AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Mighty 258 => The Engine => Topic started by: amc78concord on February 06, 2011, 09:50:26 AM

Title: Would This EXPENSIVE Valve Cover Really Be Worth It???
Post by: amc78concord on February 06, 2011, 09:50:26 AM
I've been looking around for a new valve cover now, and have found a lot of options for our AMC Eagles and Jeeps.  But I came across this one that is really fancy and very pricey!  It says it has baffles and helps with proper flow and prevents blow-by.  My Woody Wagon has a "tick-tick" under the hood, and I'm wondering if this $200 valve cover would really stop my leaks, baffle my "tick-tick," and look amazing under the hood all at once?

What do you guys think?

Here is the link to the Valve Cover:

http://www.yourcovers.com./valve_covers_8656.php (http://www.yourcovers.com./valve_covers_8656.php)

Pretty cool lookin isn't it...?

(http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac224/amc78concord/NiceValveCover.jpg)
Title: Re: Would This EXPENSIVE Valve Cover Really Be Worth It???
Post by: Eagleearl on February 06, 2011, 10:41:09 AM
Most valve covers have baffles to keep the oil from getting to the breather and PVC openings in a good engine. A valve cover cannot prevent blow-by which is controlled by the piston rings. The plastic valve cover was chosen partly because it was quieter than the metal valve covers, going with a metal valve cover will probably be noisier than a plastic one. A metal valve cover will help to seal oil leaks because it is more solid ( less bendable ) and can be tightened down better. The oil fill cap on this valve cover looks to me like it would be at the back of the engine and harder to add oil. If I were to be spending that much money I would look into getting a 4.0 head with it's aluminum valve cover and get better breathing and probably more power. Your tick - tick is likely a bad lifter that could be changed with the head off.
Title: Re: Would This EXPENSIVE Valve Cover Really Be Worth It???
Post by: mudkicker715 on February 06, 2011, 10:47:06 AM
Oil fill is up front. A metal valve cover is noisy huhhh a plastic one was used to control noise really...... there are cheaper covers out there however.
Title: Re: Would This EXPENSIVE Valve Cover Really Be Worth It???
Post by: eaglefreek on February 06, 2011, 11:39:58 AM
Man that is one ugly valve cover. AMC/Jeep engines are notorious for "blowby". The PCV systems are mostly to blame. I recently installed an Envlave and it seems to have solved some oil issues. It was hard for me to spend the money on it but wish I would have done it alot sooner. http://www.envalve.com/
Title: Re: Would This EXPENSIVE Valve Cover Really Be Worth It???
Post by: amc78concord on February 06, 2011, 12:11:21 PM
Man that is one ugly valve cover.
You really think so? I kinda like it lol.  But whatever cover I go with, I'll definitely look into pinpointing where the "tick-tick" is coming from as well.
Title: Re: Would This EXPENSIVE Valve Cover Really Be Worth It???
Post by: ammachine390 on February 06, 2011, 01:17:59 PM
On the link you posted, there are some picture of how the baffles look on the inside of that cover.  They look exactly the same as the baffles that were on my original plastic cover. I have since put the omix aluminum one on, it has different baffles, but I think that the omix has less breathing restriction than the original plastic one. My car has terrible blowby, it constantly puffs oily gas (not gasoline)  into the air cleaner. To me it seems to breath just as good as the plastic one did. It must be breathing good if the blowby pressure hasn't caused a leak yet. So, to answer your question, no, I don't think that cover is worth it. I would buy the standard aluminum one that most people here seam to get, mine cost $90.
Title: Re: Would This EXPENSIVE Valve Cover Really Be Worth It???
Post by: eaglefreek on February 06, 2011, 06:08:30 PM
Man that is one ugly valve cover.
You really think so? I kinda like it lol.  But whatever cover I go with, I'll definitely look into pinpointing where the "tick-tick" is coming from as well.
I'm a simple kind of guy and it looks to busy for me but if you like it go for it.I bet it's safe to assume many here have the tick tick tick. It's quite common on our engines.
Title: Re: Would This EXPENSIVE Valve Cover Really Be Worth It???
Post by: LaGuardia on February 09, 2011, 10:41:12 AM
"tick tick tick" wakes me up in the morning, "tick tick tick" walks beside me everyday, "tick tick tick" puts me asleep at night... ;)

$200 sounds just a bit expensive, I'd say...
Title: Re: Would This EXPENSIVE Valve Cover Really Be Worth It???
Post by: tougeagle on February 10, 2011, 02:49:27 AM
Sounds like a loose EGR tube, or egr tube with a hole in it. Mine had a tick when it was carbed until I tightened up the tube, then no more tick. They never came with exhaust gaskets stock but considering how restrictive teh stock exhaust is, they didn't need it.
Title: Re: Would This EXPENSIVE Valve Cover Really Be Worth It???
Post by: amc78concord on February 10, 2011, 03:26:45 PM
Sounds like a loose EGR tube, or egr tube with a hole in it. Mine had a tick when it was carbed until I tightened up the tube, then no more tick. They never came with exhaust gaskets stock but considering how restrictive teh stock exhaust is, they didn't need it.
Ive replaced all of the EGR tubing...
Title: Re: Would This EXPENSIVE Valve Cover Really Be Worth It???
Post by: Jurjen on February 10, 2011, 04:22:21 PM
Sometimes it's the fuel pump, just hold the steel line so that you can feel the pulse, if that corresponds with the ticking...
Title: Re: Would This EXPENSIVE Valve Cover Really Be Worth It???
Post by: mudkicker715 on February 10, 2011, 05:14:06 PM
.........If it does replace it............just finishing his sentence.

That said it would have to be a rubber line after said pump on route carb.
Title: Re: Would This EXPENSIVE Valve Cover Really Be Worth It???
Post by: amc78concord on February 17, 2011, 08:12:53 PM
So I ended up going with this valve cover.

(http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac224/amc78concord/42LValveCover.jpg)

Didn't want to waste money, $100 is enough... lol  :P
Title: Re: Would This EXPENSIVE Valve Cover Really Be Worth It???
Post by: thereverendbill on February 18, 2011, 12:25:43 AM
a tip for you, don't underestimate that rear bolt.  half the time I put into changing my valve cover was on the rear bolt.  Also my dad had a great idea when we did mine by using the shopvac right beside the drill bit to catch the shavings and also to suck up the antifreeze when we punctured the water jacket on the left side 
Title: Re: Would This EXPENSIVE Valve Cover Really Be Worth It???
Post by: amc78concord on February 18, 2011, 11:24:38 AM
where did you get it from? looks just like mine from bulltear. looks good. and it also looks like it came with all the hardware. however, i do not see a gasket... i had a gasket with mine. i think im going to just do a head swap this weekend maybe. go with the 4.0 head for now till my 4.6 stroker is done. i think my head gasket is leaking a little now.
I actually got mine off of the "Bay." That was just a picture from Bulltear.com.

However, from the bay mine didn't come with an oil cap  >:(     Even though it says in the kit that it comes with one... The guy is selling them seperate to get more money...  >:( >Luckily Napa had one in stock and it fit...  :P