87 valve covers??

[bigblue09]

why is it so hard to find chrome valve covers for the 87? i have found one pair of them on ebay all the other ones are up to 86. why is that?

[VileZambonie]

they changed from perimeter to center bolt. They aren't hard to find at all.

[VileZambonie]

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=center%20bolt%20valve%20covers&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wf

[bigblue09]

seems like everytime i saw them they were only up to 87. thanks for the info.

[Dragon]

Vile showed you the Good ones to get ahold of, and I will add that any of the "Cheap Looking" ones found on Flea-Bey or at your Local Auto Parts Stores, that don't have those Manufacturer Names, should stay right where you found them.....  Most of the ones without those Manufacturer Names, will generally be made in Taiwan/China/Etc, and will giving you leaking nightmares if not properly sealed(They usually have warped mounting flanges, or will having missing or extra material(Improperly trimmed after removed from the mold/etc) that will allow a leak...

[bigblue09]

ok thanks for the heads up.

[SUX2BU99]

To add a little to that, I had some cheap $20/pr Edelbrock chrome "Signature Series" valve covers on my truck that I bought to replace what looked to be equally-cheap "Powered By Chevy" chrome VC's. I bought new cork gaskets for them and never had a leak issue. I have since replaced those with Dart chrome VC's that most likely come out of the same factory as those Edelbrocks, the Powered by Chevy ones and any other cheap, chromed stamped steel valve covers and they too seal fine. I again used the cork gaskets that came with the Darts. It would seem that the leaking VC issue of SBC's is best solved with a thick gasket like the cork ones.

But yes, you want 'centerbolt' valve covers as previously mentioned. Lots to choose from when you look for that term.

[bigblue09]

oh ok. im working on cleaning up the engine compartment now so that they will look good.

[Dragon]

To add a little to that, I had some cheap $20/pr Edelbrock chrome "Signature Series" valve covers on my truck that I bought to replace what looked to be equally-cheap "Powered By Chevy" chrome VC's. I bought new cork gaskets for them and never had a leak issue. I have since replaced those with Dart chrome VC's that most likely come out of the same factory as those Edelbrocks, the Powered by Chevy ones and any other cheap, chromed stamped steel valve covers and they too seal fine. I again used the cork gaskets that came with the Darts. It would seem that the leaking VC issue of SBC's is best solved with a thick gasket like the cork ones.

But yes, you want 'centerbolt' valve covers as previously mentioned. Lots to choose from when you look for that term.

Pretty Much everybody uses the same manufacturers when it comes to the Cheap Bulk Chrome Covers(Yes even Edel, and other Big Name Vendor does for certain things, as it is cheaper for them to do so), but it helps to use a Good Gasket set when you do....  If you know these engines enough, you can fix the slight imperfections on the Cheap Covers, to get them to seal properly(Most cases you just need to file,trim,debur, or flatten the gasket lip to correct the problem.... 

[69byrd]

I have used the cheap valve covers in the past and have not had any problems with them but I also used a good gasket with them.  I think that is what makes the difference.

[bigkountry]

I have the Mr. Gasket autozone specials on my 400 with the high dollar felpro blue rubber gaskets, and they leak like crazy. The gasket really does make a difference, as these guys have said before.