Chrome valve covers okay?
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Chrome valve covers okay?
Hello everyone,
I have a '63 ford F-100 with a 351M, I needed new valve covers and bought chrome Edelbrock valve covers. I was told that being in the FL heat I should have gone aluminum. I know aluminum is a better choice but I can not afford them right now. Should I return my current chrome valve covers and get plain steel valve covers?
Please keep in mind, money is tight. Full time college student.
Thanks!
I have a '63 ford F-100 with a 351M, I needed new valve covers and bought chrome Edelbrock valve covers. I was told that being in the FL heat I should have gone aluminum. I know aluminum is a better choice but I can not afford them right now. Should I return my current chrome valve covers and get plain steel valve covers?
Please keep in mind, money is tight. Full time college student.
Thanks!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 14
From: Tucson, Arizona
I don't think it matters so much whether they are aluminum or steel. Do you like the way they look? What DOES matter is how you install them. As Number Dummy has pointed out many times, people will overtorque the mount bolts, also torque them ununiformly, thereby warping them and causing them to leak oil. The torque value for rocker cover bolts is surprisingly small. When installing, make sure both surfaces (rocker cover and cylinder head) are clean. Use Edelbrock Gaskacinch or something similar to hold the gasket in place. Make sure the gasket is correctly positioned and the little tabs are through the positioning holes. Torque the mount bolts evenly and progressively to recommended specs. One advantage the steel covers have over the cast aluminum ones is that if you do warp them you may be able to true them up again by working them over on a flat surface. Good luck!
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
Same basic steel 8 bolt per side valve covers: 1970/74 351C / 1971/82 400 / 1975/82 351M / Why buy new when there are a gazillion used covers available?
351C = 1970/74 Ford/Merc Passenger Cars/Ranchero's / 351M = 1975/79 FoMoCo Passenger Cars / 400: 1971/79 FoMoCo Passenger Cars / 351M/400: 1977/79 F100/350, 1978/82 Bronco, 1980/82 F150/350.
Ford offered chrome valve covers as part of the "engine dress up kit" for 351C's & 1971/74 400's.
351C = 1970/74 Ford/Merc Passenger Cars/Ranchero's / 351M = 1975/79 FoMoCo Passenger Cars / 400: 1971/79 FoMoCo Passenger Cars / 351M/400: 1977/79 F100/350, 1978/82 Bronco, 1980/82 F150/350.
Ford offered chrome valve covers as part of the "engine dress up kit" for 351C's & 1971/74 400's.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
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From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Prefer aluminum over chrome, especailly if decide to go with aftermarket rims. In many cases the item comes with either a 'satin' or 'polished' finish, prefer the satin but found it is labor intensive keeping clean. Having said that, certain Edlebrook chromed items are of high quality and not subject to deteriate as the thin plated variety. Food for thought, if you have access to a bench buffing wheel may want to consider purchasing used and polishing them, save me a few buck.
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SuperSabre - Thank you for the info, I wish I knew about the gaskacinch sooner because I put on new gaskets last week and it was quite a pain ensuring they were in place.
NumberDummy - I should have gone to the junk yard first. Completely slipped my mind. Was going to go today but realized they closed as I was walking out the door. Hopefully Thursday morning.
daveengelson - I would love to have aluminum, would have purchased them if I could afford it. Will look in the junkyard this week to see what I can find.
I have not put on the new valve covers yet, will wait until I return from the junkyard. Hopefully with a good set of used aluminum covers so I can return the new ones I just bought.
Thank you for your opinions, suggestions and time.
NumberDummy - I should have gone to the junk yard first. Completely slipped my mind. Was going to go today but realized they closed as I was walking out the door. Hopefully Thursday morning.
daveengelson - I would love to have aluminum, would have purchased them if I could afford it. Will look in the junkyard this week to see what I can find.
I have not put on the new valve covers yet, will wait until I return from the junkyard. Hopefully with a good set of used aluminum covers so I can return the new ones I just bought.
Thank you for your opinions, suggestions and time.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
SuperSabre - Thank you for the info, I wish I knew about the gaskacinch sooner because I put on new gaskets last week and it was quite a pain ensuring they were in place.
dave engelson - I would love to have aluminum, would have purchased them if I could afford it. Will look in the junkyard this week to see what I can find.
I have not put on the new valve covers yet, will wait until I return from the junkyard. Hopefully with a good set of used aluminum covers so I can return the new ones I just bought.
Thank you for your opinions, suggestions and time.
dave engelson - I would love to have aluminum, would have purchased them if I could afford it. Will look in the junkyard this week to see what I can find.
I have not put on the new valve covers yet, will wait until I return from the junkyard. Hopefully with a good set of used aluminum covers so I can return the new ones I just bought.
Thank you for your opinions, suggestions and time.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 14,325
Likes: 14
From: Island Southeast Alaska
Guy's when installing things like Covers and oil pan I tie the gasket on with thread than can be removed if ya want after the bolts are all started. Don't get me wrong as I use gasket sealer when needed, but it is a pain to clean off when for whatever reason ya have to remove the part. If the gasket needed sealant on it than I think it would come with it. The key I have found is to get the sealing surfaces clean and flat. I have seen new chrome covers warped and bent (like they had been used and returned and over tightened) right out of the box.
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Well I finally got to the junk yard. Found everything I needed. Didn't find really nice valve covers but I've got everything I need for half the price. Just need to return the valve covers I bought from Summit Racing.
Thanks alot for the help. Will definitely check the junk yard first next time.
Thanks alot for the help. Will definitely check the junk yard first next time.
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