I like the look of the Year One black powder-coat aluminum valve covers, the ones with "buick" lettering on them. Has anyone tried these? Any comments on the quality? Better covers from another vendor? Gasket recommendations? Also, what's the process for getting your holes in place? Are they "knock-outs" or need to be cut out?
The valve covers your talking about sound like the T/A valve covers from T/A Performance or Postons. There great valve covers, leak free and actually say BUICK on them in bold letters, instead of the manufacturer. Can you post a pic of them? Mark
Sorry Mark, I can't post a pic, I just have the YO catalog here. Sounds just like your description of TA or Poston covers too. I don't have those catalogs, just the YO catalog. YO wants $129/pair. I suppose I could scan it later at home and post it if you want.
Hey David, Come to think of it, I believe Postons are the black ones, and the have a beveled edge on both sides, I just checked my Postons catalog. Mark
well, they're here YO valve covers arrived today. They do indeed say "POSTON" on the inside surface. YO is $129/set less 10% GSCA discount. I wonder what Poston net price is? I don't have their catalog. One cover looks very good. The other has some "issues". The far left surface has a rough, slightly sunken area. It's not highly visible though, with the black paint on it. I'll likely put it on the passenger side so it's more out of view. The close spot for an oil fill there also has a defect in the bare alum face. You can see where they tried to grind it out, but it's too deep in the surface to get it all smoothed out, so they stopped short of finishing it. It appears as a small black surface defect, maybe a little aluminum paint will do the trick there. Overall they look good enough that I don't want to mess with return/replacement. I imagine any good machine shop can drill the holes for oil cap and breather grommet?
Poston's black powder coated valve covers are $119. Uncoated -$109. Just happened to get their catolog 2-3 wks. ago. Scott
I was looking at the clearance between the brake booster and the stock valve covers on the 350. It looks like the aluminum covers might be a pretty tight fit. Has anyone acutally installed these? Any fit problems by the booster?
Well...there catalog says 'no clearance issues'. They may have been referring to roller rockers though. I can't picture there being any problem - seen them on many cars! Scott
The close fit is probably the reason for the corners being angled(beveled?) on the covers, instead of coming to a rounded corner. I picked up a set of cork gaskets today, do I need to apply sealant to either, or both surfaces, so the gasket stays in position before tightening the bolts? What's the torque recommendation for aluminum covers?
Theres no problem with either style valve cover, I have the T/A ones that arent beveled and theres plenty of room with air and power brakes on my 71 350 GS, plus they dont leak:beer Mark
