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Metal valve cover compatibility
Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 12:23 pm
by D-Railed_Neon
What years metal valve covers work/fit a stock 01-02 SOHC?
Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 12:35 pm
by occasional demons
96 and up will bolt directly on. PCV plumbing is a bit different.
Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 12:54 pm
by D-Railed_Neon
Perfect! Now are all 01-02 standard SOHC Plastic? I believe the magnums are metal but, won't bolt to the standard SOHC head. But all 96-99 Are metal and will bolt up, is that right?
Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 1:07 pm
by Danteneon
All 00-05 non-Magnum VCs are plastic. The 01-04 Magnum covers are metal and bolt right on.
Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 1:09 pm
by D-Railed_Neon
sweet guys thanks for the help. looking for one to powder coat, this helps a lot!
Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:45 pm
by jonnymopar
I got a 96 valve cover for my 03 when I went the powdercoated route. Still looks great after 5 years!
Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:13 pm
by D-Railed_Neon
That's why i would rather powder coat a metal valve cover then paint a plastic one. Plus thanks to this forum and NeonParabola I have someone I have confidence in for the powder coating. Good to know yours is still shiny. do you have pics? in fact if anyone has pics of a powder coated valve cover feel free to post at this point

Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 9:06 am
by Danteneon
Here is a pic of mine when I got it about 3 years ago. I got it used so I don't know how old it is, but I would say about 5 years.
And here is a pic from about a month ago...
Still looks great

Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 1:31 am
by D-Railed_Neon
Sexy!!!!! Exactly what I was thinking. I want to go a metallic blue. My neon is steel blue so great example dante.
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 9:36 am
by jonnymopar
Sorry for the shitty picture:
I'll get a pic of it on the car. This was taken years ago, just before it was installed.
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 4:28 pm
by NickKo
occasional demons wrote:96 and up will bolt directly on. PCV plumbing is a bit different.
Yes.
I will be 'upgrading' the 2000 Neon in our family, to the 1st-gen Neon valvecover.
- Nick
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 1:59 am
by D-Railed_Neon
looking good

. Now, as far as pcv is concerned, do I need different boots for the lines, or are the nipples (giggle) the same size as our 2gn s? and I assume I would also need a new 1gn gasket as well?
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 7:23 am
by NickKo
D-Railed_Neon wrote:looking good

. Now, as far as pcv is concerned, do I need different boots for the lines, or are the nipples (giggle) the same size as our 2gn s? and I assume I would also need a new 1gn gasket as well?
You'll need to switch to the 1st-gen PCV and hoses.
Keep in mind that the 1995 Neon valvecover is 'different'.
It's the one that has the coil pack mounted on a separate bracket.
The 1995 Neon had a different PCV system, so
don't use that valvecover.
Anything 1996-1999 will work O.K. on a 2nd gen Neon - just change over the PCV system and you'll be set.
- Nick
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 7:24 am
by occasional demons
You either need a 1gn style PCV valve, and vacuum tubing, or a little creativity to use the 2gn PCV valve. (A 3/8 pipe to 3/8 barb adapter will do this)
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:08 pm
by jonnymopar
Huh, I just remembered:
viewtopic.php?t=9787
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:25 pm
by D-Railed_Neon
read. Thanks man, that gives some direction. So I need pcv lines from a 1gn or ghetto rig myself some new ones. and then does the valve cover have a gasket to speak of, and if so I need a 1gn one right?
Also....Thanks to you jonnymopar, and our friend esteinmaier I just got my jm shifter cradle bushings

These will go sweet with my maddog and boogers. so....

and stuff..
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 1:36 pm
by occasional demons
D-Railed_Neon wrote: and the valve cover gasket need a 1gn one right?
jonnymopar wrote:
Also, for anyone's information, I looked up the gaskets for it and the 1gn gasket IS different than the 2gn. The 1gn gasket has loops that go around where the bolts come through and the 2gn just follows toward the inside of the bolts. Here's what I mean:
2gn:
link has expired
1gn:
link has expired
Adapter to use the 2gn PVC valve. This was more of a rough draft, compression fitting not really needed. Like I said, it can be a barb fitting to use rubber hose.
The benefit of locating it like this, is if you use a catch can, it is not under manifold vacuum. One less place for a vacuum leak. Plus it can be drained whether the engine is running or not.
Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 10:44 am
by NickKo
I'll see if I can find & post a picture of the 1st gen PCV hose system later, "for reference".
I'm sure I have a 'tech photo' from one of my 1st gen Neons, in my pile of pictures.....
- Nick
Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 11:19 am
by occasional demons
In the link Jon provided, it has the 1gn valve similar to what the 1gn set up is, the 1gn valve is more underneath the IM tho. A little more of a PITA to get to.

Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 11:40 am
by NickKo
occasional demons wrote:In the link Jon provided, it has the 1gn valve similar to what the 1gn set up is, the 1gn valve is more underneath the IM tho. A little more of a PITA to get to.

A little bit more of a PITA to get to, yes, but worth it, IMO.
- Nick
Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 7:28 pm
by occasional demons
I meant on the 1gn, the set up you pictured doesn't look too bad at all for access. (This is assuming the daughter's 1gn had the oem correct hoses, it was a good bit farther in.)
Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 11:52 pm
by D-Railed_Neon
Sorry but, n00bin out here for a second. Am I correct in the assumption that, the only benefit to using the 1gn PCV valve as opposed to a simple tube would be that, the pcv limits/stops oil from entering the intake manny? And if so, would a simple catch can solve that dilemma? Or am I missing/misunderstanding something about PCV valve operation?
Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2011 11:14 pm
by chew*
D-Railed_Neon wrote:Sorry but, n00bin out here for a second. Am I correct in the assumption that, the only benefit to using the 1gn PCV valve as opposed to a simple tube would be that, the pcv limits/stops oil from entering the intake manny? And if so, would a simple catch can solve that dilemma? Or am I missing/misunderstanding something about PCV valve operation?
Benefits, metal cover that can be painted, less oil down intake but not a fix for the real issue which requires head removal to fix right.
Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2011 11:24 pm
by D-Railed_Neon
Uh what issue is that? I only plan on switching the VC for cosmetic reasons. No other need than to change the look of the middle of my engine compartment, and bring some bling to compliment my polished magnum IM