Ls1 Valve Covers on LS3 heads.
05-31-2011, 03:49 PM
#1
Ls1 Valve Covers on LS3 heads. Ok, I didn't want to spend $300+ on valve covers that don't help performance in any way so this is what I did. I have LS3 heads on my 416 with LS1 covers and LS1 valve cover bolts. (They are like $4 brand new from the dealer.) My rubbers broke.
Stupid oil baffle.
Come off!
Now to get off those rivet style studs.
Bitches
Getting there
Grind time
The one on the right is about 75% ground down. The one on the left is factory.
Pile of aluminum
Covers all done.
High Temp Semi Gloss Paint. I was going to go with some crazy color but decided to go with the classic black. I think I'll try to make everything in the engine bay a nice semi gloss black. The paint isn't the smoothest, but I wasn't really going for show quality, just a clean look.
Not too shabby looking.
Success
LS1 Valve Cover Bolts - Part Number 12577215 $4.42 Dealer price, $2.59 GM parts direct.
Stupid oil baffle.
Come off!
Now to get off those rivet style studs.
Bitches
Getting there
Grind time
The one on the right is about 75% ground down. The one on the left is factory.
Pile of aluminum
Covers all done.
High Temp Semi Gloss Paint. I was going to go with some crazy color but decided to go with the classic black. I think I'll try to make everything in the engine bay a nice semi gloss black. The paint isn't the smoothest, but I wasn't really going for show quality, just a clean look.
Not too shabby looking.
Success
LS1 Valve Cover Bolts - Part Number 12577215 $4.42 Dealer price, $2.59 GM parts direct.
Last edited by ultradriver10000; 06-06-2011 at 08:01 AM.
05-31-2011, 05:19 PM
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Indeed. I see some machine them out of a solid block of high grade aluminum... what the hell man? The things a damn cover that keeps crap out of the engine and the oil in. I don't think I've ever seen a post where someone said, "Oh man... engine just blew up... damn these faulty valve covers!"
06-02-2011, 03:31 PM
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I had to do something very similar to the covers I got off my 5.3L. baffles were a little different and cast, so dremel had to be used (along with about 3 dozen cut off wheels). nice to mod something yourself and save a ton of loot. glad to see someone did a writeup!
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06-03-2011, 01:03 AM
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Looks great! How was it getting the 4 main bolts out, and back in? I'm about to do the same with my valve covers and I'm trying to decide on preserving those bolts and rubber or replacing them.
06-03-2011, 12:11 PM
#10
Agreed, lol. Glad someone caught that one.
06-04-2011, 01:40 AM
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[QUOTE=ultradriver10000;14994834]The rubber on all my valve cover bolts ripped off. I purchased 8 new ones from the dealer at about $4.25 each. Mine were original equipment on my 1997 C5 so they were pretty old/dry rotted. Try rubbing some oil on them before you pull them out so they don't rip. I'll get the part number when I get home.
Cool, the part number would be helpful. Are the bolt/rubber sold together, or just the rubber seals individually? Another thing, did you remove the baffling and clearance the inside of the valve covers for rocker arm clearance? I am curious if you or anyone for that matter has had any interference issues using the stock valve covers. I would imagine that there could be clearance issues with aftermarket rockers, but I am asking more specifically about a stock rocker arm setup with a high lift cam. I'm not quite at the stage in my build to check for this fitment, but I sure wouldn't mind knowing ahead of time
Cool, the part number would be helpful. Are the bolt/rubber sold together, or just the rubber seals individually? Another thing, did you remove the baffling and clearance the inside of the valve covers for rocker arm clearance? I am curious if you or anyone for that matter has had any interference issues using the stock valve covers. I would imagine that there could be clearance issues with aftermarket rockers, but I am asking more specifically about a stock rocker arm setup with a high lift cam. I'm not quite at the stage in my build to check for this fitment, but I sure wouldn't mind knowing ahead of time
06-04-2011, 10:05 PM
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ultradriver10000:
Is that an air powered belt sander in the picture? Those things are so cool. In the past I have used air powered belt sanders for commerical die grinding.
- Greg
Grind time
Is that an air powered belt sander in the picture? Those things are so cool. In the past I have used air powered belt sanders for commerical die grinding.
- Greg
Grind time
06-06-2011, 12:15 PM
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I clearanced my valve covers yesterday. I had actually turned the engine on briefly when I first put it together so I saw where it was hitting. The only spot I'm really worried about is by the drivers side PCV vent. The cover is indented there so you can't really cut that out.
BTW, you can buy FelPro grommets and valve cover gaskets by themselves.
Part numbers should be:
ES72233 - Grommets (Full set of 8)
VS50504R - Gaskets (Pair of 2)
Autozone has them, I found them at a local auto parts place because the autozone by me doesn't stock the grommets, they have to be ordered.
Cost is around $28-35 with tax for the grommets+gaskets.
BTW, you can buy FelPro grommets and valve cover gaskets by themselves.
Part numbers should be:
ES72233 - Grommets (Full set of 8)
VS50504R - Gaskets (Pair of 2)
Autozone has them, I found them at a local auto parts place because the autozone by me doesn't stock the grommets, they have to be ordered.
Cost is around $28-35 with tax for the grommets+gaskets.
06-07-2011, 02:15 PM
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Curse you small valvecovers. Put it back together today, its hitting on the drivers side still. I bet its that damn PCV vent area.
Unfortunately, Hinson is out of the thicker valve cover gasket until July otherwise I would have went that route.
Unfortunately, Hinson is out of the thicker valve cover gasket until July otherwise I would have went that route.
06-08-2011, 08:38 AM
#19
Thanks man! Glad I could help. I know a lot of guys will be doing this so I figured I'd post up all the info I could.
06-08-2011, 05:56 PM
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Had a similar idea, tried it out today. Miserable failure. It seems that without operational pressure to the hydraulic lifters you lose lift. The consequence... none of the rockers hit when turning over the engine by hand or starter. Only when running and providing consistent operational oil pressure.