I just bought a set of center bolt valve covers for my 350 vortex engine. They are both the same, in other words this makes the PVC on the p***enger side to the front and the oil fill valve hole on the driver side back. There's only one hole in each cover. This is the only way they will line up and bolt on. I've always seen the PVC on the p***enger side back on SBC engines. Are the ones I bought made correct? I could swap and put the PVC on back driver side, but the trans and throttle cables would make it very tight.
PCV, not that it matters. But knowing that engine went in a few different vehicles, vans. trucks, cars...carbs and throttle bodies, I can see a reason for differences or different types of covers. That said, just because they are center bolt doesn't mean they came off a vortex engine.
Vortec, not that it matters Yeah, those OEM valve covers are probably better suited to actual use, as they have a dedicated oil fill cap, not just a breather that you have to remove to try to fill in the little hole.
Truth be told... Centerbolt V/C's were one of the best things to happen to a SBC. Along with the one piece rear main seal and one piece oil pan gasket! Ok... so 1 of 3 best things to happen to a SBC...
Of course, you could buy the adapter for putting a perimeter bolt valve cover on your 350 and make everybody confused. I just happen to have one that I'm never going to use.
In truth it shouldn't matter that much. Fresh air in one side, flows though the crank case and drawn out along with fumes, condensation and what not through the PCV valve on the other side. The main thing is that you have a working fully functioning crank case ventelation system. That goes right along with those cool old 60's engines that we ran back in the 70's with a breather in each valve cover and no draft tube or PCV valve and we always fought oil leaks. No actual ventelation system.
I prefer the PVC on the p*** side. It does not really matter if it is mon the front of the back. If your vacuum source for the PVC is on the rear of the engine on the rear of the engine is more convenient but some setups have the vac source on the front so . . . The oil fill on the rear driver side would be inconvenient as the devil though. I may be inclined to modify the covers and have the oil fill on the front.
I say tomato, he say's potato. As long as we understand it's something to eat, it's all good. I'm not sure if you need a seconder or a thirder, But I think all three were improvements.
I think it's called evolution. Coming of age towards the end of paper and cork type gaskets, then the era of sealants began. Then gaskets with sealants imbedded, then sealant gaskets. You'd think by now they'd have it all just about figured out? They don't it seems, but they are getting very close. It was an OT 76 Olds Cutl*** I owned with machined tops to the heads that impressed me. I knew then that GM did make better, I just wasn't told about it. Talk about a better idea in the chain of valve cover gasket evolution, machined surfaces. The keeping it in, keeping it from leaking pact, wasn't that the sign of prosperity and when the 2 year trade in started? Poor man fixed, rich man traded in. Rich man drives away, poor man hopes those after market valve covers stop the leaks. Check your oil, do your windshield sir? And yea, the days when 10 bucks of regular was good for a night of drive the wheels off. But Willywash's Vortec valve cover issue... Buyer beware. I'm guessing from the many I discovered searching, you just chose wrong for what you wanted. I'm sure they are correct as you questioned. If you can't use them sell them and buy another set seems to be a good option.
Just saying when I started wiping windshields, Everybody got change back from their Five bucks. A big night was three. Two was standard. Many took one. They don't smell quite the same.
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