I have a stupid question about valve covers

[Pender1]

My valve covers leak oil like crazy, so I decided I'll replace covers and gaskets instead of trying to make sure my covers aren't warped and seal good. Given that I'm pulling all of the emissions stuff out of it, here's my stupid question:

What valve cover should I buy? By that I mean do I need the ones with one hole or 2 holes? And do I need to put a breather on them? I've seen some people have them and some don't. I'm still new to this truck thing, so I'm learning slowly.

 

[Skweegle89]

You need a hole in one side for the PCV valve and need to run a breather on the opposite side. The breather hole can double as your oil fill hole if you want.


Sent from an old rotary telephone.

 

[Pender1]

You need a hole in one side for the PCV valve and need to run a breather on the opposite side. The breather hole can double as your oil fill hole if you want.


Sent from an old rotary telephone.

So these would technically work?

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/mr.-gasket-valve-cover-9800/6121128-P?searchTerm=valve+cover

 

[Skweegle89]

I don't see why not. Check Amazon first though. Everything is cheaper from Amazon, and you can find those same covers there.


Sent from an old rotary telephone.

 

[Pender1]

I don't see why not. Check Amazon first though. Everything is cheaper from Amazon, and you can find those same covers there.


Sent from an old rotary telephone.

Thanks. I'm just looking at advance because I've got some store credit to burn.

 

[Skweegle89]

Well then heck yea. Just make sure to look at the obvious things, like that you have the perimeter bolts and not covers that bolt through the middle, and obviously that they will fit an sbc. Now might also be a good time to replace the PCV Valve and the rubber bushing that it goes in. They are only like $5.


Sent from an old rotary telephone.

 

[firebane]

So these would technically work?

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/mr.-gasket-valve-cover-9800/6121128-P?searchTerm=valve+cover

I have similar ones just make sure they are baffled.

Get some spreader bars and good gaskets too while your at it.

Also rough up with sandpaper the surfaces where the gasket sits for a better seal. I took 80 grit emory cloth to mine.

 

[Skweegle89]

Don't torque your bolts down too tight. Just snug. Fel pro makes some good cork gaskets for them if your covers don't already come with some.


Sent from an old rotary telephone.

 

[Pender1]

Awesome. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[rich weyand]

Then use these gaskets. Rubber with a steel core so they won't shift.
http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performance+Products/555/21100/10002/-1

And seal them with this. Clean both mating surfaces with lacquer thinner, then rub it in to both sides of the gasket and both mating surfaces, leaving a very thin layer.
http://www.amazon.com/T2566-Medium-Weight-Sealing-Compound/dp/B005NK45QM

Use some kind of pressure spreaders. I used both of these, the small ones on top of the hoops to add rigidity.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Trans-Dapt/969/4992/10002/-1?parentProductId=1619271
http://www.jegs.com/i/Proform/778/66292BKC/10002/-1?parentProductId=746299

I also used T-nuts, which I tighten finger-tight, so as not to overtighten them.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Spectre/865/5320/10002/-1

Overkill? Perhaps. But the damned things don't leak any more.