Re: [Chevelle-List] Water Pump

[Herbert Lumpp]

If you have a long water pump there will be a gap between the back of the pump and the timing chain cover, a short water pump touches the timing chain cover.   From what I've seen, the stock big block valve covers used with power brakes have a dimple where the brake booster would hit.  After market companies such as Master Power Brakes sells small diameter boosters that are supposed to clear tall valve covers.   Since you have a big block, there are 7 bolts to hold the valve cover in place (much better than the 4 bolts on a small block).  I've found the best way to prevent leaks is to use aluminum valve covers.  The steel covers tend to bend where the bolts go through.  Even if you are careful not to overtighten the bolts, the steel covers seem to bend over time anyway.  Currently I have cast aluminum covers on my 454 with the cheap black rubber gaskets that come in the rebuild kits with no leaks.  The black rubber gaskets seem to stick to the head and cover pretty good but not so good that you can't get the valve covers off.  I have a set of Fel-pro steel core cork gaskets still in the package waiting in case the cheap gaskets give up.   cYa-   Herb Lumpp 1966 El Camino ACES #3509 http://web.tampabay.rr.com/herbsworld/index.htm     ----- Original Message ----- From: Lojac To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2002 7:45 PM Subject: [Chevelle-List] Water Pump How do you know if you have a short or long water pump?  Will tall valve covers fit on a 396 in a Chevelle with a power brake booster, or do you have to use the ahort ones?  Any advice on installing valve covers to prevent leaks?  I like the long bolt posts (not sure what the technical term for them is) that are used to attach the valve cover to the head.  Any comments on them?  Good (leak free) or bad (leak prone)?   Lojac