Valve cover choices? Outter vs Center bolt - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gchemist · 02-21-2005, 06:53 AM

I'll be ordering my AFR heads soon. I need to decide on outter edge or center bolt covers. Center bolt heads will require a Vortec style intake. Center bolt cover look more moder but my current new RPM air gap intake will not bolt up. I'll be installing aftermarket valve covers on heads I choose. Which style would you choose?

Mike76251 · 02-21-2005, 09:09 AM

Outer bolts...........you won't have to change manifolds and you will have a bigger selection of covers to choose from (for less $$ too)

bigblock73 · 02-21-2005, 09:10 AM

I agree with Mike on this.

jfrank133 · 02-21-2005, 09:52 AM

Its True On What Mike Said About The Outer, However I Have Inner Bolts And I Had No Problem In Finding Them, Found Them At Pep Boys, On Lamar, They Have A Wide Selection Of Them.

SanitysBane · 02-21-2005, 06:48 PM

they sell adapters to go from center to edge and vice versa

alpha_male0203 · 02-22-2005, 12:07 AM

i would go with the outer like mike said. they cost less to me that is the best.
I have inner on my 95 and on the 81 i have outer. i wish the adapters werent so high and i would maybe get some i need to start working on the looks of the 95. later

79BIG10 · 02-22-2005, 02:04 AM

With outer you have more choices on valve covers. With the centerbolt you have a better seal IMO on the gaskets. I've loved the centerbolt on my engine.

Tx Firefighter · 02-22-2005, 08:58 AM

Centerbolt covers don't leak like perimeter bolt covers do, that's why GM went to them. They did it to reduce warranty oil leak repairs.

Those neoprene gaskets are reusable pretty much forever too. I hate leaks.

alpha_male0203 · 02-22-2005, 06:11 PM

Thats good i never heard that or read it but i guess that it will save money over all. but those center bolt covers cost alot around here.

jeffs98 · 02-22-2005, 07:00 PM

Go with the center bolt style if you want to get rid of loosening valve covers that leak!! That is my 2 cents!!!

gchemist · 02-22-2005, 08:58 PM

I'm leaning toward the center bolt covers. I guess I'll sell the RPM Air Gap intake. The engine will also have a serpentine belt setup too. The total look will be modern almost FI looking in the old body style. Routing the spark plugs wires is also a conern. Each of the valve covers offer unique choices for routing them. Especially with since I'll be using Chevelle headers.

TIMSPEED · 02-22-2005, 09:35 PM

You do know, that there's centerbolt AFR's that AREN'T Vortec style, they're just 87+ style...

02-21-2005, 06:53 AM	#1
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Valve cover choices? Outter vs Center bolt I'll be ordering my AFR heads soon. I need to decide on outter edge or center bolt covers. Center bolt heads will require a Vortec style intake. Center bolt cover look more moder but my current new RPM air gap intake will not bolt up. I'll be installing aftermarket valve covers on heads I choose. Which style would you choose? __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

02-21-2005, 09:10 AM	#3
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,824	I agree with Mike on this. __________________ Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale

02-21-2005, 06:48 PM	#5
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	they sell adapters to go from center to edge and vice versa __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer

02-22-2005, 12:07 AM	#6
alpha_male0203 95 extended cab sportside Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Clinton, Iowa western. Posts: 895	i would go with the outer like mike said. they cost less to me that is the best. I have inner on my 95 and on the 81 i have outer. i wish the adapters werent so high and i would maybe get some i need to start working on the looks of the 95. later __________________ 95 Chevy k 1500 00 Chevy Silverado 1500 07 cobalt Old ladies car]

02-22-2005, 02:04 AM	#7
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,774	With outer you have more choices on valve covers. With the centerbolt you have a better seal IMO on the gaskets. I've loved the centerbolt on my engine. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

02-21-2005, 09:09 AM	#2
Mike76251 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,499	Outer bolts...........you won't have to change manifolds and you will have a bigger selection of covers to choose from (for less $$ too)

02-21-2005, 09:52 AM	#4
jfrank133 AUSTIN TX Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 135	Its True On What Mike Said About The Outer, However I Have Inner Bolts And I Had No Problem In Finding Them, Found Them At Pep Boys, On Lamar, They Have A Wide Selection Of Them.

02-22-2005, 08:58 AM	#8
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Centerbolt covers don't leak like perimeter bolt covers do, that's why GM went to them. They did it to reduce warranty oil leak repairs. Those neoprene gaskets are reusable pretty much forever too. I hate leaks. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

02-22-2005, 06:11 PM	#9
alpha_male0203 95 extended cab sportside Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Clinton, Iowa western. Posts: 895	Thats good i never heard that or read it but i guess that it will save money over all. but those center bolt covers cost alot around here. __________________ 95 Chevy k 1500 00 Chevy Silverado 1500 07 cobalt Old ladies car]

02-22-2005, 07:00 PM	#10
jeffs98 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Parsons, Kansas Posts: 139	Go with the center bolt style if you want to get rid of loosening valve covers that leak!! That is my 2 cents!!! __________________ 1978 Chevy C-60 Pumper Truck! 1985 Chevy 4x4 project! 2002 Chevy Crew Cab DURAMAX 4x4!! 2002 Harley Road King BIG BORE STG. II, Thunderheader,Dfo Module! 2003 Chevy Malibu!

02-22-2005, 08:58 PM	#11
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	I'm leaning toward the center bolt covers. I guess I'll sell the RPM Air Gap intake. The engine will also have a serpentine belt setup too. The total look will be modern almost FI looking in the old body style. Routing the spark plugs wires is also a conern. Each of the valve covers offer unique choices for routing them. Especially with since I'll be using Chevelle headers.

02-22-2005, 09:35 PM	#12
TIMSPEED Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,321	You do know, that there's centerbolt AFR's that AREN'T Vortec style, they're just 87+ style... __________________ I have a few cars... See Them Here

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