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> cast aluminum valve covers
Tom_in_NH
post Sep 18 2024, 09:26 AM
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Perpetually leaking valve covers on an otherwise dry motor have driven me nuts. I've used the rubber gaskets, cork gaskets. no sealer, with sealer.........

So, I'm now looking at cast aluminum valve covers, as I believe their rigidity and milled surfaces will solve the issue.

Any experience or manufacturer recomendations?

Tom
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windforfun
post Sep 18 2024, 09:59 AM
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I've heard that they don't work that much better & can be difficult to attach.

Are your sheet metal covers perfectly flat at the seams?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)
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JeffBowlsby
post Sep 18 2024, 10:03 AM
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Logos installed upside down on the stock metal covers?
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Tom_in_NH
post Sep 18 2024, 12:11 PM
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I have checked them for flatness last time they were off.

Interesting point regarding the logos. I didnt know it made a difference.
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JeffBowlsby
post Sep 18 2024, 12:31 PM
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QUOTE(Tom_in_NH @ Sep 18 2024, 11:11 AM) *

I have checked them for flatness last time they were off.

Interesting point regarding the logos. I didnt know it made a difference.



Raby says it does. Its always worked for me.
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Tom_in_NH
post Sep 18 2024, 12:51 PM
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Ah yes. I just found the Raby reference to logo orientation. He advises that the logo be upside down. This puts the notch for the bail closer to the bottom, reducing the covers tendency to ride up when securing the bail.
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technicalninja
post Sep 18 2024, 01:38 PM
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QUOTE(Tom_in_NH @ Sep 18 2024, 01:11 PM) *

I have checked them for flatness last time they were off.

Interesting point regarding the logos. I didnt know it made a difference.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

I didn't either...

I installed my covers 2 days ago and after Jeff's post went and checked.

Mine are logos up! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

Too late, already answered...
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GregAmy
post Sep 18 2024, 03:20 PM
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I use the cast bolt-on covers on my higher-revving racer because I was constantly blowing oil, regardless of the orientation of the covers. I suspect, but cannot prove, they were lifting the bails under crankcase pressure, and I even had some clamp-on hoses blow out off the head tubes...

I welded up with stock tube holes on the castings and had some AN fitting TIG'd onto the aluminum valve covers. Each are secured with a pair of bolts, which are drilled for safety wire and secured to small holes drilled in one of the fins. Hoses from each go into an extermal container, which also accepts a hose from the box at the top of the engine.

Problem solved. No more VC leaks, and no more oiling the track from vent tubes popping off...
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windforfun
post Sep 18 2024, 04:07 PM
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I was just under the car & for the life of me, I can't see the VW logos.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)
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ClayPerrine
post Sep 18 2024, 04:41 PM
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I have always put them on with the logo right side up. I have never had a leak after carefully installing the bails.

Put the gaskets on dry, and make sure the tabs at the top and bottom hold the gasket in place.
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emerygt350
post Sep 18 2024, 05:46 PM
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I wonder how many of you are running positive crank ventilation like the 73s.... Not that I am not fighting the valve cover fight but I would have to think PCV (real PCV, not passive) probably helps.
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Tom_in_NH
post Sep 18 2024, 05:49 PM
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@GregAmy , Do you remember if your valve covers are made by AA, Scat or Empi ?
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rgalla9146
post Sep 18 2024, 06:16 PM
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I've never seen a cast aluminum valve cover that didn't 'rock' when held against the
mating surface. That's not a good start.
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GregAmy
post Sep 18 2024, 08:35 PM
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QUOTE(Tom_in_NH @ Sep 18 2024, 06:49 PM) *

@GregAmy , Do you remember if your valve covers are made by AA, Scat or Empi ?

I don't, sorry. I don't recall any logos at all on them...engine is packed in a create headed for rebuild, but if you remind me some time later I'll be glad to check.
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Jack Standz
post Sep 18 2024, 10:21 PM
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We use and like the Empi ones with silicone rubber gaskets. Probably at least a dozen years old, so don't know if newer one have any problems.

Maybe it's superstitious nonsense, but on stamped steep covers, the VW logo upside down always. The VW logo is stamped in the center of the valve cover.
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Tom_in_NH
post Sep 19 2024, 09:40 AM
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@GregAmy , I think Scat is the manufacturer of the aluminum covers with no logos and 2 securing bolts. EMPI and AA both have their company name/logo cast in the top surface.
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brant
post Sep 19 2024, 12:19 PM
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My experience with cast aluminum was good

Most say the are bad

Mine worked on a race -4 for ten years

We had already tightened the stock bales and frequently blew the gasket out from high rpm. Suspected too much pressure from very high rpm race motor. Went aluminum and solved our problem

You should tighten your stock bales before giving up on stock

They should work fine for street use below 7k
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GregAmy
post Sep 19 2024, 08:35 PM
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QUOTE(Tom_in_NH @ Sep 19 2024, 10:40 AM) *
I think Scat is the manufacturer of the aluminum covers with no logos and 2 securing bolts.

Thank you.

One improvement we did was Chris Foley spot-faced the covers so the bolt head sealing surfaces are prependicular to the bolts themselves. Seems the bolts do not sit perpendicular to the cover and spot-facing them with that slight angle makes it seal better.

I also converted them to using M8 coupling nuts, M8 hex head screws (we drilled them), and 5/16 galvanized steel Neoprene sealing washers:

https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/90009A222
https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/91280A084
https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/130/3691/94708A314
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Eric_Ciampa
post Sep 20 2024, 12:58 AM
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Check the valve cover for flatness. I have had them warp, rock slightly against the head, and need to be replaced. Logos upside down always works best for me.
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