Aluminum valve cover

[Stinky]

I was looking at an '82 720 the other day...we were trying to buy it.  They guy hasn't called me back, I guess it fell through.  Anyways, I didn't look at the engine to see what size it was.  I assume that it was a Z24, but it has an Aluminum valve cover.  When was that used?  All I've ever seen was the black steel ones.

Edited March 11, 2022 by Stinky

[butter fingers]

z 22 had that cool cover . i watched an '86 2 wheel drive with just 80,000 original miles sell locally for $2,000 . clean truck but i need an engine for mine and times are getting tough . gotta fix what i have if you know what i mean . Butter Fingers 

[datzenmike]

Z20 and Z22 through '83 car and '82 truck, were cast aluminum. The '83 and on Z20 and Z24 were stamped steel.

 

The '82 should have a Z22 and cast aluminum valve cover but either could have been swapped. Only way to know for sure is to look between the two pair of exhaust manifold pipes between the number 2 and 3 spark plugs. The engine size is stamped on the flat on the top edge of the block...

 

[butter fingers]

Hey Mike , i have always been curious of your mechanical back ground . I have no dought you know your stuff ! Keep it short and sweet . Butter Fingers 

[datzenmike]

https://ratsun.net/profile/9-datzenmike/?tab=activity

 

On my profile page beside Activity to the right is About Me. Click on that. It's about my starting out when I was 13 or 14 and knew nothing but wanted everything. That was almost 60 years ago so lots of things learned since then. 

[butter fingers]

Before i look at that profile , i thank you for helping us lames keep our trucks running !  BF

[Stinky]

Thanks,  at the time, I assumed that it was a Z24....then started thinking about it.  I coulda easily looked at the sticker and/or block.  Supposedly it is/was bad.  They said they wanted to hang on to it and that they have a "new" motor for it.  It is a rust-bucket, but a former family member bought it new.

[7twentyguy]

Tha aluminum valve cover is way cooler than the stamped steel, if you find one make sure you get the cork gasket!

[Logical1]

I personally don't like the aluminum covers BECAUSE they use the cork gasket. The rubber gaskets last basically forever and are much easier to align.

[datzenmike]

The neoprene ('rubber') ones should work on the earlier covers. The cast cover bolts are longer than the stamped. Definitely rub oil or grease on both sides of a cork gasket. They peel off easier and can be saved and reused longer. Not a fan of them.

[Logical1]

The rubber ones absolutely do not work with the aluminum valves covers unless you like oil leaking everywhere. I have tried to make them work, they don't. There is a channel in the steel covers that hold the gasket in place. 

[datzenmike]

Right, that makes sense.