Valve covers for LT4
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,356
Likes: 291
From: MA
Valve covers for LT4
So I have installed a new Lloyd Elliot cam and Lunati valvetrain per Lloyds recommendation. Now my stock composite valve covers won't clear the Lunati Rollerrockers and polylocks.
What kind of valve covers have you guys used that will clear the polylocks?
What kind of valve covers have you guys used that will clear the polylocks?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,356
Likes: 291
From: MA
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,946
Likes: 63
From: Marianna FL
I clearanced my 95 LT1 valve covers for poly locks. I believe the LT1 composite covers are different where the drip rail is from the lt4 cover, but I imagine if I could clearance these that you could clearance the LT4 covers as well.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,356
Likes: 291
From: MA
I was thinking of trying a Mr. Gasket cork/rubber style gasket to replace the OEM silicone type insert. The cork/rubber looks like it will raise the cover a bit. Maybe enough to clear the polylocks?
But I thought I would ask the forum first if anyone found valve covers that would bolt up and give the clearance necessary.
But I thought I would ask the forum first if anyone found valve covers that would bolt up and give the clearance necessary.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 7,339
Likes: 137
From: WilkesBarre PA
Your LT4 valve covers don't have drip tabs. I added a second thicker rubber type perimeter bolt valve cover gasket to clear my shaft rockers. I used tack adhesive to hold it to the head. Put a dab of rtv in the holes where the bolts normally would go. I also added 2 small lock washers under the centerbolt studs so you don't over tighten the torx bolts.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,356
Likes: 291
From: MA
Your LT4 valve covers don't have drip tabs. I added a second thicker rubber type perimeter bolt valve cover gasket to clear my shaft rockers. I used tack adhesive to hold it to the head. Put a dab of rtv in the holes where the bolts normally would go. I also added 2 small lock washers under the centerbolt studs so you don't over tighten the torx bolts.
It also fits around my valve cover but the cover has no way of retaining the gasket. I am going to use The Right Stuff on the valve cover, slap the gasket on it and let it dry overnight. Then I will install it dry on the head portion. Hopefully the bolts are long enough to overcome the added 0.187".
Last edited by grandspt; Feb 25, 2020 at 06:51 AM.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 761
Likes: 68
Thank you, I am going to give it a try. It looks like a gasket of about 0.185" will clear everything. I found Mr. gasket #5867 which is 0.187" thick and will fit the perimeter of the heads.
It also fits around my valve cover but the cover has no way of retaining the gasket. I am going to use The Right Stuff on the valve cover, slap the gasket on it and let it dry overnight. Then I will install it dry on the head portion. Hopefully the bolts are long enough to overcome the added 0.187".
It also fits around my valve cover but the cover has no way of retaining the gasket. I am going to use The Right Stuff on the valve cover, slap the gasket on it and let it dry overnight. Then I will install it dry on the head portion. Hopefully the bolts are long enough to overcome the added 0.187".
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
Get "Mr. Gasket" gaskets.. they are 3x times as tall as stock valve cover gaskets in my opinion. They are cork with a rubber film on each side. You could even do two gaskets.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
Since composite covers use "spaghetti" seal there isn't anything to get cork gasket from moving. Spacer is a available, but not with roller rockers. Another area of concern is alternator bracket interference. Canton make a tall cover set.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
I like a stock looking engine even though the canton solution looks damn cool.. But I guess once your do roller rockers you arent stock anymore so Id likely go with the cantons that have the depression on the drivers side for the alternator. they reallysqueezed the alternator in there.. or I THINK you can buy a thinner alternator.. things just keep getting more and more expensive once you start messing with the recipe that is the LT1. If it were me Id see if a gasket would give me the clearance and then spend the big bucks if I had too. You can find slighly damaged cantons on ebay from time to time but even those arent super cheap.
FYI my eyeball of the Mr. gasket gasket says 1/4". Not sure how tall stock is because mine were factory and squashed pretty good and leaking badly.
Last edited by barchetta1; Feb 25, 2020 at 02:36 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,356
Likes: 291
From: MA
I went with the Mr. Gasket cork/rubber gasket and The Right Stuff on my composite valve covers to keep them in place. No sealant used on the heads.
Hopefully this will hold up. We shall see.
I don't like the looks of the Cantons to be honest. A lot of the reviews on Summit Racing are poor for the Canton valve covers.
The breather and oil fill are on the wrong side. I also saw that people were unhappy with fitment, hitting the wiper motor, AC box and I even read that although they have a relief for the alternator it still hits it. All for $265.00!
Honestly it's hard to believe there are not many choices for aftermarket valve covers.
It looks like the stock composite covers like I have are being used by Camaro and Impala SS owners who have modified their LTx.
Hopefully this will hold up. We shall see.
I don't like the looks of the Cantons to be honest. A lot of the reviews on Summit Racing are poor for the Canton valve covers.
The breather and oil fill are on the wrong side. I also saw that people were unhappy with fitment, hitting the wiper motor, AC box and I even read that although they have a relief for the alternator it still hits it. All for $265.00!
Honestly it's hard to believe there are not many choices for aftermarket valve covers.
It looks like the stock composite covers like I have are being used by Camaro and Impala SS owners who have modified their LTx.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
I went with the Mr. Gasket cork/rubber gasket and The Right Stuff on my composite valve covers to keep them in place. No sealant used on the heads.
Hopefully this will hold up. We shall see.
I don't like the looks of the Cantons to be honest. A lot of the reviews on Summit Racing are poor for the Canton valve covers.
The breather and oil fill are on the wrong side. I also saw that people were unhappy with fitment, hitting the wiper motor, AC box and I even read that although they have a relief for the alternator it still hits it. All for $265.00!
Honestly it's hard to believe there are not many choices for aftermarket valve covers.
It looks like the stock composite covers like I have are being used by Camaro and Impala SS owners who have modified their LTx.
Hopefully this will hold up. We shall see.
I don't like the looks of the Cantons to be honest. A lot of the reviews on Summit Racing are poor for the Canton valve covers.
The breather and oil fill are on the wrong side. I also saw that people were unhappy with fitment, hitting the wiper motor, AC box and I even read that although they have a relief for the alternator it still hits it. All for $265.00!
Honestly it's hard to believe there are not many choices for aftermarket valve covers.
It looks like the stock composite covers like I have are being used by Camaro and Impala SS owners who have modified their LTx.
I take it by your post the gasket gave you the clearance you needed for your rockers?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,356
Likes: 291
From: MA
I hope they work for us both! I wonder if there isnt an off the shelf alternator that is smaller that could be substituted. Then the market would be wide open for covers. I know Ive seen slimmer models but they were not cheap at all.. like $300+..
I take it by your post the gasket gave you the clearance you needed for your rockers?
I take it by your post the gasket gave you the clearance you needed for your rockers?
The Proform valve covers come in black with a red Chevrolet logo embossed on it. To me it looks pretty nice. But it looks like it may hit the alternator.
Not sure about the Mobil One oil and cork/rubber gasket. I can't see how it would make much of a difference. I've used Mobil One on my old 1983 Z28 Camaro that I use to own and I beat the snot out of it. Several drag passes and hard street driving. Both the 305 HO and after a new ZZ3 350 crate motor. Both motors had cork gaskets and no leaks. Maybe I was just lucky.
Last edited by grandspt; Feb 25, 2020 at 08:19 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
Yes, the gasket 0.187" was what I needed to clear the polylocks. And now it still looks stock. Which is the look I am after.
The Proform valve covers come in black with a red Chevrolet logo embossed on it. To me it looks pretty nice. But it looks like it may hit the alternator.
Not sure about the Mobil One oil and cork/rubber gasket. I can't see how it would make much of a difference. I've used Mobil One on my old 1983 Z28 Camaro that I use to own and I beat the snot out of it. Several drag passes and hard street driving. Both the 305 HO and after a new ZZ3 350 crate motor. Both motors had cork gaskets and no leaks. Maybe I was just lucky.
The Proform valve covers come in black with a red Chevrolet logo embossed on it. To me it looks pretty nice. But it looks like it may hit the alternator.
Not sure about the Mobil One oil and cork/rubber gasket. I can't see how it would make much of a difference. I've used Mobil One on my old 1983 Z28 Camaro that I use to own and I beat the snot out of it. Several drag passes and hard street driving. Both the 305 HO and after a new ZZ3 350 crate motor. Both motors had cork gaskets and no leaks. Maybe I was just lucky.