C1 59: Valve cover question

[Rob M.]

Hi all,

Probably a very simple questions but I just wan to be sure. I've bought the steel valve cover reinforcement bits since I will change my non-original aluminium valve covers for the original steel ones (for my 230 hp engine).

Should these reinforcements go straight under the screws to protect the valve cover or under the cover ridge to ensure a certain thickness for the gasket (I don't thinks so though).

greetings,
Rob.




The C1 '59 Restoration Project

[Dave Suesz]

steel valve covers

The little plates go under the heads of the screws, and evidence exists that there should be thin rubber gaskets between the plates and the valve covers.

[Rob M.]

Re: steel valve covers

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm, I wonder where I can order these needed gaskets....

thanks for the info Dave,
Rob.

[Joe Maulsby]

Re: rubber gaskets

You can make them. Find a thin piece of rubber, 2 to 3 millimeters thick, place the steel spacers over the rubber and trace the shape onto the rubber; then cut them out with a razor knife. If you are going for correctness, you will want to spray them with engine orange paint, at least the edges, since they would have been installed when the engine and valve covers were first painted.

[Rob M.]

Re: rubber gaskets

Hi,

I cheated here a bit since I decided to chrome the steel covers (I know I did a major sin against the NCRS rules here ;-) so I can skip the painting procedure I suppose. Is 2 or 3 millimeters (1/10 inch) not to thick ?

greetings,
Rob.




The C1 '59 Restoration Project

[Dennis A.]

Re: rubber gaskets

Rob...

Seems to me that you can forget the rubber gaskets if you are not going for judging...The valve cover gaskets will seal off any oil leakage if properly installed.

[John M.]

Re: rubber gaskets

Rob,
I agree with Dennis. As a matter of fact, I would take it one step further and say that I have never heard of anyone getting a deduct for them not having the rubber gaskets. There is not even universal agreeement that the gaskets were even original and not just an aftermarket gasket. This same argument rears it's head everytime the draft tube is discussed, all the aftermarket gasket sets have a gasket that goes between the block and the tube, but the current prevailing opinion by most judges is that the factory did not install one, and you will take a point deduct for having one. I would think that you would stand a pretty good chance of getting a minor deduct for having the rubber gaskets during Flight judging, but no chance of getting a deduct for not having them.

Regards, John McGraw

[Joe Maulsby]

Re: C1 59: Valve cover question

That might be a little thick, maybe something around 1/20 inch such as a tire inner tube. Since my 1960 is a driver, I am going to install the gaskets because oil always seeps out around the hold down screws eventually; no matter what brand of gasket I have used.

[Roy B.]

Re: rubber gaskets

I showed a pic of the gaskets in one of my postings and yes there was a rubber gasket under the plates , from the factory, NCRS or not.

[John M.]

Re: rubber gaskets

Roy,
I have seen your post and am not arguing whether they are original or not. Even if they were original in 55, were they still used in 1960? The more important issue though for someone having a car judged, is what the judges are looking for? Sometimes this conflicts with what we know to be the correct configuration.
The JG call for, and the judges look for, a copper plated oil line on C1 cars, yet we all know that C1 cars did not use a copper plated line! Judging is full of these types of inconsistencies, and all I am saying is, if you are going to play the game, you got to play by the rules. Items get added to the technical guide by a process of consensus, and until the rubber seals are an item that are generally agreed as "consistent with the as-built condition", then I would leave them off of a judged car. There were several times that I would pull a part off my 60 and change the appearance of a part to conform to waht was expected rather than what was the way the car was built. There were other times that I would make a case that the JG was incorrect, and when I did so, I usually had a large ammount of evidence that I was correct. Sometimes you win the argument and sometimes you do not. It is all about picking the battles that you can win. It is allways nice to get judged at a National meet, since there is usually a parking lot full of Bowtie cars available to prove your point!

Regards, John McGraw

[Roy B.]

Re: rubber gaskets

Right! you said it all as I've said to many times ( you play thier game or stay out of judging) The steel oil line is correct and yes they were used up to 60 and so many other things as you stated. I've been team captain and judge so many times from the start of NCRS and still judge.( and my points number is O zero) When I do I let the owner know what is incorrect in the JG, it's only to alert them that some day in the future it will be judged. Not to change any wrong JG part but to look for and get that part. Like I've also said many parts are known to be wrong ( by many members consensus) but with out documentation ????
Having my Corvettes judged 20 some years ago and seeing old timers like my self change original parts to get a top flight award, and is still going on to day, I just decided I didn't need it and more.
Now I really in-joy NCRS more having no arguments or stress .I've always been a bit of an out law in NCRS but that's OK with me.