Alternator Modification for Tall Valve Covers

[meissen]

Figured I'd post this on here for informational purposes. I had asked what needed to be done on a website which will remain nameless and was astonished at the rude response of the global moderator - "Search" (which I stated I had done), and then "post this in the Appearance section" if you want aftermarket valve covers.

Rant aside, did a few google searches to get the right phrase and tada found what I needed:

http://www.lt1engine.com/tech/how-to...-valve-covers/

[WMCCjames]

Interesting......just a note though I might add.....that "useless brace on the alt that goes to the intake manifold" isn't useless. It's there for a reason. I use to work for the company that designed and manufactured that die cast aluminum bracket that holds the Alt. The brace was used to stiffen up the Alt mount area to help reduce NVH and prevent fatigue cracking the ears of the aluminum bracket over time....otherwise the bracket would not meet GM's design specs for NVH. Trust me, GM would not add cost to an assembly if it was "useless".

[meissen]

Good tip, James! I remember seeing a discussion on CamaroZ28 about that and people argued both ways. I plan to keep it.

[Kwazrollinz28]

cool I wonder if that exhaust manifold bracket is really useless its a pain in the ass taking off and its in the way but i dont want to break anything with vibrations.

[jderry]

i know this is off topic
but do they even make aftermarket vavle covers for the 3.8ls?
i really like those black chevy ones with the red bowtie
and chevrolet in red but i have never seen them for the 6ers

[meissen]

Only thing I could find was this, but I think you have to be registered on their forum to see it and it's from 2005.
http://www.3800pro.com/forum/cams-he...ve-covers.html

[s.reef]

doing canton valve covers brian?

[meissen]

Was eying these ones...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevy...|39:1|240:1318

[s.reef]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-...1%7C240%3A1318

[jderry]

those ones s.reef look nice
my dads got an impala with lt1, i think theyd look sweet on it


the ones brian posted say they dont fit lt1?

[meissen]

The reason they don't fit LT1 is the reason for this thread. The tall valve covers that don't fit LT1 are because the alternator gets in the way. The how to I posted in the original post shows how to modify the alternator so it rests correctly on the valve cover - whereas the Canton ones that Sam posted have that flat spot (the bottom cover on the right hand side in the e-bay pictures) accommodate for the alternator.

Those look like nice covers, but I don't know if I like the welded-industrial look. I'll have to look up some pics of these installed to form a real opinion.

Still a little iffy on them:

[Kwazrollinz28]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-...1%7C240%3A1318

I want but ill put more mods into the car before i do that, i already have 1.6 rockers and a bunch of other crap under the stock valve covers sure its a REALLY tight squeeze but it works

[s.reef]

yea you either like or you dont i think it makes your engine look a lot badder then it really is

[jderry]

lol
well i like those
but i still favor those black chevy ones with red writing


i dont like chrome much lol
i keep telling my dad to get new ones for his bird
too much chrome under the hood