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Valve Cover Bolts with Alum heads?

Posted By: donbarnes

Valve Cover Bolts with Alum heads? - 11/09/09 01:45 PM

Anybody using stainless valve cover bolts with aluminum heads, or does someone make a stock looking alternative that won't rust? Here on the coast standard bolts will rust within a year, but there are also issues with aluminum and stainless corroding together..? What is everyone using on street/show motors?
Posted By: 85_Ram_4speed

Re: Valve Cover Bolts with Alum heads? - 11/09/09 02:30 PM

Unless you need stock looking bolts, get some ARP bolts from summit or whereever and use some antiseize where they pass through the aluminum.

My stainless ARP header bolts look as good as the day i installed them---the headers, not so much. There shouldn't be any issue being your using them on a valve cover.

Here is the link, just check your length,, measuring from the bottom of the head to the end of the bolt---in case you did't know

http://www.summitracing.com/search/Brand/ARP/?keyword=valve+cover+bolts
Posted By: maundmotorworks

Re: Valve Cover Bolts with Alum heads? - 11/09/09 02:43 PM

Stainless works fine. But if you are going to use a regular bolt, I wouldn't use anti-seize. Good trick--get some liquid antacid from the pharmacy like Maalox or something. Put a little Maalox on the threads before you install the bolt. It keeps the two dissimilar metals from corroding together and it dries to a powder, acting as a light duty threadlocker. I've used that trick for years in all kinds of applications and it works great!
Posted By: JoesMopar

Re: Valve Cover Bolts with Alum heads? - 11/09/09 05:27 PM

I'm using stainless on mine w/alminum heads. I also use a little anti-seize on them and have had them on and off several times with no problems. They always come right off and go right on.

However, on my next build whether it's stainless or not, I'm getting some thread all and making my own studs instead of using bolts for the valve covers.
Posted By: WILD BILL

Re: Valve Cover Bolts with Alum heads? - 11/09/09 06:41 PM

Which Alum heads? Eddy's are helicoiled so your not actually putting 2 disimilar metls together.

I'm sure other heads have helicoils as well.
Posted By: donbarnes

Re: Valve Cover Bolts with Alum heads? - 11/09/09 07:24 PM

I just opened the box on one of new Eddy heads and it just looks like threaded alum. I'll check out the Summit link, another company I've had great luck with is Totallystainless.com, great customer service and they will ship any size order. I know, because I ordered one stainless washer from them one time that I polished out and made my antenna bezel out of..
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