Topic: Drip Rails in Valve Covers - Required?
in Forum: C3 Engines
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I have a 72 with a 454 that a previous owner has installed roller rockers on. I want to replace my valve covers with new chrome ones but I am having a hard time finding any that are tall enough to accommodate the roller rockers and also clear the power brake booster. I found a pair that look like chromed original GM covers but they do not have drip rails. I understand the drip rails direct oil to the rocker arms. Is it critical to have the drip rails?
Mario
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Duncanville, TX - USA
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Only if you plan on having it Judged. With the roller rockers, the drippers are not really needed. 
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"
COOL! My car is definitely a driver! No intention of ever having it judged. Thanks!
Mario
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
The drippers were really only there to re-direct the oil squirting from the pushrods down onto the pivot balls in the stock rockers. Not that the pivots don't get any oil at all, but with the splayed valves on the big block, the oil would squirt in all different directions....usually right up into the PCV valve, or the filler cap hole.
Small blocks never used drippers. Not ALL big blocks had them, either. I can't remember what the qualification was for whether or not they had them.
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"
Thanks Joel you are truly a wealth of Corvette knowledge! Now my next question - do you have a gasket sealer preference for the rear cover? I would want to use the same sealer for my gas tank filler neck. Is there one suitable for both?
Mario
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
persico said:Now my next question - do you have a gasket sealer preference for the rear cover? I would want to use the same sealer for my gas tank filler neck. Is there one suitable for both?
Rear cover? Of what?
The fuel tank filler tube should have a cork gasket, iirc....
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"
Sorry got my threads mixed up. Though I was in the differential fluid thread it's the Dif cover I was asking about the gasket cement for. As far as the filler neck. I bought a replacement tank pkg from Corvette Central and they supplied a rubber or neoprene gasket for the filler neck with new screws. I'm thinking no sealer on that? Thanks again!
Mario
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
Ya...the rubber type gasket needs to go on dry.
On the diff cover, I use an anaerobic sealant, but you can use silicon if ya want....it'll work just fine.
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"
in Forum: C3 Engines
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