chrome valve covers
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 60
From: ft myers FL/Munising MI
chrome valve covers
looking to change the covers on my 85....been checking around..ecklers has chevy "350" chrome at 40 bucks a pair but the polished aluminum with the c4 logo are 240-300 a pr depending where you look...am I missing something? whouldn't chrome look better.???...I am chroming the manifold/runners/ etc anyway....are there better ones out there?...figured you guys would know...and as a side note....I did call arp to order the bolt kit....neal nice..but he told me to call summit...they'd be cheaper...i did...they were....a lot...thanks guys....
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
Those chrome ones are just stamped steel with chrome plating. The Aluminum ones are probably machined and then polished. A lot more cost to produce. Aluminum dissipates heat faster. But I see your point. Its hard to justify 3 bills for valve covers.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
Fleabay?? Lookit the pic of my '85 L98 left. I got those for $80 new. Make sure what you buy has the proper holes for your app. I used an old school ported oil breather/cap for the right side. Port is for the CCV and goes to the TB. I pop it out to use for the oil fill. Left side is for the PCV.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 60
From: ft myers FL/Munising MI
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 341
From: Adelaide South Australia
be aware that any covers taller than stock will hit the windscreen wiper motor on the left hand side, before you buy any measure yours and how much clearance you have and check exactly how tall the ones you're buying are,
in the photo below you can see where mine had to be cut and welded to clear the wiper motor,
in the photo below you can see where mine had to be cut and welded to clear the wiper motor,
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 60
From: ft myers FL/Munising MI
be aware that any covers taller than stock will hit the windscreen wiper motor on the left hand side, before you buy any measure yours and how much clearance you have and check exactly how tall the ones you're buying are,
in the photo below you can see where mine had to be cut and welded to clear the wiper motor,
in the photo below you can see where mine had to be cut and welded to clear the wiper motor,
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 341
From: Adelaide South Australia
I dont know about your '85 but my stock covers leaked like crazy, the aftermarket alloy ones are dead straight and dont leak,
I also used a thin flat rubber gasket on the left, it gives more clearance from the wiper motor
I also used a thin flat rubber gasket on the left, it gives more clearance from the wiper motor
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,836
Likes: 337
From: Database Error Indiana
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SBC-Small-Block-Aluminum-Short-Finned-Chevy-Center-Bolt-Valve-Covers-305-350-/111529874556?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19f7b2d47c&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Billet-Specialties-95829-Center-Bolt-Valve-Cover-For-Small-Block-Chevy-/151555191234?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item234964b1c2&vxp=mtr
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 207
Likes: 1
How many do you need ? First page on ebay.
SBC Small Block Aluminum Short Finned Chevy Center Bolt Valve Covers 305 350 | eBay
Billet Specialties 95829 Center Bolt Valve Cover for Small Block Chevy | eBay
SBC Small Block Aluminum Short Finned Chevy Center Bolt Valve Covers 305 350 | eBay
Billet Specialties 95829 Center Bolt Valve Cover for Small Block Chevy | eBay
Its really a slippery slope.
Those billet ones are nice though. Wish to hell I could find the right ones like that.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,836
Likes: 337
From: Database Error Indiana
The third hole is just the oil filler. You can pull out the PCV hose to add oil. My 87 is the same as your 86L. I used to have one of those too. For a while I was using the billett ones, but they did have an oil filler hole. If you get something like that, get chrome. The non plated ones are hard to keep polished. Mine were like this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1988-89-90-91-92-Chevy-Corvette-Short-Center-Bolt-Aluminum-Valve-Covers-/271179038806?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACorvette&hash=item3f2387c056&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1988-89-90-91-92-Chevy-Corvette-Short-Center-Bolt-Aluminum-Valve-Covers-/271179038806?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACorvette&hash=item3f2387c056&vxp=mtr
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 207
Likes: 1
The third hole is just the oil filler. You can pull out the PCV hose to add oil. My 87 is the same as your 86L. I used to have one of those too. For a while I was using the billett ones, but they did have an oil filler hole. If you get something like that, get chrome. The non plated ones are hard to keep polished. Mine were like this.
1988 89 90 91 92 Chevy Corvette Short Center Bolt Aluminum Valve Covers | eBay
1988 89 90 91 92 Chevy Corvette Short Center Bolt Aluminum Valve Covers | eBay
$49 and I can get C4 emblems for it...... Thanks bro. I just might use these. they look great.
But this is what kills me........the charts say 88 and up. will those fit my 86L? thanks man.....
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 98
From: Ashland PA
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,836
Likes: 337
From: Database Error Indiana
The late 86 is pretty much the same as the 88. They will work. The plain aluminum looks great but I had to work a bit to keep them looking that way. I drive mine every day. If you drive less, maintenance will be less.