L82 Valve Covers
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
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2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
L82 Valve Covers
I have a dilemna. Bought brand new GM L82 style aluminum valve covers. With the Comp Cams magnum roller rockers, I had clearance issues with the internal baffles in the valve covers, so I attempted to squeeze them for clearance. When I did this, I got the clearance, but they both became loose in the cover. They are barely attached to the valve covers by being crimped in with the steel grommets at both PCV holes. So I was not satisfied with them being loose and completely removed them.
I searched for alternative baffles, and found that there are multiple baffled rubber grommets available from Moroso, Milidon, Summit etc, but none that fit the smaller hole in these valve covers. They are all made for 1-1/4 diameter holes. I also have read they don't work very well anyway.
I am stumped. I could try to reinstall the metal baffles, but not sure how I can do that. Any ideas?? From what I read, I need some time of baffle otherwise I will be sucking oil through the engine PCV system.
I searched for alternative baffles, and found that there are multiple baffled rubber grommets available from Moroso, Milidon, Summit etc, but none that fit the smaller hole in these valve covers. They are all made for 1-1/4 diameter holes. I also have read they don't work very well anyway.
I am stumped. I could try to reinstall the metal baffles, but not sure how I can do that. Any ideas?? From what I read, I need some time of baffle otherwise I will be sucking oil through the engine PCV system.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 219
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From: Irma Northern WI
Some years ago, I used the AC chrome vent typical of the early big block valve cover vents. I then cut the stub off of the breather and used a smaller stub from a GM oil separator. Since that stub had a flange on it, I was able to epoxy that to the breather base. Never had a problem after that. That could also be TIG welded to the breather base. You could certainly use a small section of the appropriate size tube and flange that.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
Likes: 2,736
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I am talking about the baffles inside the valve covers. They were initially attached by the small grommet that is crimped into the PCV hole. It was just barely attached, and all it took was me pinching the unit with a pair of large pliers to break it out.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 219
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From: Irma Northern WI
Since you are intending to put all the smog items back in place, you could just re-attach the hoses as they were along with the PVC valve. If you have any issues with oil migrating to the vacuum signal, simply install an oil separator in the line with the PVC valve. I thought that you were looking at putting breathers on the valve covers. Oil separators configured with the small vent sizes were used on some GM vehicles, so you should be able to locate them without too much trouble.
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