Anyone know the purpose of application of the 70s and 80s Olds Valve Cover Spacers?? Manual simply lists all 260 307 350 403 as req.
GM #22521731

 

I don't know what they're for, but if this helps anyone, here is a photo from a set on eBay right now:

 

Thanks, yes, that's where I saw them.
I dont recall seeing them before, diagrams or used engines/parts. Trying to visualise their use, some sort of clip that prevents overtightening gaskets, not sure.

 

Best I can determine, you're on the right track, but it wasn't the gasket they worried about because there wasn't one when these are used.

I found a half-plausible answer in the parts books. Up through 1974 or 75, Olds V8 engines called for a valve cover gasket in the parts callout. After that, the valve cover gasket didn't exist in the GM parts books as they moved to sealing the valve covers with sealer goop only with a 5-hole cover from the factory. But they still used the "flat," 10-hole covers on earlier models. So if you have a 1974 350, you had factory gaskets on your 10-hole covers. But a 1978 403 for example, you shouldn't have any valve cover gaskets from the factory since you use the 5-hole covers. Here's my best speculation: Since GM had no valve cover gasket support for valve covers after they quit carrying the 10-hole gaskets, the GM dealership shop engineering "fix" was to reseal 10-hole covers with sealer goo only, requiring these spacers on the flat, 10-hole valve cover repairs. I'm betting there is a service bulletin on these somewhere.

My suspicion is, if you used the older 10-hole flat covers with goo sealer only, that's the only time you would need these.







So if you opt to use gaskets, these aren't needed. If you use the goo sealant only, you'll need these on the 10 bolt covers.

 

Excellent. I didn't even think of that. I'll have a look through my manuals and info when I get a chance for that angle.