markz Wrote:I am a big fan of aluminum valve covers. Properly fit with a good gasket they are hands down the best.
Big issue I have found with many (but not all) is that the boss where the bolts go through is too high for a cast head and the sealing rail never compresses the gasket. One way to test for it is to install your cover with gasket but put strips of paper between the gasket and head (in the places it leaks). If it pulls out easily, you don't have proper sealing pressure.
On most (if not all) of my aluminum covers I have used over the years I have had to machine the bosses down - typically around 0.080". Worked like a charm with Felpro rubber gaskets. Glue one side to the cover with RTV (glue the gasket to the cover then put cover on a flat surface with weight on the cover till it dries - typically overnight). This way you can pull the covers off many times and the gasket reseals well if all is clean.
On the race car I o-ringed the covers because I take them off so much.
2065
Markz, how you doin', long time haven't heard from you, you finally found the new site?
Objects quickly DISAPPEAR in the rearview mirror and PLEASE stay seated until the ride comes to a complete stop!!
Racer Brown Wrote:Markz, how you doin', long time haven't heard from you, you finally found the new site?
Yeah - was trying to figure out why my login wouldn't work! LOL!
Been super busy. At airport getting in from Beijing and off to Poland on Sunday! Work/travel has been insane last couple of years, but it does well paying the bills........
I will do a catch-up post on my Coronet adventures, but the short rundown is the race car is at John Holt's shop getting an Alterkation front end installed and general go through of the car. Car spins and won't wheel stand with the new M/T tires, but is very consistent. He will hopefully get the car set up to wheel stand again and hook better. Car slowed a solid tenth in the quarter with the new tires. I'm hoping for 9.50's (in the 1/4) with the new setup.
Daughter's street car got the old race car 440 in it now (severely detuned), and has been nothing but problems since. Mostly exhaust (massive case of reversion with stock manifolds) but mostly fuel problems both with mechanical and electric pump. Now believe my Aeromotive electric pump was bad (iwas not relieving - 29 psi was supposed to be 14) and they have it for repair. It went 14.61 at 92 a few weeks ago, but with the headers I am hoping for at least a 3/4 second improvement maybe as much as a second.
Update on my leaks.i finally took Richards advice and picked up a set of the stamped steel valve covers and no leaks!motor looks good too.thanks Richard.david
383bee Wrote:Update on my leaks.i finally took Richards advice and picked up a set of the stamped steel valve covers and no leaks!motor looks good too.thanks Richard.david
Hello David,
VERY cool to hear that you were able to fix your leaking issue! The new stamped steel Direct Connection chrome valve covers look GREAT as does the rest of your engine compartment! Some day down the road if you get tired of trying to keep your natural aluminum intake manifold clean, you might consider painting it to match the rest of the engine and that will be one less thing to worry about also!
Richard
I enlarged your picture so everyone can see it easier!
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Here's the 440 in my 66 Coronet 500 with a painted Edelbrock Torker intake manifold.
For some unknown reason, nobody seems to take me seriously............
Those painted aluminum intakes always look nicer than the bare aluminum, imho. The natural aluminum tends to get corroded by all the elements present in an engine compartment, including the extreme heat. The factory aluminum 2 x 4 HEMI intakes were painted as well. I prefer them painted but each to his won.
Castles made of sand slip in to the sea....eventually
Some day down the road if you get tired of trying to keep your natural aluminum intake manifold clean, you might consider painting it to match the rest of the engine and that will be one less thing to worry about also! 
![[Image: My1966Coronet500-5-23-2013-5.jpg]](http://s146.photobucket.com/user/thebankerstoy/media/My%201966%20Dodge%20Coronet%20500%202%20door%20hardtop/My1966Coronet500-5-23-2013-5.jpg.html)
