Re: [T3] empi valve covers or not?

["Russ Wolfe" <russella@prairieinet.net>]

Subject: RE: [T3] empi valve covers or not?


> Like I said, mine don't leak.  Never have!  Careful fitting, using quality
> parts, taking it easy all help.  The OEMs are fine.  They are a complete
> PITA on my engine and don't have a decent flat surface for breathers so I
> like the bolt-ons.  The ones I have are aluminum, finned, and bead-blasted
> to take the chrome off so they have a perfect, dull, surface :)  I use the
> stock-style cork gaskets cuz they're the best.
>
> Toby
>
Why do you need breathers on your valve covers?? With a properly fitting
engine, there should be minimal blow-by. VW got by for years without any
added breathers. They only added them to the heads to meet the CA emmision
standards in 1973.
If I remember right, Leon's engine had chromed engine tin on it when he got
it. He found that shinny surfaces on the engine reflected heat back onto the
engine, and made it run hotter. Did you ever wonder why VW chose flat black
for their tin work and valve covers. It helps to disipate heat. This
includes through the valve covers. The shinny inside surface of the aluminum
valve cover would reflect heat back onto the heads instead of letting it
pass on through.
If you are not out for show, and just an average Joe Blow dirver, there is
no advantage to the aluminum valve covers. The stock valve covers, installed
properly, work just fine. Just make sure that the valve cover is not sprung,
or the pring bale is not bent, and they will go for many miles without a
leak.

OK, end of my soap box.

Russ Wolfe
russw@classicvw.org
http://www.classicvw.org/


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