vortec valve covers

[JointTech]

So I got my chinese crap valve covers from summit painted and ready to go. Spend 2 days trying to find a gasket that fits. the 5088r is to small (i thought). Went back and forth with the parts guy and got some others that dont fit either.

Finally after some research I find out the factory vortec valve covers have 2 ridges and the gasket would sit in between them and stretch out and hold...
Chinese crap doesnt have the inner lip...
SO I find out I can use a felpro 1648 or a mr gasket 168. These are both cork not the nice rubber.

So now I'm thinking do I really want to even bother with this crap? Should I toss the $40 painted junk in the garbage and get some better ones? Seems like these are a leak waiting to happen. Im trying to do the drive train so my wife can drive this truck every once in a while with no problem. Leaking junk isnt what I want.

what do you think? New covers? Them things arent cheap.. I cant be bothered going to the junkyard anytime soon so theyd have to be bought online. Any idea what the GM ones would cost from the dealer? Any preferences on brand that doesnt break the bank completely?

[JointTech]

called the dealer. $70/each. Which puts them at the low end of price range if you look at summit and jeggs. I think that may be a first!!!
I was so shocked it took him less than a minute to look them up without 9000 questions I forgot to ask what they look like.

[hugger6933]

If it would help you any, the covers off of a TBI motor[or an LT1] would work as well. I might have an extra set laying under one of my benches at the shop if your not opposed to used V/C's. I have painted some with VHT's aluminum paint and they look pretty darn good or even painted Chevy orange now that is really pretty. If you'd like I will look for those V/C's tomorrow when I get to the shop. Jim

[JointTech]

Originally Posted by hugger6933

If it would help you any, the covers off of a TBI motor[or an LT1] would work as well. I might have an extra set laying under one of my benches at the shop if your not opposed to used V/C's. I have painted some with VHT's aluminum paint and they look pretty darn good or even painted Chevy orange now that is really pretty. If you'd like I will look for those V/C's tomorrow when I get to the shop. Jim

Thanks for the offer! I appreciate it.

I just went to the dealer and ordered a set. Tired of messing with it. be here tuesday.

[87Skier]

I bought these: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/su...make/chevrolet

Fit pretty good, had the inner lip, but ultimately ended up tacking the valve gaskets in with rtv. No leaks and finish was good, they also have plain ones.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by JointTech

Thanks for the offer! I appreciate it.

I just went to the dealer and ordered a set. Tired of messing with it. be here tuesday.

The factory center bolt valve covers are almost leak-proof. I re-use the gaskets on them all the time and no problems so far.

I once tried to use Corvette magnesium center-bolt valve-covers on 1986 Aluminum Corvette heads with ram's horn manifolds and had a clearance problem as the lip hung too far over onto the manifold.

[Already Gone]

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