JC Whitney steel valve covers........

[BaldEagle]

For plastic on an '84 258?
It says that It'll work, but I've read here that only alum. would do. I'd go with aluminum, but this would look more stock when painted black, and less $$$.
A quick search didn't do me much good this time.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/transdapt-valve-cover/p3072158.jcwx?filterid=d17210y1984j1

[Jurjen]

I agree with above.
If you look on the famous auction site and search for "valve cover AMC 258", you will find that same valve cover, showin it will fit the 1980 model included (for $19.00!!).

Here some that will do the job:
http://www.bjsoffroad.com/prod-421.htm  $85
http://collinsbros.stores.yahoo.net/valcovgromoi.html $89.95

[IowaEagle]

I agree.  Won't fit.

[DaemonForce]

No fit. Sorry. :/

[BaldEagle]

The "fitment details" do show that it fits 81-84, but that in itself is incorrect in that it should fit later years as well..............86 or 87. They guarantee it fits or money back, but it'd probably cost more to ship it round trip than the cover's worth. Thanks for the help, I couldn't trust JC's info! 

[IowaEagle]

I bet a lot of unused one's are sitting in basements and garages, just for that reason.

[BaldEagle]

I bet a lot of unused one's are sitting in basements and garages, just for that reason.

I'd have to agree with you on that one..........what a waste!

Confirmed, no fit. The auction site has two with matching man. part no's, that both say not for replacing plastic. It would be a bonus to have one that looked more OEM when painted black, but I'm not building a show car, and will do some minor mods anyway. MC2100 carb, vac line cleanup, etc.

[Bird-o-Prey]

Just to extend the line of thought here...IF...you had access to a head from 1980 that you could have cleaned up and milled then it wouldn't be such a bad idea...or would it...HMmmmm.  I still have th head from my 1980 sport that I though about swapping onto my other car once I got it machined and cleaned up.  Then I would swap in the GM HEI & Extra MC2100 as well.  I can't see why this wouldn't work...unless there would be some issue with the 84 manifolds & the 80 head.  Any thoughts on this??

[BaldEagle]

That would be nice to bolt up the older valve covers, and cheaper since the heads are already done, you wouldn't have to spring $90+ for the aluminum ones. Fitment between the later intake, and older heads though, I've no idea.
 

[carnuck]

'79 to early '81 head has sticky valve problems due to miscasting around the front of the head. I have an '80 head and valve cover about to go for scrap since no-one wanted them for $50

[IowaEagle]

You have to put a couple of bushings on the head bolts as yours are 7/16" and the '80 and earlier are 1/2" diameter.

[BenM]

Last I priced the aluminum valve cover against a plastic valve cover with the good gasket, I think I was looking at $60-$70 vs $90. For that kind of difference in price - a couple of gallons of oil that have leaked out - it's completely worth it.