After Market Valve Covers

[Sævar Örn]

The valve cover from this 87 wrangler was a direct fit on my eagle, dont ask me why, seals perfectly, there are bolt holes on both sides, 3 on passenger side and 2 on driver side, 1 on front and 1 on back, like on original plastic one... although the bolt holes on the sides are not threaded, but the holes are there for some reason and dont look home made...

All I did was cut off the threaded studs that go off the valve bridges and tighten it down with the front and the back bolt and it doesnt show a leak yet... absolute direct fit, bolt on no problems and looks good too

[IowaEagle]

Its possible the Wrangler engine was a early, early '87 or transplanted in from a earlier year -- and its one of the aftermarket aluminum covers.  Is there any cast in lettering on the top?

[Sævar Örn]

The cover is aluminum, it is black with grey/aluminum colored fins on top and it says 258 with grey letters.

dont have camera at the moment. Fitting the rear cover bolt turned out to be more than me and my tools would handle, however it doesnt leak(yet) with only the single front bolt and the rhodoseal RTV holding it in place...

Works for me so far, but I guess if it starts leaking I will have to fit the rear bolt and preferable drill and tap the holes in the sides of the head to secure it more properly...

[IowaEagle]

From your description it seems like an after market valve cover on an engine with the head which originally used the plastic valve cover.  That head was used on 258 engines built for the '81 - '86 model years and was also used on some early '87 model year engines.

[Sævar Örn]

Great coincidence, this is gold in my hands, the only one available in Iceland!

[jim]

For the rear bolt beneath the firewall, someone on the forum drilled a 1/2" hole in the overhang
and when finished plugged it with a rubber plug.
I wish the suggestion had been made before I did the 83.

[Will]

Here are some links to some vendors who have/had them for the '81 - '87 258 engines.   Let us know of any others.

Updated by Mavericke on January 2010

http://collinsbros.stores.yahoo.net/valcovgromoi.html - Item #83501398K-AL42, Black:$74.95

http://www.quadratec.com/products/51104_04_07.htm - Item #83503343AL, Silver:$92.99

http://www.bulltear.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_34 -

Silver:$89.99, Black:$94.99

I bought the 4th one down on this page for my 83... it is also the same one I have on my 82, but the 82 is the silver one. It cost me $92 with shipping and everything.
http://collinsbros.stores.yahoo.net/valcovgromoi.html

Did you have to do any drilling?

Regards,

Will

[Jurjen]

You are in the correct thread, to install it you will have to do some reading here (and yes, drilling and tapping).

[eagle503]

I got mine from www.perfomanceoffroadcenter.com for $61.59 plus $12.98 shipping.
It came with cover, gaskets,rocker bridges, and bolts it was a direct fit- I had to tap the two holes in the driver side of the head and use a flex extension for the back bolt.
the box it came in says the cover was made by "Crown- Quality replacement parts for jeep vehicles" and replaces part# 83501398-ALB

[dunthatb4]

Okay, so the collinsbrothers replacement seems to be the way to go.  The thick gasket that comes with the replacement sorks just fine.  Use plenty of silicone, let it set overnight, maybe drill a half-inch hole to ease access to the rear bolt.  Be prepared to do some drilling and tapping, be careful not to go to deep as to get into the water jackets.  Remove the windshield wiper motor.  Be ready for anything from 10 minutes to 3 days time into this project,  tighten the bolts again after 100 miles and again after 1000 miles.   Almost sounds easy, doesn't it!  I love this forum, makes my life easier    Now if I could just get my wife to go get me some printer ink so I could print some of this stuff to take to the garage with me, life would be grand!

[Jurjen]

Wow, that is a pretty good summary.

[IowaEagle]

The Reader's Digest version.  But, very accurate.

[Prafeston]

I know I'm bringing up a bit of an old topic, but I was curious if anyone has bought some of the 4.2 Valve covers off ebay?

There is a seller named thejeepwhse that sells the '81-'86 Aluminum Replacement. He is selling a Black cover and an unpainted aluminum cover. Both right at about 100 bucks.

I just wanted to make sure these would fit and if anyone had any experience with them.

[Jurjen]

The manufacturer is Crown.
Scoll up a bit and you will see it installed, cheaper too from PORC.

[Prafeston]

Scroll up a bit and you will see it installed, cheaper too from PORC.

The link posted above for perfomanceoffroadcenter does not work.