I would like to know if anybody can post pictures of their engines, more specifically, of the types of valve covers you have on them, breathers, valve cover hold downs used, etc. I'm shopping on various websites such as Jeg's and Summit, and I keep coming across these hold downs.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Billet+Specialties/135/95013/10002/-1

I really like the hex type and also want to know if there is somebody that makes any other type of specialty hold downs like these but with maybe a bowtie emblem on top, or SS or something like that. Doesn't have to be those in particular, but I can't find anything other than these that look halfway nice. I don't like the wing nut style, and the hold down clamps that are supposed to give a better seal, such as these http://www.jegs.com/p/Proform/746293/10002/-1 I like but I wish they had them in an anodized blue or red color as well so I can shop and compare color combinations.

These look different but I don't think I like them: http://deagledeals.com/pro684637.html Also, if I do go with the long style hold downs, do I need anything else with them like the clamp style hold downs too or the small triangular shaped ones? Or do you just use the long hold downs and that's it?

These are the valve covers I have and I want something to fit them right.

http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t329/ss1970chevelle454/5e15_1.jpg

Here is the engine these are going on.

http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t329/ss1970chevelle454/DSC07870.jpg






I appreciate any and all responses, please be patient with me, I'm learning things as I go!

The valve cover bolts you linked to are from Billet specialties.Most are only sold in sets of 4. What you need to check are the 3 valve cover holes on the intake side of your valve covers. On many valve covers the mounting area for those holes is thicker than the exhaust side hole areas, so you need longer bolts.(longer threads) You should not need any hold downs with those bolts .
http://www.billetspecialties.com/item.asp?cid=29&scid=241&pid=228
My old valve covers had the steel "T" shaped bolts, but they needed studs in the heads.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/Dsc00998.jpg
On my new valve covers I used ARP 12 point SS bolts.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/08_Engine_pic.jpeg

Nice looking CHEVELLE valve covers,by the way. Mind telling us who makes them?

here is the seller:

http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/race114183_W0QQ_nkwZQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_mdoZ

here is an active pair:

http://cgi.ebay.com/396-402-427-454-CHEVY-CHEVELLE-ALUMINUM-VALVE-COVERS_W0QQitemZ260317231029QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMot ors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item260317231 029&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A543%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C2 40%3A1318

I bought an old set of the Cal Custom valvecovers that were around years ago, painted them Orange. I used 1/4-20 X 1 1/4 set screws, loctighted them into the head and then bought the cheapie screw on "T" handles, I like the deal with the set screws as this keeps the gasget in place and makes locating the valvecover much easyer. I have a solid Roller and I service the valve train very often the set screws make life alot easier.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii269/wineo468/valvetrain012.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii269/wineo468/1202861395-842343899960727_sized_64.jpg

I've run the same style valve cover as you have shown for the past 4 years...no hold downs needed.
Pic in sig...

those holddowns that look like a strip of metal (not the various bolt and whatnot) are not used with cast or fabricated valve covers. They're used with stamped tin type covers.

so I've done some shopping around, and I think I want to go with this setup:

I really think these will be some good gaskets to use

http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t329/ss1970chevelle454/felprovalvecovergaskets.jpg

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=FPP-1630

I don't think I will have to use these, but if I do, I like these

http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t329/ss1970chevelle454/morosovalvecoverholddowntabs.jpg

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=MOR-68516

I really like these too, and they are cheaper than the billet specialties hex type

http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t329/ss1970chevelle454/mrgasketbilletvalvecovernuts.jpg

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=MRG-5336

Any comments on this setup or advice?

I bought an old set of the Cal Custom valvecovers that were around years ago, painted them Orange. I used 1/4-20 X 1 1/4 set screws, loctighted them into the head and then bought the cheapie screw on "T" handles, I like the deal with the set screws as this keeps the gasget in place and makes locating the valvecover much easyer. I have a solid Roller and I service the valve train very often the set screws make life alot easier.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii269/wineo468/valvetrain012.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii269/wineo468/1202861395-842343899960727_sized_64.jpg

looks like you need some guide plate adjustments ! the rollers arent riding centers . I had the same issues with my canfields .

Nathan I have the same covers as you but powder coated orange and I am using these bolts

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160293907868&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&viewitem=

They used to make short end threaded into the heads 3/8" hex stock that was like 3.5" tall that had "T"-handles on them that fit hex splines so that you could line the "T"-handles all up in a neat row.

I don't know if they stiill sell them or not??


And as a matter a fact, Corvair valve cover hold downs were used back then, but I forget for SB's or BB's????

pdq67

SBC tin covers. I have 16 of these on two engines. The nice original Corvair ones are really hard to get now.