I have a 1987 custom cruiser with the 305 V8, it appears to be a common problem that the thin metal valley cover that also acts (somewhat) as a intake manifold gasket corrodes over time at the front of the engine. Engine coolant gets used up as it enters the combustion chamber. I am trying to keep this to as short as possible with my question. Does anyone know if this metal valley cover is available in stainless steel? It would appear that it would last much longer (if not forever). Thanks; please pardon the rather short explanation. John
Does that have an aluminum intake? Mine had the same problem but it was more from the aluminum intake corroding around the water ports. The 350 uses regular gaskets and no valley pan so it may be a lot different.
Just out of curiosity, do you have the Olds engine (which is 307CID)? The Chevy 305 should not have a turkey pan, and with the Olds engines (Olds 350 engines do use a turkey pan also, as I sliced, diced and julienned my right thumb when I did the intake on my '70 Delta 88), the front and back corners of the pan, on both sides of the ports, are supposed to be well-sealed with RTV silicone, and the coolant serviced every two years, without fail. It's the lack of coolant care that kills the turkey pan as well as any other intake gasket.
Actually, you don't. You have a 1987 Custom Cruiser with a 307 motor built by Oldsmobile. The eighth character of your VIN will be the letter "Y", which denotes the Olds-sourced 307. Oldsmobile never installed a 305 Chevy in a Custom Cruiser from the factory. The steel shim intake gasket has been used by Oldsmobile since 1964. I've owned two dozen of these cars since 1974 and never had a problem with leakage. I've also never seen the stock gasket "corroded". Does your 307 have the cast iron intake or the aluminum intake? It is possible for the aluminum intake to corrode around the water ports, especially if the coolant has not been maintained properly. If the intake has ever been off, most people install this gasket incorrectly, resulting in leaks. As always, one needs to follow the instructions in the factory service manual exactly. Olds specifies the use of RTV sealer around the water ports on the gasket before installation. In addition, there are embossed locating features on the gasket that fit into recesses in the heads. If these are not properly located before installing the manifold, it will leak. And of course, you cannot reuse the gasket. The embossed ridge around each port deforms when the intake is torqued to form the seal. Also be aware that the 7A heads on your engine have unique, tiny ports. Be sure to get the correct gasket for this application. Finally, the locating features I described above have been found to be improperly formed on some aftermaket gaskets recently. Be sure to dry-fit the gasket before final installation, and adjust or file the bosses if necessary.
"Actually, you don't. You have a 1987 Custom Cruiser with a 307 motor built by Oldsmobile. The eighth character of your VIN will be the letter "Y", which denotes the Olds-sourced 307. Oldsmobile never installed a 305 Chevy in a Custom Cruiser from the factory." I agree with you in regaurds to the Boxie 77-90 Custom Cruisers, but the 91-92 Round Custom Cruisers did get Chevy 305 or 350's. But you are basicly correct.
The OP has a 1987 Custom Cruiser, which is what my response was written for. Also, I don't consider the Chebby-powered 91-92 cars to be Oldsmobiles...
I recently bought a valley pan intake gasket for my 85 Custom Cruiser. Is that what you're talking about? It is sheet metal steel I think... =( and I STILL haven't replaced it yet. Also, if that's what you're looking for, you need to make sure you get the "correct" one. I think Joe P clued me in on that on the classic Olds site. Buz
Many thanks to all that replied. I stand corrected in that it is a 307. It is also the standard engine without aluminum manifold.
