BBC Valve Cover Identification
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
BBC Valve Cover Identification
Anyone know what these valve covers came on?
The passenger side looks identical to a Corvette valve cover but the driver side has a couple of brackets spot welded to it that I've never seen on any Corvette before.
They also do not have drippers on the underside.
cc
The passenger side looks identical to a Corvette valve cover but the driver side has a couple of brackets spot welded to it that I've never seen on any Corvette before.
They also do not have drippers on the underside.
cc
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,381
Likes: 2,605
From: Burning Jet-A
THey are simply big block gen 2 valve covers. They were probably used in some car or truck application 1970's to 1980's. The location of the spark plug wire grommet is at a later position so probably post 72. Just guessing the middle breather location on the one is "80"s to me. They are not Corvette covers because there is no power brake relief on the driver side. They will fit a Corvette non power brake car, but will not look right.
Repros are avail in chrome (correct for C-3) for about 30 bucks.
Repros are avail in chrome (correct for C-3) for about 30 bucks.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
THey are simply big block gen 2 valve covers. They were probably used in some car or truck application 1970's to 1980's. The location of the spark plug wire grommet is at a later position so probably post 72. Just guessing the middle breather location on the one is "80"s to me. They are not Corvette covers because there is no power brake relief on the driver side. They will fit a Corvette non power brake car, but will not look right.
Repros are avail in chrome (correct for C-3) for about 30 bucks.
Repros are avail in chrome (correct for C-3) for about 30 bucks.
The plug wire retainers are all correct for my 72, just the brackets on the driver side are odd. There is one on the intake manifold side by the PCV hole and one on the exhaust manifold side on the bolt flange.
I do have a set of the chrome ones but they are not right for my 72. They just look nice.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
THey are simply big block gen 2 valve covers. They were probably used in some car or truck application 1970's to 1980's. The location of the spark plug wire grommet is at a later position so probably post 72. Just guessing the middle breather location on the one is "80"s to me. They are not Corvette covers because there is no power brake relief on the driver side. They will fit a Corvette non power brake car, but will not look right.
Repros are avail in chrome (correct for C-3) for about 30 bucks.
Repros are avail in chrome (correct for C-3) for about 30 bucks.
I think the covers are atleast post '75. I don't recall the 75' 454 having the wire looms at the bottom
Last edited by FRSTR90; Jan 4, 2008 at 12:27 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
The power brake relief was only for the C-2 cars. The '68's also came with the power brake relief and didn't need them. I've seen numerous people run the tall vavle covers and power brakes with no problems.
I think the covers are atleast post '75. I don't recall the 75' 454 having the wire looms at the bottom
I think the covers are atleast post '75. I don't recall the 75' 454 having the wire looms at the bottom
I can tell that I do not need the brake relief with the covers I have now. No where near the power booster. There was no mention of a relief area in the restoration giudes.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
I think it read some where in one of those corvette books ( its been a while) and they mentioned it was for C2's and GM used their left over vavle covers for the '68.
Didn't the '71s come standard with the painted covers. I thought it was an option to get chrome.
BTW - are you going to add the painted screw on cap? That is what hole in the middle is for correct? Atleast, for my '75 C20 it is.
Didn't the '71s come standard with the painted covers. I thought it was an option to get chrome.
BTW - are you going to add the painted screw on cap? That is what hole in the middle is for correct? Atleast, for my '75 C20 it is.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
I think it read some where in one of those corvette books ( its been a while) and they mentioned it was for C2's and GM used their left over vavle covers for the '68.
Didn't the '71s come standard with the painted covers. I thought it was an option to get chrome.
BTW - are you going to add the painted screw on cap? That is what hole in the middle is for correct? Atleast, for my '75 C20 it is.
Didn't the '71s come standard with the painted covers. I thought it was an option to get chrome.
BTW - are you going to add the painted screw on cap? That is what hole in the middle is for correct? Atleast, for my '75 C20 it is.
I haven't decided on the painted oil cap. I didn't know it was screw on, I thought it was rubber press on. Really don't have a lot of choice, either leave it black or paint it orange. Chrome would look goofy.
cc
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Apple Valley MN
All 70s and 71s up to s/n 4000 got the chrome valve covers. After that only painted were used, and chrome wasn't an option.
Can anyone provide a link to $30 repro correct chrome valve covers? I need a set and all I can find is $450 and up.
Can anyone provide a link to $30 repro correct chrome valve covers? I need a set and all I can find is $450 and up.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
For that price they are obviously Chinese but the chrome is tons better than the flash chrome that GM used. I know that bothers some people.
Last edited by CCrane65; Jan 4, 2008 at 10:55 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
I looked on ebay.. There are several for $30 and they look stock except they don't have the drippers. I assume they are made in China as well. If you don't mind that, then go for 'em. However, you can tell they are not correct because the dripper rails were spot welded which cause little dimples on the exterior. If you do, decide to go that route make sure you get the tonawanda decal. I bet most wouldn't know the difference!
I agree about the flash chrome. It doesn't have a mirror finish at all! My dad has an original set laying around that doesn't have the relief for the corvette. It came w/ his '68 Chevelle SS 396/375
I agree about the flash chrome. It doesn't have a mirror finish at all! My dad has an original set laying around that doesn't have the relief for the corvette. It came w/ his '68 Chevelle SS 396/375
Last edited by FRSTR90; Jan 4, 2008 at 11:03 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
The '71s used both chromed and painted covers. The chrome wasnt an option, they simply just used the left over covers from the '70 production. I've read in the Corvette '71 registry that some mid '71s had the factory chrome covers. My '71 is February production and it seems it has the factory chrome covers (still not %100 sure, but it sure looks like a factory covers, and last 2 PO confirmed that).
