VC torque settings...chances are you will find the stock chevy specs...but that will be with the chevy valve cover and the chevy gasket....
On aftermarket or non-stock orig valve covers and gaskets...it will be probably not be found....best to use a heavy VC and nice cork gasket..I usually use some purple gasket stuff to hold the gasket to the valve cover....run all 4 bolts down lightly snug....then give the bolts close to the exhaust a couple of turns...then the upper manifold bolts a couple of turns...then back to the bottom ones...then the upper ones until they are all pretty snug...then you should be okay. The valve cover is more likely to leak at the lower side closest to the exhaust and that is why I start there first and give it more turns or first turns.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28
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From: Commerce Township MI
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: asheville nc
Thanks, it doesn't say where these are made but from the price it would seem to be USA. Any advice on the reinforements?:
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1959-1982.html
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1959-1982.html
Riks Corvett parts in NC have the correct ones like mine....7.99 for the set...part ENG118...1-888-745-7838...good down home folks to deal with...they are about an hour from me.
Those you showed in your post was for a big block according to Riks....
Last edited by 68L79; Sep 29, 2014 at 03:08 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
If you seek originality, good photo reference here. Includes underhood pics.
Worth the price of a copy.
The 68-69 NCRS Technical Information and Judging Guide is also useful.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28
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From: Commerce Township MI
Air cleaner lid only. Nothing on the valve covers. AIR pump missing on this one and has an MSD box.
If you seek originality, good photo reference here. Includes underhood pics.
Worth the price of a copy.
The 68-69 NCRS Technical Information and Judging Guide is also useful.
If you seek originality, good photo reference here. Includes underhood pics.
Worth the price of a copy.
The 68-69 NCRS Technical Information and Judging Guide is also useful.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
...Don't the valve covers get the HT stickers or HP sticksers on them?..
They are difficult to see with the engine in the car. For Judging purposes, the NCRS has determined the original stickers had a water soluable glue which attracted moisture with the result the stickers very quickly peeled off the valve covers. Many otherwise original cars no longer have the stickers.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Commerce Township MI
Amazon is the last place to go. You can find the book at other outlets.
Technically, yes. Rear of the RH valve cover. They were added at Flint to help identify engines stock piled at the assembly plants.
They are difficult to see with the engine in the car. For Judging purposes, the NCRS has determined the original stickers had a water soluable glue which attracted moisture with the result the stickers very quickly peeled off the valve covers. Many otherwise original cars no longer have the stickers.
Technically, yes. Rear of the RH valve cover. They were added at Flint to help identify engines stock piled at the assembly plants.
They are difficult to see with the engine in the car. For Judging purposes, the NCRS has determined the original stickers had a water soluable glue which attracted moisture with the result the stickers very quickly peeled off the valve covers. Many otherwise original cars no longer have the stickers.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 911
Likes: 5
From: TN
torque for valve covers
I have a original owner 68 327/350 that still has it's original chrome valve covers. I use Fel-Pro cork type gaskets and torque the valve cover bolts about 45-50 inch pounds. I do use my inch pound torque wrench on all my valve cover bolts and even on my automatic transmission pans.
I have two Craftsman inch pound torque wrenches, my original one is a beam type and later bought the clicker type.
I put new valve cover gaskets on my 68 Corvette so many years ago I could only guess, maybe 15 years.
45-50 inch pounds is not very much, before the purchase of the torque wrenches I was doing to much tightening of the bolts.
I have two Craftsman inch pound torque wrenches, my original one is a beam type and later bought the clicker type.
I put new valve cover gaskets on my 68 Corvette so many years ago I could only guess, maybe 15 years.
45-50 inch pounds is not very much, before the purchase of the torque wrenches I was doing to much tightening of the bolts.