When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a 1975 coupe with the 169hp motor in it. As I cannot afford much in the way of a complete rebuild/crate, I thought I would clean up the engine compartment. I am looking at replacing with chrome the following:
Valve covers, Alternator, Starter, plugs, wires, Air Filter, timing cover to start with. Are these parts a simple swap out or do I need additional help in "dialing in" these components?
all those thing can can add up pretty quick. The pulleys and brackets can be changed to chrome also a can of krylon can clean up your engine pretty quick
I wouldn't bother with timing cover or starter for bling. You can barely see those items.
Ebay is a good source for cheap bling items. Just make sure you know what fits your engine. 75 Chevy 350, should be plenty of choices.
Cleaning up the intake manifold and repaint and the brake booster can help with a cleaner look. Also radiator hose and thermostat housing.
When I rebuilt the top end of my engine, I used a grinder on the water pump and thermostat housing and sprayed both with a silver hi-temp paint. That brought a lot of clean/color to the top end. I sanded and re-painted the OEM air cleaner with a low-gloss black krylon. Chrome valve covers and black hold downs added contrast. Paint your intake to match the OEM color, nice color-matched distributor cap and 8mm Taylor Spiro Pro wires will really finish it off. If the alternator is dirty, try cleaning with a grinder but since it is aluminum, avoid ammonia. Simple green may help with grease stains. A/C compressor, sand/paint low-gloss black. Will really clean up the underhood area.
Hi J,
If you decide to buy some chromed pieces be careful where they're coming from.
China does some pretty bad plating…. that's why some of the pieces seem relatively inexpensive.
Regards,
Alan
The timing cover replacement requires the removal of the harmonic balancer, you need a special puller to do this. You can hardly see it so I wouldn't bother unless I was changing the camshaft. Plug wires are easy if you do one at a time so you don't mix them up.
If I had to do it all over Id spend more on making power and nothing on bling in fact go to great lengths to make it look stock as possible, smog pump and all.