Aluminum/Metal Valve Covers

I had heard that there is a metal aftermarket valve cover set with higher torque specs than the originals to solve the oil leaks in that location. Can anyone confirm this?

BMD wrote:

I had heard that there is a metal aftermarket valve cover set with higher torque specs than the originals to solve the oil leaks in that location. Can anyone confirm this?

I've not heard of any aluminum or metal impregnated valve cover gaskets.
But there are all Aluminum intake manifold gasket replacements that still have the traditional rubber seals that go on the ends of the block / intake.
But the important part has been addressed. The seal between the heads and intake.

I meant the valve covers themselves being made of metal, not the gaskets, cause my rear valve cover leak is pretty bad and will have to be taken care of this spring.

If you have a deformed valve cover, the best bet is to buy a new one...period. They can't be that expensive. If they are then you have to buy used which will be almost free.

I am not concerned about the price, just wondering if a metal valve cover would do a better job?

By all means a metal or aluminum cover is much better than what you obviously have, which is a not so flat leaking cover.
I, like you, prefer to fix the problem the right way and not worry about it again.
That is why i replaced a tin oil pan with an Aluminum oil pan to stop chronic leaks i was experiencing and it solved the problem.

Rickw wrote:

By all means a metal or aluminum cover is much better than what you obviously have, which is a not so flat leaking cover.
I, like you, prefer to fix the problem the right way and not worry about it again.
That is why i replaced a tin oil pan with an Aluminum oil pan to stop chronic leaks i was experiencing and it solved the problem.

Seems like we're on the sam page Rick. By the way, my valve cover isn't warped, I just figured while I'm there, I'd replace the OEM set with something better. I was just curious as to wether an aftermarket replacement existed.

I would like to propose this question to the general member base.
Is there a better a valve cover to be had, and if so are they aluminum or metal.?
And where can one get a set.
I personally would like to send a set out for powdercoating in the near future to match my SC that will be powdercoated.

I think the OEM plastic valve covers, although they are made of plastic, they are pretty thick and rather sturdy. I wouldn't be concerned about it warping, just put the VC gaskets in and see how they do.

Right, to try to actually answer your question, I have not seen or heard of any aftermarket valve covers for the 3800.

RegalGS.org had a group buy about 3 years ago for CNC billet aluminum valve covers. I think there were various designs machined into the top. They were $250 each if I remember. Most people only got the front one.

I've seen aluminum covers on one of the vendor sites, ZZP or Intense, in the recent past. Need to take a look again....

AA wrote:

RegalGS.org had a group buy about 3 years ago for CNC billet aluminum valve covers. I think there were various designs machined into the top. They were $250 each if I remember. Most people only got the front one.

And a good used NA engine (short block complete) costs what, $750?

Albertj

You don't see them under my hood. It's just for dress-up; some people pay for that. Nothing wrong with the OEM plastic covers, unless you need some extra clearance for some wild cam/rocker combo.

ZZP, out of stock Jan 12 2010.

http://www.zzperformance.com/grand_prix/products1.php?id=798&catid=101

Thanks for the link Dave, its a little pricey, might have to think twice about it. But it does proves that they do exist. Cheers!

I don't know if they're planning to make any more. Might want to email Zoomer via their email contact link.

To me, they don't look all that great for the money. But I'd probably paint them. Still pretty plain design.

PRJ Pef has some really, really nice ones if you are willing to spend the money. They will clear the high-ratio rockers too...

Rickw wrote:

By all means a metal or aluminum cover is much better than what you obviously have, which is a not so flat leaking cover.
I, like you, prefer to fix the problem the right way and not worry about it again.
That is why i replaced a tin oil pan with an Aluminum oil pan to stop chronic leaks i was experiencing and it solved the problem.

Rick, where did you get the aluminum pan as we want to get one for our 96 Riv. Thanks!

It's been discussed at length in another thread, I believe it's a Bonneville pan. Try searching the board by "bonneville oil pan".

I just did the gaskets on mine when installing rockers. No more leaks. You could probably sand them a little and paint them with high temp paint if you were inclined to make them look better. lol

It seems like I read a thread a while back regarding engine cleaning or something similar, with a side story that another car with the Series I 3800 had aluminum valve covers. I remember there were pictures of a car with these valve covers (polished) and the OP made a comment about the valve covers being a little something that only the Series I guys could use.

I tried a search of the site, but I can't remember what the original thread was about. Ring any bells with anyone? Or perhaps someone has knowledge of what car they came off of?

Thanks.

Karma posted it.

Thx

I found a set at the local u-pull-it. They came off a 96 Camaro. I had seen the car before when looking for odds and ends but it never clicked because the plenum has "3800 Series II" cast into it. Since I'm new to working on the 3.8, I never thought to look since I have a Series I. When I got to looking closer, that's when I noticed they didn't have the injector indents in them. I got the set for $20 and change out the door.

When I got into cleaning them up, I found what looks to be 8 digit GM numbers inside. There is a seperate number for the casting or the assembly. These are the #s:

24505360 ASY
24505361 CST
This is the rear on a FWD engine.

24505358 ASY
24505359 CST
This is the front on a FWD engine.

Doing a quick internet search, I don't see these numbers come up, however, so I'm not sure about them.

The covers are opposite than a FWD engine, so if you are looking for a front cover (with the oil fill) only, that would be the right side Camaro valve cover.