Ahhh the smell of burning oil in the evening...(VC gasket time)

[RobertsnewQ]

I'm starting to notice more oil smell after a hard run so I figure it's about time I do the VC gaskets. They ooze just enough that the oil level doesn't really drop, but the ooze ends up on the exhaust manifolds & makes my car smell like an old Chevy van.

Looks pretty straightforward but I do have one question:

Are the '94 up gaskets superior to the "sealant only" style on the '93 down? If so, I'd like to get a pair of 94 valve covers instead of messing with mine.

Just wondering if anyone had experience with both types.
Modified by RobertsnewQ at 11:06 AM 9/3/2005

[3Q Jay]

and i thought chevy vans were [in]famous for a different type of smell........

hey what do i know...but i thought the '93 vcg's were same [i.e. rubber] as the '94's??

i have the '94 vcg's if you want 'em. when i did the plenum i checked all around with the inspection mirror and they were nice& dry--so ifigured why mess with em?i'm sure you'll do the plugs while you are in there.

[DAEDALUS]

My '93 manual says RTV. Some years ago I asked the same question. An Infiniti tech on this board said the shape of the covers is different--can't swap them. Plus the fastener sizes/bolt pattern are different.

[RobertsnewQ]

My '93 manual says RTV. Some years ago I asked the same question. An Infiniti tech on this board said the shape of the covers is different--can't swap them. Plus the fastener sizes/bolt pattern are different.

Rob - that's the answer I was looking for. Thanks - you just saved me $100 and two trips to the junkyard.

I may do them tomorrow but if not it will be soon.

[elwesso]

Rob - that's the answer I was looking for. Thanks - you just saved me $100 and two trips to the junkyard.

I may do them tomorrow but if not it will be soon.

yeah, and also on the 9093 they use bolts for the fastners, and on the 94 they have studs with nuts... So it wont work even in that regard, but as we all know the heads were different....

Q45tech has stated that from what he's seen the RTV isnt any worse/superior to the rubber in the 94s.

[DAEDALUS]

yeah, and also on the 9093 they use bolts for the fastners, and on the 94 they have studs with nuts... So it wont work even in that regard,

That doesn't matter to the valve cover or the gasket. RTV may perform as well as the solid, but it is messy and it takes forever to remove the old stuff.

[RobertsnewQ]

That was my issue - I like the "plug & play" aspect of the later covers. Drop them on and hit the road.

Instead I've got to spend an hour or more cleaning the old crap off of the covers & head, and then manuever them onto the heads without loosing half the RTV.

So does anyone have a close match for the OEM valve cover paint color? I'd like to touch up a few spots while I have the chance.

[elwesso]

IMO theyd look really good painted black....

[Q451990]

They do... Dennis' Q has black covers... kind of neat looking. I think there was a practical joke in the past where he opened his hood and found metallic gold covers or something... then they took them off and painted them with heat resistant black paint.

Heath