C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
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Old Mar 14, 2026 | 02:26 PM
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Will my original 1973 L-82 aluminum valve covers fit AFR Eliminator 180cc heads?
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Old Mar 14, 2026 | 03:57 PM
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I don't see why not.
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Old Mar 14, 2026 | 04:33 PM
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Originally Posted by 96 lt-4
I don't see why not.
The guy from AFR said the roller rockers will not fit the 1973 L-82 aluminum valve covers. perhaps, double thick gaskets may make them work.
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Old Mar 14, 2026 | 11:05 PM
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Which rockers? My aftermarket aluminum heads had raised bosses to mount the valve covers, so I could fit factory “short” ones with roller rockers.


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Old Mar 15, 2026 | 04:47 AM
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Using same heads, roller tip rockers and stock valve covers fit fine on my 72.
js
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Old Mar 15, 2026 | 07:39 AM
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The covers fit the heads fine but the full roller rockers can cause interference. The oil mist baffles in the covers will likely hit the rockers. Those baffles are important to keep oil inside the engine and not all over the place outside the engine. The poly lock nuts can also hit the rockers because thay are too high depending on what style you are using.

Comp cast roller tip rockers will clear everything but your valve spring pressure must not exceed 350 pounds at full lift. Many roller cam spec'd valve springs will exceed that limit so you need to remember to check that. The roller tip rockers will burn up above that 350# over the nose limit.
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Old Mar 15, 2026 | 09:16 AM
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I have full roller rockers and mine fit. Gasket thickness may be a factor.
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Old Mar 15, 2026 | 09:47 AM
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Originally Posted by 7t9l82
I have full roller rockers and mine fit. Gasket thickness may be a factor.
Did the oil mist baffles clear? Larger rocker studs make it even harder.
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Old Mar 15, 2026 | 11:09 AM
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Mine cleared just fine
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Old Mar 16, 2026 | 08:22 AM
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Nice looking engine. What type of headers did you use? How was the fitment? Do you have straight or angle plug heads? Finally, How is the performance improvement over stock engine? Have a GREAT day! Pappy

PS>. my vette is a 1973 L-82 4spd, 3:55 rear, edelbrock 2101 intake, 1406 600 cfm carb, and electronic ignition.
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Old Mar 16, 2026 | 08:45 AM
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Originally Posted by pappy6062
Nice looking engine. What type of headers did you use? How was the fitment? Do you have straight or angle plug heads? Finally, How is the performance improvement over stock engine? Have a GREAT day! Pappy

PS>. my vette is a 1973 L-82 4spd, 3:55 rear, edelbrock 2101 intake, 1406 600 cfm carb, and electronic ignition.
Thanks, here’s how it looks now.



I have Doug’s stainless steel headers and side pipes. The heads are straight plug and have no fitment issues. The first picture has a 2101 intake, but the second is a 2601 air gap. Works well with the factory 800 CFM Quadrajet.

Despite starting with an L48 and still having a 3.08 rear end I’m very satisfied with the performance, a huge difference over stock. Although it’s a bit of a stopgap while I’m building a whole new powertrain from scratch.
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Old Mar 16, 2026 | 01:20 PM
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1973 L-82 3:55 rear, 4spd - suggestions on a cam (drivable idle - not too much lope) along with AFR eliminator 180 64cc heads. How about adding electric fan. ready replaced radiator with a dewitt’s. pappy
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Old Mar 16, 2026 | 03:05 PM
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Here’s a link to a thread about upgrades for an L82. I believe I linked it in your other thread too.

Short version is keeping the stock L82 cam since it’s already a pretty good factory piece, but advancing it 4 degrees to give you more low to mid range power. Add on some 1.6 ratio rockers and it will feel like a whole different engine. With its 114 degree LSA it will have a pretty smooth idle too.

Here’s the thread about aluminum radiators and electric fans. Keep in mind you’ll need to get a better alternator and beef up its wiring to compensate for the extra electrical load the fans add. Personally if you’re not having any issues with the clutch fan setup I would leave it the way it is.
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Old Mar 17, 2026 | 12:53 PM
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seems one gent has AFR Eliminators
seems the other has FLOTEKs
two rather different ends of the aftermarket aluminum head spectrum.
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Old Mar 17, 2026 | 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Rebelyell
seems one gent has AFR Eliminators
seems the other has FLOTEKs
two rather different ends of the aftermarket aluminum head spectrum.
Yes, and with the added compression of his L82 pistons even more power will be gotten by changing from the stock heads.

Last edited by Piersonpie; Mar 17, 2026 at 01:31 PM.
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Old Mar 23, 2026 | 10:40 AM
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I tried installing a set of LT-1 valve covers on a set of aluminum heads years ago with less than overwhelming success. (I'm pretty sure the L-82 covers are the same except for colour.) Yes there is a good chance that the covers will not clear roller rockers, but there may be another problem. The LT-1/L-82 covers have a groove to capture the gasket whereas the stamped steel covers only have a lip around the outside. I found the inner lip on the LT-1/L-82 covers interfered with the wider gasket surface on the aluminum heads I was working with. Since then I have seen extra thick valve cover gaskets that may resolve this problem, but you may want to do further research before investing in the heads.
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Old Mar 23, 2026 | 01:42 PM
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These gaskets work very well on my L82 with stock valve covers and edelbrock heads
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speed...mpaign_8602783
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