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Topic: center-bolt valve cover issue

in Forum: C3 Engines


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Re: center-bolt valve cover issue (15/25)
 5/1/12 10:19pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

What happened, from my unnerstanding, is the castings on the newer style heads were designed to be thinner/smaller. There really was no room for the casting to support the perimeter style covers. That, and the newer heads had raised, and machined rails for the cover gaskets to seal against. With the sides if the castings raised, and machined, they could get a good seal with the center bolt design without leaks(yeah right...how's that workin out, GM?)...
The really good thing aboot them is you don't have to worry aboot dropping one of the friggin bolts down behind the exhaust manifold anymore....LOL


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Re: center-bolt valve cover issue (16/25)
 5/2/12 2:08am
daveo76
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

VikingVette: thanks for the input.  I knew about the adapters, but I didn't think they were worth it for my L-48 orange jobs.  If I had a set of the finned aluminum ones that would be a different story, but....

Joel: thanks for the explanation about why they went this way.  I was hoping it was to improve the leaking situation, but it sounds like the improvements may not have worked.... I'm going to hope it works out for me.  These guys came with the heads I bought - I was going to toss them but I decided to clean them up, paint, and see what they looked like.  They turned out OK and I actually like the look of the center-bolts.  I'm going to look for some stainless or black replacement bolts for 'em. 

I'm going to do my best to make these leak free, but if that doesn't work out I'll go with a set of finned aluminum covers.  We'll see!


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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: center-bolt valve cover issue (17/25)
 5/2/12 5:39am
VikingVette
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Greer, SC - USA

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1978 Black with Viking mural painted under hood AM/FM/CB radio, T-top and a 2013 Cyber Gray Grand Sport Coupe, 2LT for my daily driver


Joined: 3/13/2012
Posts: 264

Dave,
If you have an ACE hardware store near you, they carry a huge selection of chrome and stainless bolt, nuts, washers and caps..  If you do not want the shine, then definately black to make them disappear


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Warning: The surgeon general has declared that it is NOT unhealthy to smoke your competition AND I just discovered that my corvette is a hybred.  It burns gas and rubber! 
Re: center-bolt valve cover issue (18/25)
 5/2/12 10:33am
daveo76
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

Yep, I do have an Ace very close to where I live and, believe me, I use that awesome selection of hardware all the time!  Way better than Home Depot.  I'm going to go look at their stainless selection and see if they have anything, but I'm not sure they'll have bolts that long.  I went online last night and found a set of ARP stainless last night for about $22 - that may end up being my best bet.  

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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: center-bolt valve cover issue (19/25)
 5/2/12 6:05pm
annicorvetteLifetime Member
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BILOXI, MS - USA

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1969 rag top


Joined: 12/8/2001
Posts: 547

can't help with the problem just need to know where you obtained the valve covers? at present i want a set like that for a 327 im almost finished with.

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Annicorvette
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Re: center-bolt valve cover issue (20/25)
 5/2/12 7:27pm
DaveMLifetime Member
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Flanders, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.


Joined: 1/27/2004
Posts: 2552

annicorvette said: can't help with the problem just need to know where you obtained the valve covers? at present i want a set like that for a 327 im almost finished with.

 

I have a pair (same as the first picture, black) They are from a ZZ4 and I did not use them. Don't know if they will work for you or not.

Dave




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Re: center-bolt valve cover issue (21/25)
 5/2/12 7:43pm
annicorvetteLifetime Member
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BILOXI, MS - USA

Vette(s):
1969 rag top


Joined: 12/8/2001
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dave do the covers come with the bolts-- how much you want for the covers and can you e-mail pic to  annicorvette@hotmail.com

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Annicorvette
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Re: center-bolt valve cover issue (22/25)
 5/2/12 8:36pm
annicorvetteLifetime Member
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BILOXI, MS - USA

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1969 rag top


Joined: 12/8/2001
Posts: 547

Dave -- some pics of the engine i want to put the covers on are at

 
and before you ask yes that is my homemade teststand the engine is on at the present time.


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Annicorvette
Lifetime member # 35

Re: center-bolt valve cover issue (23/25)
 5/2/12 9:22pm
DaveMLifetime Member
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Flanders, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.


Joined: 1/27/2004
Posts: 2552

I'll try to get pictures of them tomorrow after work.
Dave


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Dave's '82


   

Re: center-bolt valve cover issue (24/25)
 5/2/12 9:25pm
daveo76
Former Member

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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

They'd also be available at most any wrecking yard, I'd guess.  '96 and later trucks (subs and tahoes, pickups, etc.) with a Vortec 350.  And lots of cars and trucks ('87 and later) had center-bolts, too.  

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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: center-bolt valve cover issue (25/25)
 5/4/12 2:30am
daveo76
Former Member

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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

VikingVette:  the Ace plan worked.  $10 bought me (8) 1/4-20 x 3 1/2 stainless bolts and washers. They're just regular hex head, not Allens, but I think they still look pretty good.  (they did have allen cap screws, but they didn't have the half inch sizes and they cost 3 times as much). 

Middle bolt is original, other two are the new ones:



Pic also demonstrates the use of Calyx exhaust manifold dressing.  I'm pretty impressed with that stuff so far, but my camera flash highlighted some areas I missed!  


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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
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