Valve Cover Gasket
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 431
Likes: 1
From: Lexington, NC
Valve Cover Gasket My valve cover gaskets are leaking horribly on both banks. I am looking into replacing the gaskets soon, and possibly doing a cosmetic upgrade by replacing the old covers with some new ones.
Do any of you recommend a certain brand of gasket that I should run, or is the OEM about as good as any other? Also, as far as the covers go, who makes aftermarket covers that will fit? I have been asked once before if I have the stock alternator mount, and I do. I am not sure if that matters or not. All information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Bryan
Do any of you recommend a certain brand of gasket that I should run, or is the OEM about as good as any other? Also, as far as the covers go, who makes aftermarket covers that will fit? I have been asked once before if I have the stock alternator mount, and I do. I am not sure if that matters or not. All information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Bryan
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 0
From: St. Augustine, FL
About $17.00 at partsamerica.com Click the link and put in your zip code. Not sure if your familiar with partsamerica but, you can search for availability in participating stores (advance auto parts, kragen, checkers, and shcuck's auto supply) and then buy it and pick it up or just have it deliverred. here's the link:
LT1 Felpro Valve Cover Gasket
LT1 Felpro Valve Cover Gasket
There really isn't a aftermarket of valve covers for the LT1. The reason for the alternator question is due to the fact that the passenger side valve cover is recessed on the front to clear it. If your stockers are still in decent shape, clean them up and maybe get creative with them and paint them yourself or have someone else do it.
Launching!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Las Cruces, NM
they do make valve covers for our cars, but you still have to trim the alt to fit. it wont hurt anything. and you wont even notive it. if you go to jegs they have them there in the tpi/lt1/ls1 section.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 0
From: St. Augustine, FL
Originally Posted by bmccrary
Thanks guys! Looks like that will do the trick. Any ideas on the valve covers?
-bryan
-bryan
I tried a pair of chrome valve covers that resembled the stockers but, there was a problem with the lip that holds the gasket in place. The gaskets would not stay in place and it was impossible to flip them upside down and stay put to seat them right. I ended up keeping the stockers for now. Going to Composites next.
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 431
Likes: 1
From: Lexington, NC
By trimming the alt you mean like taking a dremel and just grinding off the bottom corner some?
One of the reasons we need to replace the valve covers is because the filler neck wont stay tight on the valve cover, it rattles loose and just kinda sits there. It maybe a problem with in the filler neck, too. But I am not sure.
Any ideas on about how much of the alt I will have to take off. or is there some sort of bracket that will move the alt?
Thanks
Bryan
One of the reasons we need to replace the valve covers is because the filler neck wont stay tight on the valve cover, it rattles loose and just kinda sits there. It maybe a problem with in the filler neck, too. But I am not sure.
Any ideas on about how much of the alt I will have to take off. or is there some sort of bracket that will move the alt?
Thanks
Bryan
12 Second Club
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 0
From: Chitown
The valve cover gasket is rubber. I like the fel-pros.
As for valve covers Canton makes a really nice set. They are all welded corners and has a couple spots for pcv breathers and has a recessed spot for the alternator. The only reason I havent bought them is cause when I called Canton the person I spoke to said that he wasnt sure if they would fit with my RRs (Crower 1.6s) He said a slim set of RRs are best clearace for these covers. So I cant bring myself down to cut a set of $230 valve covers. Maybe in the future
As for valve covers Canton makes a really nice set. They are all welded corners and has a couple spots for pcv breathers and has a recessed spot for the alternator. The only reason I havent bought them is cause when I called Canton the person I spoke to said that he wasnt sure if they would fit with my RRs (Crower 1.6s) He said a slim set of RRs are best clearace for these covers. So I cant bring myself down to cut a set of $230 valve covers. Maybe in the future
Launching!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Las Cruces, NM
its just a small tab on the back of the alt that has to be trimmed. it needs about an extra inch maybe less. but i am serious that if you get them then you will see how much or little needs to come off. the ones my friend has are the black crinkle finish chevy valvecovers.(#778-141-131) from jegs. it is to simple. and we actually used a hack saw. the dremel kept breaking bits
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 431
Likes: 1
From: Lexington, NC
Ok, so it is not the housing of the alt that needs to be trimmed, it just some sort of bracket? Tomorrow morning I will go and see what it is yall are talking about it and then I will go from there.
Thanks for the help. I will look into the Cantons and the ones from Jegs. If worse comes to worse I might get some one to airbrush Camaro or Z28 or something onto the covers. I just want to get the leak fixed and figure out how to get that stupid filler neck to stay tight. I hoping this will give me a reason to clean up my engine bay and invest some time in it.
-bryan
Thanks for the help. I will look into the Cantons and the ones from Jegs. If worse comes to worse I might get some one to airbrush Camaro or Z28 or something onto the covers. I just want to get the leak fixed and figure out how to get that stupid filler neck to stay tight. I hoping this will give me a reason to clean up my engine bay and invest some time in it.
-bryan
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 431
Likes: 1
From: Lexington, NC
Ok, so I just looked at the Cantons and the Jegs. I just can't justify spending that much money of valve covers. Wow, espically those Cantons! I think I will just try to clean up the stockers and have them painted or something. I know some guys that are really good with airbrushes, they paint bodies for RC cars... I might do something with that.
Oh and those Felpro gaskets are they good for synthetic oil? I have heard somewhere that synthetic oils and some gaskets do not mix well...?
-bryan
Oh and those Felpro gaskets are they good for synthetic oil? I have heard somewhere that synthetic oils and some gaskets do not mix well...?
-bryan
