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Valve Covers

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Old Feb 18, 2007 | 09:23 PM
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Default Valve Covers

I want to get new valve covers for my 86' L98 cast iron heads anyone have any suggestions?
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Old Feb 23, 2007 | 10:03 AM
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please help!
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Old Feb 23, 2007 | 10:55 AM
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I bought a set of chrome valve covers for my 86 from Mid America. It took several hours to install but they sure makes that engine pop. They are engraved with the C4 logo. I hope to have some pictures of the engine and new exhaust system soon.

Last edited by ThomasRetUSN; Feb 23, 2007 at 11:32 AM.
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Old Feb 23, 2007 | 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by ThomasRetUSN
I bought a set of chrome valve covers for my 86 from Mid America. It took several hours to install but they sure makes that engine pop. They are engraved with the C4 logo. I hope to have some pictures of the engine and new exhaust system soon.
just curious to why it took this long?
Did you mean several minutes???
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Old Feb 23, 2007 | 03:19 PM
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On the right side you need to unbolt the egr tube and move it out of the way, remove the plug wires and carefully get the valve cover in place. Its not quite as easy as it sounds. On the left side you need to back off the long bolt for the alternator so the old cover can be removed, again not as easy as it seems. It maybe took me two hours I took things slow installing the new cover as not to scratch them. Hope this helps.
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Old Feb 23, 2007 | 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by thumper823
just curious to why it took this long?
Did you mean several minutes???
I sometimes take several HOURS to air up my tires.
It usually goes somrthing like this:

May as well polish the wheels while I'm there.
Hmmmm there's dirt and brake dust on the inside of the wheels.... gonna have to jack'er'up and remove the wheels to clean them good.
Aww... got to put some tire dressing on those tires after putting them back on......
A little polish on the fenders and quarter panels while I'm at it.
Well, just a little cleaning on the windows won't hurt.
Uh.... may as well vacumn the carpets while I'm doing all this....
Seats can always use a little leather treatment....

What the heck was I going to do anyway????? Oh!! Check and set the tire pressures, oh yeah.
Dayum, that took ALL DAY!!! But I enjoyed every minute of it.
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Old Feb 23, 2007 | 10:22 PM
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Tell us what you don't like about your covers.Are they stock?
If so they can get pretty nasty looking,flaking paint,rough castings.
But they can be overhauled.I personaly won't suggest polishing them,they were not made for that,but it can be done with hours of work.I cleaned and repainted mine.I'm happy with them.
I'm sure there are many members out there that will show you pics of their stock covers that look really good after an overhaul with their own personal touches.
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Old Feb 23, 2007 | 10:28 PM
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I just ordered the paint from mid-america today and my decal for the valve covers (for an '84) just came in this week.

Once the paint shows up, I'll say a prayer and get to work.

Here's a heck of a deal for those of you with an '86..on ebay some dude has two NOS GM valve covers..I wish they had them for my car!! Since we are not supposed to post links for ebay auctions, just search for this description: Corvette valve covers Magnesium NOS

Jason
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Old Feb 24, 2007 | 07:13 AM
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Mine were looking kind of nasty so I bought a can of nickel spray paint from mid america. As I began looking to start my disassembly I thought I would try something. I cleaned each one as best I could. I then used newspaper and masking tape to protect from overspray. I painted each one while still on the engine. It looks much better than the way it used to and did not turn out too bad if I do say so myself. You have to look very closly to see a spot that is not perfect. It just seemed like a pain to have to remove them just for painting. Probably took the easy route but it seemed to work for me as I have never been a perfectionist.
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Old Feb 24, 2007 | 10:34 AM
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One of my friends bought a set of these for his early '86 and they look awesome. Priced right in my opinion.

http://www.billetspecialties.com/ite...id=210&pid=471

Hope this helps and yes it's a royal PITA to R&R valve covers on an early '86. The hardest part is that damn EGR pipe clamp if you have to remove it.
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