Valve cover replacement

Been looking for a aftermarket valve cover for a 1977 258 I6 but am only finding covers for cj '81-86. I believe the cover I have is metal but am going to check. Most of the ones for the '81-86 say thye need to be drilled and tapped but I want to try to avoid that and the pictures I see for them the bolt holes look like they line up. Any suggestions or recommendation for the cure?

 

I have an OE one. It's steel. It IS the PRE-'81. Came off of a 1978 258 I6. I can sandblast it and paint her any color you want or sand blast it and send it to you bare metal. Unless of course you are looking for an aftermarket one.

Let me know.

Email me at: greganthonyb@gmail.com with any questions or if you'd like to see some pics.

Thanks.



P.S. I see them all over eBay. Here's one for only $19 : CLICK HERE

"BRAND NEW IN THE BOX AMC/JEEP CHROMED STEEL VALVE COVER. 1964-80 6 CYLINDER 199-232-258. SHORT ( 3-½ )"

You want the "Short" so your hood closes! $19, brand new, AND chrome? Not bad price.

Good luck, hope I helped!

 

The only aftermarket ones that I know of are chrome OEM style, or the Clifford cover: http://www.cliffordperformance.net/...de=CP&Product_Code=47-4050&Category_Code=J258
A lot to pay for a valve cover IMO.

The 81-86 style will not fit.

 

The cheap one from ebay is too short and the oil baffle inside will rest on the rocker bridges. They are generally warped out of the box, and very thin. I tried one then sourced a OEM steel one. Grab the one from boodie and have it chromed if need be. Use cork w/ a layer of RVT.

 

If you're going to go that route, you may as well chrome the cover you have. The OEM covers will distort around the bolt holes and leak (overtightening!), but they can be straightened. I prefer the Felpro rubber gaskets (like what Jeep used); either those or cork should work fine if the cover is straight.

You need to really do the cover gasket right if you want to stop any leaks. 258s are notorious for leaking from the valve cover.