[ajorda14]

Hey guys I just bought those new GM cast aluminum valve covers, for gm parts direct. I paid $140 out the door. I am sick of screwing around with those cheapy chrome covers.

They look like these ones. I've heard good things about them.



Anyways I need to buy new gaskets, I looked online at partsamerica.com,

1) they have standard gaskets and the (ram air/HO) gaskets. What is the difference?

2)Does anybody know what breather hole size is for these covers, I know a few guys have them already. I'll need to pick up up at the local auto store.

3)any special tips to installing these bad boy's leak free?

thanks guys.

[KS circutguy]

Mr. Gasket Ultra's are what I use, X-tra thick and cork to boot.
Super weather strip 3M glue to V-cover side and install.
BTW; nice covers, I want 'Santa' to get me a set this Christmas!lol
Breather looks to be standard size, Moroso makes those and come with the grommets.

[Speargun]

Are they tall enough to clear 1.65 roller rockers?

[TransAm525]

No. They require either spacers or grinding the edge of the forward and rear rocker arms for clearance.

[Brad B. Hillebrand]

That's a good deal, the parts houses what $195.....what is the web address for gm parts direct sale?

Brad

[blizzard9500]

Great looking covers, I had a set but did take them back, they will not clear the 1.5 Harland Sharpe rockers even with spacers, contact was made on the top edge of 2 rockers where the top hold down boss on the valve cover dip inwards, you can check this with a finger through groumet hole. Are you going to put a coat of clear on them to help keep them clean? If they ever would become too dirty I always wanted to paint the entire valve cover and then polish out the emblem and the raised Pontiac lettering. I think they would be an awesome looking cover then, Dave.

[Nickv]

Originally Posted by blizzard9500

Great looking covers, I had a set but did take them back, they will not clear the 1.5 Harland Sharpe rockers even with spacers, contact was made on the top edge of 2 rockers where the top hold down boss on the valve cover dip inwards, you can check this with a finger through groumet hole. Are you going to put a coat of clear on them to help keep them clean? If they ever would become too dirty I always wanted to paint the entire valve cover and then polish out the emblem and the raised Pontiac lettering. I think they would be an awesome looking cover then, Dave.

All you had to do was grind down the back end of two rockers on each side just a little bit and they will clear just fine. I have these on my 72 with 1.65 roller rockers. No problems at all.

[blizzard9500]

Yes, that would work, it also would void the warranty on the roller rockers, a chance I was not willing to take over a pair of valve covers, Dave.

[cblandin]

Those valve covers clearly state they are for stock valvetrains - aftermarket aluminum rockers aren't stock - they work exactly as advertised. As an FYI, I am using them with stainless 1.65 rockers. I need to pull off one of the covers now that I've finished the engine break-in to verify there hasn't been any contact as even they are very close to the bolt boss.

[Speargun]

Let us know how it turns out. I plan on using Crower stainless 1.65 rockers and would like to use these valve covers.

[harry k]

1.22" breather hole size ,they will not clear aftermarket full roller rocker arms,you ned to buy alluminum valve cover spacers if you full roller rocker arms .

[harry k]

pic

[Skip Fix]

The boss they rub is all the way up so I don't think a spacer will help. They seemed to have room on my Norris SS and Crower SS rockers but only on mock up.

[gearbanger]

I have the HS 1.65 rockers, they rub the bolt hole groove on the valve cover. The second rocker from each end need to be rounded off a little to clear. There is plenty of room at the top for the polylocks and rockers. It is the big blocky pushrod ends that rub the valve covers. Wheelspin posted a good post last week on what you need to do.