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04-15-2004, 01:58 AM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Fletcher,N.C U.S.A
Posts: 162
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which valve covers are better?
Which valve covers are better for a 402BB polished alum. or chrome? Thanks
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04-15-2004, 02:05 AM
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#2 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: escondido, ca 92026
Posts: 1,222
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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.
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'72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project Last edited by bigvinnie; 04-15-2004 at 02:08 AM. |
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04-15-2004, 02:09 AM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Fletcher,N.C U.S.A
Posts: 162
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It would be great to have some pics of Alum. and chrome valve covers for 402 BB.Thank you.
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04-15-2004, 11:14 AM
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#4 |
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Careful, they attack...
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Waterford, MI, USA
Posts: 1,107
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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. |
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04-15-2004, 12:48 PM
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#5 |
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Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: East Central, MO
Posts: 11,339
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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.
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04-15-2004, 01:00 PM
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#6 |
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Post Whore
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA
Posts: 12,683
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Here's a pic of my aluminum valve covers on my bb.
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1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14 |
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04-15-2004, 01:53 PM
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#7 |
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Recovering 67-72 Addict
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: North Bend, WA
Posts: 1,788
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Here are the ones that I have and I like the aluminum for the sealing benefits discussed earlier....
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68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women" |
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04-15-2004, 02:03 PM
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#8 |
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The Sauz
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Chilliwack BC, Canada
Posts: 149
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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
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68 lwb 2wd (spread between 3 garages) 72 Burb - Flat Deck 92 Yukon 3" lift - 33's - the new bush pig 01 Sierra - Daily Driver (for now) |
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04-15-2004, 03:50 PM
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#9 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada
Posts: 1,086
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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
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04-16-2004, 08:17 AM
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#10 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: WHITEVILLE N.C.
Posts: 493
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Aluminum seals better lasts longer.
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72 CHEYENNE 10 SUPER 468/400/3.73 |
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05-19-2004, 07:28 PM
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#11 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: The Other Maine!
Posts: 2,236
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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!
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05-19-2004, 08:26 PM
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#12 |
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Fabricate till you "puke"
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Ill
Posts: 9,403
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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
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69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears.... |
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05-19-2004, 11:51 PM
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#13 |
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"Trucks with Class"
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA
Posts: 8,119
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I like the GM late model covers. They are alum with o-rings instead of gaskets...seal real nice with no goo or glue.
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05-20-2004, 12:00 AM
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#14 |
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Half a bubble off!
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Winfield, Ks, USA
Posts: 5,588
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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.
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Just call me LB.  '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads. |
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05-20-2004, 12:07 AM
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#15 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Cypress, Tx
Posts: 4,006
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Do the holes line up on those? Do you just not use some of them? I'm Confused???
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1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE |
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05-20-2004, 12:31 AM
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#16 |
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Half a bubble off!
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Winfield, Ks, USA
Posts: 5,588
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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.
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Just call me LB. '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads. |
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