Home page
SPONSOR AD

Support our Vendors!  |  Advertise Here

Topic: Moving from stamped steel valve covers to aluminum

in Forum: C3 Engines


Already a Member?
Login
Not yet a Member?
Register for Free!

Moving from stamped steel valve covers to aluminum (1/9)
 9/21/15 1:34pm
Jasond56
Former Member

Send Private Message

Kenosha, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Corvette Stingray Coupe VIN 1Z37J3S418986 350 L-48 Automatic T-Tops St. Louis Assembly, 18,986th car built in 1973, Paint = 976 Mille Miglia Red, Interior = 425 Dark Red Vinyl (Ox Blood)


Joined: 5/7/2014
Posts: 154

Good Afternoon Guys!

Originally, the 1973 L48 came with stamped steel valve covers.  Looking to replace as mine are beat up and after pricing out refinishing, it's out of my price range to do so.  Is there an issue with moving to aluminum valve covers instead?

Thank you!

Jason D.


______________
"You know, we always called each other goodfellas. Like you'd say to somebody: You're gonna like this guy, he's all right. He's a goodfella. He's one of us. You understand?"




Our Sponsors help support C3VR
Re: Moving from stamped steel valve covers to aluminum (2/9)
 9/21/15 4:17pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

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

You'll need longer bolts to hold them on, the proper grommets for the breather tube and PCV valve, but other than that, go for it! Thumbs Up
There MAY be an issue with the height of them, depending on what ya get. Some covers are taller than the factory aluminuminum covers, which can make it tough to get them under the A/C compressor....


______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Re: Moving from stamped steel valve covers to aluminum (3/9)
 9/21/15 6:31pm
Jasond56
Former Member

Send Private Message

Kenosha, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Corvette Stingray Coupe VIN 1Z37J3S418986 350 L-48 Automatic T-Tops St. Louis Assembly, 18,986th car built in 1973, Paint = 976 Mille Miglia Red, Interior = 425 Dark Red Vinyl (Ox Blood)


Joined: 5/7/2014
Posts: 154

Thank you, Adams!  The "while I'm here" hole goes deeper...LOL!

Would you mind following these links?  I'd really like your opinion on what I'd like to order.  I'm pretty sure they will all work.  Just looking for a second opinion.  The only thing I am unsure of are the grommets.  Do I need to do any drilling out if I use longer valve cover bolts?

Thank you!

Valve covers - http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corvette-aluminum-valve-cover-show-quality-1969-1982.html

Bolts - http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corvette-valve-cover-bolts-aluminum-small-block-1964-1986early.html

Left hand grommet:http://www.corvettepartsworldwide.com/product_p/33470.htm

Right hand grommet: http://www.corvettepartsworldwide.com/Corvette_Parts_69_84_Vent_Tube_Grommet_RH_Alumin_p/33457.htm

Valve cover reinforcements: http://www.corvettepartsworldwide.com/Corvette_Parts_68_82_Valve_Cover_Bolt_Reinforceme_p/33612.htm










______________
"You know, we always called each other goodfellas. Like you'd say to somebody: You're gonna like this guy, he's all right. He's a goodfella. He's one of us. You understand?"




Re: Moving from stamped steel valve covers to aluminum (4/9)
 9/21/15 10:17pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

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

Those will work fine.If you click on the "related items" there, you'll find the grommets, the bolts, and the filler cap for those valve covers. Might as well get all of the stuff from the same place, if those are the valve covers you're going to get. No drilling, or any other mods will be needed...just throw some new gaskets on, and bolt em down. Thumbs Up

You do NOT need the "Reinforcement" pieces with aluminuminum valve covers.

You realize there is NO CURE for this disease, right? LOL


______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Re: Moving from stamped steel valve covers to aluminum (5/9)
 9/23/15 9:28pm
Jasond56
Former Member

Send Private Message

Kenosha, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Corvette Stingray Coupe VIN 1Z37J3S418986 350 L-48 Automatic T-Tops St. Louis Assembly, 18,986th car built in 1973, Paint = 976 Mille Miglia Red, Interior = 425 Dark Red Vinyl (Ox Blood)


Joined: 5/7/2014
Posts: 154

Thanks, Adams!  Ordering them this weekend! 

Good to know about not needing the reinforcements.  I figured since they were aluminum, reinforcements would definitely be needed.  Saved me money...again!  Thumbs Up

No cure for the disease, but it's a disease I'm happy to have!!

Jason D.

|UPDATED|9/23/2015 6:28:58 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


______________
"You know, we always called each other goodfellas. Like you'd say to somebody: You're gonna like this guy, he's all right. He's a goodfella. He's one of us. You understand?"




Re: Moving from stamped steel valve covers to aluminum (6/9)
 9/25/15 11:21pm
73shark
Limited Member
Send Private Message

Overland Park, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.


Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 864

The factory aluminum covers weren't polished.  You might check w/ the vendor to see if their's are.  I had mine polished and they look like chrome now.  Of course they now require periodic polishing but worth it for the improved looks.

______________

1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: Moving from stamped steel valve covers to aluminum (7/9)
 9/29/15 10:46am
Willis76Lifetime Member
Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Rockland, MA - USA

Vette(s):
76, L48, 4spd & 09, LS3, 6spd


Joined: 1/30/2003
Posts: 584

Adams' Apple said: You'll need longer bolts to hold them on, the proper grommets for the breather tube and PCV valve, but other than that, go for it! Thumbs Up
There MAY be an issue with the height of them, depending on what ya get. Some covers are taller than the factory aluminuminum covers, which can make it tough to get them under the A/C compressor....

I replaced mine a few years back and did have an issue with the A/C compressor, just needed to move it a bit and buy a longer belt. Also suggest getting the felpro gaskets - while you're at it. Thumbs Up



______________

 

 

Re: Moving from stamped steel valve covers to aluminum (8/9)
 9/29/15 11:00am
F4GaryGold Member
Gold Member
Send Private Message

Grapevine, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air.


Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1406

Gotta love the first line in the description, "Owner's of C3 Corvettes with 1969-1977 LT-1".  Wacko

______________

   

Re: Moving from stamped steel valve covers to aluminum (9/9)
 9/29/15 1:21pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

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

 LOL I saw that too...but I'm sure there are plenty of '69-'77 Corvettes with LT1s in them, factory or not. Actually, the L82 engines used the same style valve covers. Big smile

______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Our Sponsors help support C3VR