Bill Carrier

I have a 350 , I think it's a 1983 in 1977 vette. The previous owner of the car is of no help. He installed cheap aftermarket covers, and I have a leak coming from the corners of the covers. I'd like a good quality cover, something that is less prone to warping.
So I am looking for help in knowing what to buy.

Oh and one other requirement....my wife likes chrome, and if it has Corvette on it would be even better. A wise man does not argue with his wife But what I really want is a good quality cover. Something I hope will seal.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

claysmoker

I like cast covers. If you must have Corvette, here are some:

http://www.yourcovers.com/valve_covers.html

www.billetspecialties.com are good pieces too.

REELAV8R

So far I have found that the secret to non-leaking valve covers is the gasket used, long spreader bars a flat surface to start with and NOT over torquing the bolts.
I use stamped steel, chromed covers with the best felpro gasket and aftermarket long spreader bars torqued lightly. My covers just have 350 stamped into them. Off of ebay. Cheap price, don't leak, have baffles, chrome not peeling off.

spreader bars like these.
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...?csid=155&sb=2

gasket 1628, like this one.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fe...FVY0aQodCWsBlA

Kid Vette

I think cast aluminum covers seal much better than stamped steel. You can just get plain cast aluminum covers and personalize them like I did.

Carl in LA

Cast.

No flex in the flange increases the odds of no leaks.

Bill Carrier

That is a interesting idea. I seem to be lacking in imagination, how did you locate someone to personalize the covers?

Bill Carrier

Everyone, Thank you for taking the time to give me your thoughts.
I'm in Michigan, so I have the next couple months to find new covers.

Kacyc3

I have stamped steel chrome on my car and am trying to find alum. center bolt covers for a good price.

REELAV8R

Hey Kidvette those are really sharp looking valve covers with the personalization. Where did you get them? Is that powder coating on them?

Kid Vette

The valve covers are just plain cast aluminum. I milled a pocket in them and then had it powder coated black. Then I had the "Mako Shark" laser etched into the powder coating. I created a CAD file of the Mako Shark logo for the laser etcher to use. If i had it to do over again I would probably just have the Mako Shark logo milled into the valve cover and then highlight it with red or black paint. Something more like this:





The Mako Shark CAD file is available to anyone the wants to use it. I started on a Stingray CAD file but never quite finished it.