Topic: center-bolt valve cover issue
in Forum: C3 Engines
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Greer, SC - USA
Joined: 3/13/2012
Posts: 264
Vette(s): 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
Stupid keyboard.....I have a ZZ4 NOT a ZZR in my '78
Life is tough enough without having to live it dumb like I am!!!!!!!!
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!
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
Normal positions for most small blocks have the PCV valve at the front on the driver side, and the breather(tube to air cleaner) at the rear on the pass side, with the oil fill at the rear of the driver side.
˙˙˙˙spɹɐoqʎǝʞ pıdooʇs ʇooqɐ uɐǝɯ ɐʎ ʇɐɥʍ ʍouʞ ı˙˙˙ʍʇq
|UPDATED|5/1/2012 10:00:52 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
˙˙˙˙spɹɐoqʎǝʞ pıdooʇs ʇooqɐ uɐǝɯ ɐʎ ʇɐɥʍ ʍouʞ ı˙˙˙ʍʇq|UPDATED|5/1/2012 10:00:52 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Former Member
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Greer, SC - USA
Joined: 3/13/2012
Posts: 264
Vette(s): 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
thanks Joel, I needed that. 15 hour day yesterday...looks like a 14 hour day today...AAARRRGGGGHHH
. So my breather on the passenger side (towards the rear) is also the oil fill hole.....that just doesn't sound right does it..."the oil fill hole" (especially towards the rear...can you tell I have been putting in long hours)...ewwww!
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!
Here's a dumb question,why did the General change from the old style 4 bolt system to the top bolt valve covers,I think they are ugly .why mess with somethin that worked for years 
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
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....
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....
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"
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!
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.
Former Member
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Greer, SC - USA
Joined: 3/13/2012
Posts: 264
Vette(s): 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
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
Annicorvette
Lifetime member # 35 
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
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
in Forum: C3 Engines
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