which valve covers are better?
 

Which valve covers are better for a 402BB polished alum. or chrome? Thanks

aluminum generally gives a more even seal than chrome plated steel covers, which tend to dimple at the bolt holes... aluminum is more rigid and the force is more evenly distributed.

It would be great to have some pics of Alum. and chrome valve covers for 402 BB.Thank you.

Aluminum would be better since they won't bend if you over torque them, but chrome makes the engine more powerful!! ;)
Chrome is good for about 20-40 HP just ask any of the ricers, they'll tell you.

I bought aluminum for mine but wish I would have went with the chromed aluminum. (small block). Think they would have been a lot easier to keep clean and nice.

Here's a pic of my aluminum valve covers on my bb.

http://www.myoldtruck.com/Gallery/da...stalled241.jpg

Here are the ones that I have and I like the aluminum for the sealing benefits discussed earlier....

I've got chrome, and I'm thinking i might just go back to the stockers, I polished up my new aluminum intake and they leak onto it every few weeks if i don't keep my eyes on em and tighten them up every so often, chrome is just a P.I.T.A in my opinion

I prefer aluminum over chrome as you can always bring it back to a nice finish. With chrome once it peels or gets scratched you must replate it to restore it, later Doug

Aluminum seals better lasts longer.

Take a dremel tool and rough up the inside of the chrome covers where the gasket sets before installing and most of leaks will end!

Aluminum, hands down.....not only do they seal better, but they get rid of heat better ! chrome holds the heat in, & will freakin fry the chit out of your knuckles when hot(big cuss words). crazyL :burnout:

I like the GM late model covers. They are alum with o-rings instead of gaskets...seal real nice with no goo or glue.

I have the ones in Pickmup's pic (in fact I got them from him), and am very happy with them. No more leaks, and they look good too! That O-ring seal is a great improvement IMO. :bowtie:

Do the holes line up on those? Do you just not use some of them? I'm Confused???

They were a direct bolt-on for me, just clean the surface area of the top of the heads really well to insure a good seal. I used studs and nuts instead of bolts to secure them, that allowed me to loc-tite the studs to the heads in order to keep them where they belong. They have made a believer out of me, I'll never use steel valve covers again given the choice.