I've never seen a valve cover broken before that wasn't beaten or molested by an accident or large fit of rage. I have no clue as to what could have done that to yours.

The metal ones probably give you more clearnance and look different...which is nice. Otherwise I doubt you'll see a difference.

As for removing them soon. Didn't i read about you thinking of rockers/cam?

I have a hunch that having a good amount of gas in the oil, which I believe was creating all that sludge on the covers might have weakened them causing them to break off like that. The front one felt very brittle and was falling apart in my hand. Just a hunch though.

I'm still considering a cam, but I've got headers and tranny work to do first. I already have 1:9 ratio modified rockers, which I've learned would have to go if I cammed it.

I've soaked them in nearly every type of solvent and never had them get like that. Yet, I'm not so perfect that I believe the fairy tale about knowing everything. I'll simply say...that'* odd Tom. Sorry it happened to you. It'* costly.

Unfortunately the rockers would come out. Depending on the cam you got and if you planned to do heads. You could concievably run 1.8'*.

I was going through receipts today and happened to come upon my ZZP receipt from when I had the rockers done. I was charged $20 for a used valve cover, so apparently this is not the first valve cover my car has destroyed? They could have possibly replaced the rear one and now the front one has gone. Funny I don't remember seeing that on the receipt before.

**edit** Also have the receipt from when Ken Nelson replaced the front valve cover gasket in January when I bought the car. I suppose something could have happened there as well. Those valve covers have seen a lot of attention this year.

Tom.. it'* odd and something is wacked. People don't break valve covers. It'* one of those things that would need a freak accident.

Lemme give you an example. I have a shelf around the top of my garage. It'* roughly 7 feet off the ground. Valve covers constantly slide off the pile of parts and hit the floor. They never break on me.

I've pried on them etc... These covers can take a beating. I find it very odd that you'd had to replace two.

I can't see them braking unless something is dropped on it. They are very strong.

Like I said, for some reason mine were feeling pretty fragile, I could peel the edges away, and it was very thin around the bolt holes towards the inside. These feel pretty sturdy though, even stronger than what I was thinking. I like the way they look to. I think this should be the end of my valve cover issues. ZZP also sent me 2 valve cover gaskets, even though I only ordered and paid for 1, because I thought I had 1 gasket already. Turns out I already had 2 gaskets, and ZZP sent me two, so I have a spare set.

I also ordered 2 different sized belts, the one that is supposed to be the correct size, and one size smaller since I'm right on the verge. I figure I will need the belt eventually, and I didn't want to take any chances.

All most have that car back on the road. Getting excited?

Very. Everything seemed to work out well. I hate driving my car around plowing through snow drifts, so this was a good week to drive the truck. It also gave me somewhere to put all my driveway snow!
But I'm definitely ready to be back in the car, and to be able to remote start in the morning. The more I think about it, it'* really going to need a tune though. I'm going to have to take it easy till it gets done.

Im looking for a job so we can split HPTuners