L82 valve covers
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L82 valve covers
How do you clean the aluminum valve covers and is there any sealer that will help keep the clean? Mine look really bad and I want to clean them up for when I put a new engine in. Thanks for any input you might have. Tom :confused:
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 36,112
Likes: 8
From: Hotlanta GA
Cruise-In 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08, '15
Re: L82 valve covers (T-Top Tom 1)
Take them off and spray it with WD-40 then take a hose or pressure sprayer and rinse it off. Or you could always use a degreaser (make sure it says safe for aluminum).
:cheers:
:cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1,395
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Re: L82 valve covers (T-Top Tom 1)
I also spray them with WD40 and then use a clean cloth and wipe them down
after. If you totally wash away the WD40 with water or degreaser they will oxidize.
A thin film of WD40 protects them.
after. If you totally wash away the WD40 with water or degreaser they will oxidize.
A thin film of WD40 protects them.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,146
Likes: 477
From: NM
Re: L82 valve covers (T-Top Tom 1)
I use a good alumn wheel cleaner and then scrub them with a ScottBright pad. Works wonders. But much easier if they are off the engine.
Wow :eek: , I just looked to see what years you have and saw 68, 73, and 74. T-Top Tom 1, tell us about your cars. :yesnod:
tom...
[Modified by Tom73, 11:26 PM 6/8/2002]
Wow :eek: , I just looked to see what years you have and saw 68, 73, and 74. T-Top Tom 1, tell us about your cars. :yesnod:
tom...
[Modified by Tom73, 11:26 PM 6/8/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
Re: L82 valve covers (T-Top Tom 1)
Tom, I have a set of the L82 valve covers (a previous owner put them on my L48). They are painted orange with black painted on the top of the ribbing. You may want to clean them completely with carb cleaner to remove all the old paint and then paint them with an orange that matches the engine. Or, if you just want to clean them up and they are not painted then use some Mothers Chrome and Aluminum polish to get them to shine. First use some liquid laundry detergent, or liquid hand soap to clean all the grease off. Mothers will also help protect them since it bonds with the aluminum and creates a thin oxidation layer that keeps them shiney.
And, we need some pictures of your vettes!
[Modified by Rockn-Roll, 1:15 AM 6/9/2002]
And, we need some pictures of your vettes!
[Modified by Rockn-Roll, 1:15 AM 6/9/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,146
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From: NM
Re: L82 valve covers (Rockn-Roll)
You may want to clean them completely with carb cleaner to remove all the old paint and then paint them with an orange that matches the engine.
tom...
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Posts: n/a
Re: L82 valve covers (Tom73)
My 68 is a 350 hp, 4 speed car with no other options, how however over the many years I have got a telescope wheel , speed warning speedometer, power windows doors, power brakes, head rest seats, and power steering to put on it when ever I redo the car. It is stripped about 85% and have been parked for the last 17 years.
The 73 is a LS6 with 4 speed, air, p/brakes, p/steering, it needs a paint job, a new clutch set, which I have sitting on the shelf for it. I am the third owner and it has just under 30,000 miles on it . I got it in Dec. 1995 and haven't driven it over 100 miles, it also have been parked.
The 74 is a L82, auto, air, p/steering, but no p/brakes, electric windows. It just turned 60,000 miles today. I am the second owner, and have had the car since 1987, and put 40,000 in that time. And to think I made fun of the 1st owner only putting 20,000 miles on it in four years when I first got the car.
The 73 is a LS6 with 4 speed, air, p/brakes, p/steering, it needs a paint job, a new clutch set, which I have sitting on the shelf for it. I am the third owner and it has just under 30,000 miles on it . I got it in Dec. 1995 and haven't driven it over 100 miles, it also have been parked.
The 74 is a L82, auto, air, p/steering, but no p/brakes, electric windows. It just turned 60,000 miles today. I am the second owner, and have had the car since 1987, and put 40,000 in that time. And to think I made fun of the 1st owner only putting 20,000 miles on it in four years when I first got the car.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,146
Likes: 477
From: NM
Re: L82 valve covers (T-Top Tom 1)
The 73 is a LS6 with 4 speed, air, p/brakes, p/steering, it needs a paint job, a new clutch set, which I have sitting on the shelf for it. I am the third owner and it has just under 30,000 miles on it . I got it in Dec. 1995 and haven't driven it over 100 miles, it also have been parked.
Be sure to vist The '73 Spot below.
tom...
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: L82 valve covers (Tom73)
I made a mistake it is a LS4 not a 6 just not thinking right. All three cars are number matching cars, the 73 has hooker side pipes on it, but I have gotten the correct exhaust manifolds if I want to put it back stock. I have checked your site several times. I love it, you put a lot of work in and a lot of information :)
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,990
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From: No longer a member
Re: L82 valve covers (T-Top Tom 1)
If you are going to repaint them I got a spray can of this stuff called "Aircraft Remover" from Lowes, white can with blue lettering. Spray it on, watch the paint bubble for about 5-10 minutes and wash it off with the garden hose. Doesn't harm aluminum, and made the job easy.
