71LS5

Hi,
In 1971 some LS5's ran with stock Tanawanda Chrome valve covers. I beleive GM tried to use up what they had left over from the 1970 models? Anyway I have them on my 71 LS5. So I would like to hear from all 1971 LS5 owners to let me know if they have either:

1. Steel valve covers
or
Chrome valve covers

2. Production date if you have it?

Thanks in advance!

zwede

Mine had orange valve covers (no chrome). Built December 8th, 1970.

71LS5

Ok i will have to look at when mine was built.

carbster09

I had the orginal Orange valve covers. My car was built in May 1971. I put Offy's on for a little while and then Chrome. I am going back to the orginal ones after I get them cleaned up and painted nice.

Retro-sleeper ...

carbster

71LS5

thanks carbster!

1974ta

Optional up to about serial number 3000 in 71 then only orange!

BIll

Gage

#684 in 71, chrome

Bob Onit

I dont know if this helps but I have a 1970 El Camino SS with a 1971 LS5 engine and when I bought the engine from a '71 Corvette wreck it had orange covers that said "Tanawanda #1 team" or something very similar.

That was many years ago and the covers are long gone.

Corvetteran

I believe mine is a late model 70 and it has chrome valve covers; the one on the right has the "Tanawonda #1 Team" label on it.

One other peculiarity; the left hand valve cover does not have the typical indentation towards the back part, as is pictured in most of the catalogues that claim to sell the original factory type covers and that are usually cut at a drastic angle. Mine DOES have an indentation, but it is rather slight, not more than peening of the corner to create the indent. I thought that it might have been "modified" by a previous owner, but a thorough check leaves me with no doubt that it was a factory modified cover, since there are no markings on the inside and the chrome is intact in that area (otherwise, my covers do need to be re-chromed, since some rust is evident around some of the edges.

Any thoughts from Corvette history buffs........

Gage

I think this is another example of how GM would either run low on some parts and in order to keep the assm line moving, they would toss on whatever they had on hand as long as is it didn't sacrifice quality or performance OR they have surpluses of old parts and they figured why would someone complain about chrome valve covers. My 72 SB that I used to own had HD BB caps and bolts on the rear end instead of U bolts. The orig owner told me it came that way when he bought it in 72. Guess they ran out of u bolts that day, and put something better on to keep the line moving.

71LS5

Yes this is very interesting thank you guys!

I was thinking it was left-over run material used only at the begining of the 71 run but I think there may have been a shortage at the end of the run. My 71 is a later run with AMBER marker lights (means later run).

1971TA states it was an option. 1971TA can you identify this as a dealer option some how? It was not a factory option.

gofor28off

Interesting thread; found this by doing a Google search looking for exactly this info. I have an early March 71 build LS5 with chrome covers; VIN sequence 11383. Not certain if original to the car. Also has clear turn signal lenses.

Easy Mike

"Optional" might not be the correct word in this case. Valve covers were installed at the engine assembly plant, in this case Tonawanda, and shipped with the engine to St. Louis. If a change was made in valve covers, it would have occurred at Tonawanda.

Keep in mind, valve covers could be purchased over the counter at any Chevrolet dealer. If you had orange and wanted chrome, you could get the chrome from Chevrolet.

ftf396

Mine has a Feb. 5, 71 build date. Has orange covers and clear lens.

SD71VETTE

December 14, 1970....orange covers.

1971 LS-5

I wasn't sure what covers came on mine, so I went to a 1971 Corvette registry site that gave an approximate time when chevy switched over from the '70 chrome covers to the '71 painted covers. Basically it was the early '71 cars that got the chrome. Mine being built 12/9/71, the site said it should have come with chrome covers?

Mike Ward

March '71 serial number 11383 is not 'early' by any means.

I think you meant built 12/9/70, not '71

MrForce

Orange. I always felt cheated. Clear parking lens with amber bulbs.

Rob

scottyp99

Question: What do you think the chrome valve covers are made out of?

Scott

Mike Ward

Question:

Why (once again) are people digging up long-dead posts, and why are you replying to a guy that hasn't logged on since last May?