OK so I've installed the GoWesty aluminum valve covers. Here's what I found:

The gasket seat on the covers had some untrimmed casting(?) artifacts
consisting of circular dimples with raised metal around part of
their circumference. This is likely the cause of reported leaks. I
de-burred them with a dremel tool  and installed them.

The bail is very beefy and is either chromed or stainless steel and slides
up a ramp like structure built into the cover. Very nice tight fit. There
are also cooling fins on these covers which may be a good heat exchanger.

I've done some serious driving since installing them with no sign of oil
getting past the gaskets.

These covers are actually less expensive than the OEM steel ones that
GoWesty also carries. They look very much at home on the 2.1L stock engine.

John Meeks
'91 Vanagon MV Phoenix
Northern Michigan

Vanagon Rescue Squad
www.vanagonauts.com

On Fri, Jul 20, 2012 at 11:01 PM, John Meeks <vanagon@gmail.com> wrote:

> Bill,
> Thanks for the info.  They do sound a bit iffy.
>
> I'm not going for the bling factor.  My original covers are rusting away
> and I'm hoping aluminum will be more resistant to to the winter road salt.
>
> For $30 I may give it a try.  I'll post the results.
>
> This message was autocompleted by my *#�* smart phone.
>
> John Meeks
>
> http://www.vanagonauts.com
> Vanagon Rescue Squad
> On Jul 20, 2012 2:15 PM, "Bill M" <billmonk@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I just talked to someone this past weekend at West River Westies who was
>> having issues with them leaking oil.
>> The solution was taking a set of gaskets and glue them together. Then
>> after their dry using a sealant to adhere them
>> to the valve cover. No problems now. If you could find a set
>> of thicker gaskets you might be fine as is.
>> I personally don't find the "bling" factor on these worth the
>> extra hassle. A better option would be to have a set of stock
>> ones powder coated in a different color.
>>
>> Bill
>>
>> On Jul 19, 2012, at 8:36 PM, John Meeks <vanagon@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>>
>> > Hi list,
>> >
>> > Has anyone here installed these? Fit and finish? Pros or Cons?
>> > http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23641
>> >
>> > John Meeks
>> > '91 Vanagon MV Phoenix
>> > Northern Michigan
>> >
>> > Vanagon Rescue Squad
>> > www.vanagonauts.com
>>
>