After Market Valve Covers

[MetalBird]

Wow, I see Yellow, Red, Orange and Blue from you guys.  I will see if I cant find Green just to be different too 

[v0rt3x86]

I think the biggest mistake is over-tightening. I talked to at least 15 ASE-Certified techs over the years about lb.-in. torque wrenches and always heard "I just go hand-tight."

...

I've had good luck with the copper stuff on an oil-pan. Used a thin coating on the pan, flattened by finger for laying the gasket on. I let it tack up before putting the gasket in tho to avoid slippage/over-torquing. Then I applied a bead to the gasket (waited for it to get nearly-dry) and attached.

I think my favorite technique is using better gaskets

[AMCEagle80]

i used the yellow gasket adhesive to stick the gasket to the head, then let it tack up, and then put the cover on.
i did not use any kind of sealant on the top of the gasket to the cover.

[MetalBird]

I did it the other way around, used the yellow to stick the gasket to the cover then tightened it all down on the head.  So far is working good.

[ramona eagle]

i just ordered a stamped aluminum cover. mine had obviously been tightened to smitherines, cuz 2 of the tabs were broken and it was leaking..
i'm hoping to get that in some time next week.

[IowaEagle]

That is the first I think we have heard of a broken cover.  You are probably right about the over tightening.

[ramona eagle]

yeah, it looks pretty beat up. lol.
after taking the thing off i also realized that the back tab had been previously broken and jb welded back together. haha. they probably just rigged it because they couldn't find a replacement.. the back bolt on the cover is a real pain in the +++ to get off btw. lol

[Jurjen]

That back bolt is a serious pain in the tailgate. I think it was Joe Javelin who drilled a hole straight above it.

[jim]

I remember it being a major pain. I wish I had thought of the hole above.  I used a flexible 1/4" extension, by feel.

[ramona eagle]

i just got the cover in yesterday, and it's all assembled and race ready. I used a 1/4 in. joint extension to put the back bolt in, what a PAIN!! i didn't initially tighten it enough the first time either, and i started my car to find that it was leaking out of that demon bolt. another thing that i had problems with was tapping threads in on the right side, i broke a bit in it and that was the end of my night last night. i gave up and went to bed. lol

[ritualsin]

I live in a small town in Arkansas, and our local parts store is O' Reilly's Auto Parts, don't know if any of have seen them around or not.  I recently found the source of my leakey plastic cover;  a crack.  So, I decided to look on their website to see if they offered a metal replacement.  Online they offer a crom plated steel replacement for $47.99 cents.  Witht he prices I saw on other covers, I figured you guys might be interested, lol.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/EW3/ProductDetail.do?id=929078052&line=TRA&itemNumber=TRA-9339&manualPerfCategoryIndex=53&vehicle=1983AMERICAN%20MOTORSEAGLE6-258%20%204.2L&bid=1218162541787&cycleCount=833&currentPage=0

[ritualsin]

Well, I'm low on funds at the moment and I just need something that will last long enough without leaking to get me from Arkansas to Michigan here in about a month and a half.

[Pack Rat]

Unless they sell something different than anybody else that chrome cover only fits the 80.

[ritualsin]

Maybe I shouldn't assume it will fit then.  I just know that it came up as a matching poart for an 83 through their website.  Anybody else have any experience with this cover?

[Jurjen]

Well, I'm low on funds at the moment and I just need something that will last long enough without leaking to get me from Arkansas to Michigan here in about a month and a half.

Collin Bros are still selling the aluminum ones for $69.95, that is less than a tank of gas.
http://collinsbros.stores.yahoo.net/valcovgromoi.html