Tuffnut

I’m thinking of replacing the current valve covers 1969 vintage on my 1975 350. I was going to use these Holley valve covers. Does anyone know if they are wider or taller than the OEM ones. I can’t get the oil leaks to stop with the old ones. I have tried new gaskets.


Thoughts?

olds 307 and 403

They are very close to the stock height. Do they come with the bolt in baffles? I did fine with factory replacement Grommets without baffles. Get the rigid core rubber valve cover gaskets and torque to spec.

Tuffnut

I don’t have any baffles for them. They were used on the old original heads. For some reason we didn’t use them when I put the #5 heads on new cam and new valve train. I couldn’t use the scorpion rockers I had.

RetroRanger

w no baffles some have experienced higher oil consumption...you can make some simple ones

Tuffnut

Good call about the baffles. There is holes in the cover for a baffle, not threaded though. I would need to thread them or rivet some baffle covers on them.

RetroRanger

someone recently posted some baffles they made for some VCs....i doubt i could find that thread....maybe theylll see this one and post the pic. IIRC it was just some sheetmetal loosely formed to the inside of the VC. I cant recall how they attached. OE ones (steel) were welded, that may not be an optional on your alloy ones, you may have to tap those holes and use loctited screws

edit heres the thread

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...6/#post1382824

oldcutlass

The holes use self tapping screws.

Tuffnut

I think I will make my own baffles and red locktite self tapping screws in place. Could I modify some old aluminum siding? Or should it be thicker?

olds 307 and 403

It should be fine, use the unpainted stuff and pull it tight. It is just to block oil from directly hitting the grommets.

HighwayStar 442

Mine are real close to yours, Here is what I did. I did have to grind off a little of the raised ribs to fit A/C box on passenger side. 87 Cutlass 350 sbo. Sorry not shown. Add a flat piece of flat metal over the holes with washers in between. To give a little space for air.

olds 307 and 403

Yeah, they are tight on a G body with A/C, been there. There should be more room under a 75, has been 10 years since I looked under the hood of one.

Inline

On 73-77 they fit without grinding under A/C box, tight fit to assemble ( farthests bolt down is sucker to assemble), but not that tight it would hit A/C box when engine is "rocking". Will fit even with .5" valve cover spacers.

Will pay out if you make a bigger splash shields, factory got them right on their covers.