Valve covers
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
Originally Posted by FD2BLK
Ummm, Long before there where PCV systems they had breathers (A big hole in the top of the VC with an air cleaner). Many people still use the breather system and with no problems of leaky valve seals. The PCV systems do a lot of good for the motor but that is because it provides a positive suction for the crank case ventilation system. Trust me on this one if you have a poorly sealed VC it will spew oil all over the motor long before you have any sort of combustion problems.
If this is the point in the article you are refering to it is probably refering to a ceter mount plug. In that case a leaky valve cover could fill the hol;e with oil and then leak oil into the CC. For a SBC this is not going to be a problem because you will be dumping oil onto the exhaust and fire will be of bigger concern
"leaking valve covers allowing oil to seep through the plug threads, whatever it needs to be fixed."
If this is the point in the article you are refering to it is probably refering to a ceter mount plug. In that case a leaky valve cover could fill the hol;e with oil and then leak oil into the CC. For a SBC this is not going to be a problem because you will be dumping oil onto the exhaust and fire will be of bigger concern
"leaking valve covers allowing oil to seep through the plug threads, whatever it needs to be fixed."
I'm not saying it is imposible but on out SBCs it is going to be a leaky valve stem seal 99.9% of the time. Valve stem seals should control the oil allowed past the stem and yes, they should control any air getting past the valve stem as well. As noted many people, even some C4 owners who have ditcehd the PCV system are running breathers, so really, that makes no sense. But I will give you that 0.1% of the time oil may leak out of a vc gasket...run down, without igniting or drying/evaporating and then make it to the plug in a high enough quantity that it gets to the threads. Then again, it has to make it into the CC from outside the plug, which shouldn't happen either.
In the end though, I mad the mistake once of adjusting my rockers with the engine running and one of the oil control clips flew off. I didn't see it, nor did my buddy. Next thing we knew oil was all over that side of the head and and burning on the headers. Long story short, even spraying oil, it still didn't get down to the plugs.
Just letting the original poster and anyone who else reads this. 99.9% oil won't be coming from a leaky VC.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
Originally Posted by C4driver99
Yea. Yours look incrediable. If you can would you post a pic of it installed. Just so i could get a idea of what it looks like. If not no biggie. Thanks.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
Originally Posted by C4driver99
Does anyone have a good gasket brand? Less maintenance, tighter fits, better deal on price???
(Except I geuss VC, they aren't that hard to change...but still
)These work great for me:
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...6&autoview=sku
I also used some silicon RTV on them.
Last edited by USAsOnlyWay; Feb 16, 2006 at 12:35 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Originally Posted by C4driver99
Does anyone have a good gasket brand? Less maintenance, tighter fits, better deal on price???
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 922
Likes: 1
From: Brisbane Queensland, Australia
Originally Posted by Frizlefrak
FelPro rubber. Don't use cork. They aren't hard to change, but I'd still rather be driving than wrenching.
...As I said on page one; I used Felpro gaskets and even my cheap rubbish rocker covers didn't leak with them.
A good mate of mine SWEARS by cork, but I'm a rubber man (so to speak) and getting too old to radically change my ways!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, AZ. L98-85 AUTO COUPE: 120k MILES: daily driver. SOUND OFF IF YOU'VE BEEN THERE. Ex-Jumpin' Junky-82nd Airborne-2/505 PIR: 1st ID-1/16th Inf: Recon Marine Retread. GOD BLESS GRUNTS.
Originally Posted by FD2BLK
Ummm, Long before there where PCV systems they had breathers (A big hole in the top of the VC with an air cleaner). Many people still use the breather system and with no problems of leaky valve seals. The PCV systems do a lot of good for the motor but that is because it provides a positive suction for the crank case ventilation system. Trust me on this one if you have a poorly sealed VC it will spew oil all over the motor long before you have any sort of combustion problems.
If this is the point in the article you are refering to it is probably refering to a ceter mount plug. In that case a leaky valve cover could fill the hol;e with oil and then leak oil into the CC. For a SBC this is not going to be a problem because you will be dumping oil onto the exhaust and fire will be of bigger concern
"leaking valve covers allowing oil to seep through the plug threads, whatever it needs to be fixed."
If this is the point in the article you are refering to it is probably refering to a ceter mount plug. In that case a leaky valve cover could fill the hol;e with oil and then leak oil into the CC. For a SBC this is not going to be a problem because you will be dumping oil onto the exhaust and fire will be of bigger concern
"leaking valve covers allowing oil to seep through the plug threads, whatever it needs to be fixed."
the valve cover vents probably negate the effects of piston ring blowby pressurizing the valve cover and pushing oil down the valve guides and out through the seals.
when you have worn parts--a large air vent is going to be better than a small one.
froggy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 922
Likes: 1
From: Brisbane Queensland, Australia
Originally Posted by parafrog
the valve cover vents probably negate the effects of piston ring blowby pressurizing the valve cover and pushing oil down the valve guides and out through the seals.
when you have worn parts--a large air vent is going to be better than a small one.
froggy.
when you have worn parts--a large air vent is going to be better than a small one.
froggy.
