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Mon Mar 01, 2010 7:04 pm

This guy keeps telling me that aluminum valves covers keep the clatter down reduce noise. :?
I am like the stock ones are the best period. :D
What do you all think, anyone ever done an actual sound test?

Mon Mar 01, 2010 7:48 pm

Does this guy SELL aluminum valve covers?

Mon Mar 01, 2010 9:55 pm

So lets say its true.

It is generally accepted that the stock ones seal the best - so your choice is quieter and leakier, or louder and better seal.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 6:06 am

He, this guy is 70 yrs old and has all chromed out engine to start with. He also wonders why it runs a lil hot. I keep telling him to ditch the china chrome and get the german tin. I am not even sure that the fan shroud has the air directors in it, hence hot engine.
He had heard from someone that aluminum valve dcovers are quieter.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 6:32 am

Not first hand so I doubt it is worth passing on but I heard the alum ones don't shed heat as well as the thin steel OG ones.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 6:53 am

werka wrote: It is generally accepted that the stock ones seal the best - so your choice is quieter and leakier, or louder and better seal.

I have never had a problem with bolt on aluminum valve covers leaking. However the aluminum bail type often do not place enough tension (weaker bails?) on the cover and have been known to leak a little. This can usually be stopped by increasing the bend on the bail.
Don't know that they are quieter or not, but I have heard the same though.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 7:34 am

My bolt-on aluminum valve covers do not leak a drop.

My OEM German covers with original bails leaked everytime I took my motor past 8000rpm. Aluminum Bolt on covers fixed it.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:36 pm

Oh lord. I think I stirred up the pot.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:43 pm

werka wrote: Oh lord. I think I stirred up the pot.
Bah.

Around here that can be done with "I like Volkswagens". :lol:

Max

Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:45 pm

saulverde wrote: Not first hand so I doubt it is worth passing on but I heard the alum ones don't shed heat as well as the thin steel OG ones.

Aluminum transfers and sheds heat far better than steel.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:59 pm

What about the noise level of the lifters click and clack may know the answer.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 6:43 pm

Max Welton wrote: werka wrote: Oh lord. I think I stirred up the pot.
Bah.

Around here that can be done with "I like Volkswagens". :lol:

Max

So true.

As for the heat transfer - we should consider what happens when you paint them....

I guess I feel like starting trouble tonight.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 8:08 pm

I say slap on a set of straight cut timing gears, solid trans mounts, and an open stinger, complaints of valve train noise will some what cease... LOL!!!

Back to the topic, I have never experimented nor complained about the valve train noise. IMO its a nature of the beast. Steel or aluminum valve covers? I have used both. I prefer the oem stock stuff, but sometimes it just wouldn't work due to certain valve train parts or the heads themselves(example, Super-Flo). I know I could get the Berg adapters, but what for the engine will only see limited use anyway.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 8:48 pm

I have aluminum bolt ons on my buggy (up to 8200 rpm) with breathers and have not leaked a drop of oil. I like the look of aluminum on a performance engine. I can't relate sound differences because I have not had a stock VW engine since 1974 and always run solid steel motor mounts. No heat issues to relate either. It is a personal choice.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 9:08 pm

bdkw1 wrote: saulverde wrote: Not first hand so I doubt it is worth passing on but I heard the alum ones don't shed heat as well as the thin steel OG ones.

Aluminum transfers and sheds heat far better than steel.
And the oil leaking out will take some heat with it too.

:D

Max

Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:02 pm

Eaallred wrote: My bolt-on aluminum valve covers do not leak a drop.

What brand of covers are you using? I have some Treuhaft covers on my engine, and have tried different combination to seal them. I have used them with just stock oiled gaskets, silicone on gasket to cover, and can not seem to get them to be completely dry. If anyone has hint's on how to keep them dry, I'm all ears.

Wed Mar 03, 2010 4:51 am

I use K&W Copper Coat between the bolt on valve cover (very clean) and the cork gasket.

Wed Mar 03, 2010 7:49 am

Racebug57 wrote: Eaallred wrote: My bolt-on aluminum valve covers do not leak a drop.

What brand of covers are you using? I have some Treuhaft covers on my engine, and have tried different combination to seal them. I have used them with just stock oiled gaskets, silicone on gasket to cover, and can not seem to get them to be completely dry. If anyone has hint's on how to keep them dry, I'm all ears.

Mine are the cheap Empi aluminum bolt on covers. You know, the ones that shouldn't work. But they work so good I had to eat crow BIG TIME because I used to be on the other side of the fence saying that all bolt on covers leaked. I was wrong. Dead wrong. Not all bolt on covers leak, some work extremely well!

I glue gasket to the valve cover, just like I would the stock cover. Then just bolt it on. Nothing fancy.

Mine are the Empi version of these:

I tried the other Empi valve covers and had nothing but trouble with them leaking, but I think that was because my head studs are located just a little 'off' from a stock head so they didn't line up correctly and allowed the c-channel gasket to suck in:

Wed Mar 03, 2010 10:18 am

I think one of the main problems with getting bolt on covers to seal is large valve springs and under supported rocker shafts...........

Wed Mar 03, 2010 10:50 am

bdkw1 wrote: I think one of the main problems with getting bolt on covers to seal is large valve springs and under supported rocker shafts...........

I'm running K-800's spin 9300rpm. No problem so far.