New to the Vette world
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 234
Likes: 12
New to the Vette world
This is my first post on this website. I have always worked on Fords, so my first experience with a Chevy and a 70 Stingray has been fun, so far. It is so very different! I have a question for you who know Vettes. My car has the stock 350 motor. It has been rebuilt, but I don't like the orange intake manifold or orange valve covers. I have ordered chrome valve covers, but not sure which intake manifold to get. It cannot be high rise so there is no problem with the hood. What suggestions do you have?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Welcome to the vette world, where life is faster......
I have a much modified '72 vert, 350 '89 truck block, L98 Aluminum heads, and a highly modified LT1 intake with HEI in back....
and of course it is Direct Port Fuel Injection.....about like what you find on a '88-91 vette.....I have had my car ince '95 and so there is nothing stock on the car, from wheels through roof, stem to stern......
IMO, get a later vette/F body--camaro/firebird FI induction and do it that way....pick up about 5-6 mpg in typical driving, all the advantages of modern performance....
course it does suck up some wiring/soldering, but it's a useful skill worth having.....
See pix below just for grins.....
I have a much modified '72 vert, 350 '89 truck block, L98 Aluminum heads, and a highly modified LT1 intake with HEI in back....and of course it is Direct Port Fuel Injection.....about like what you find on a '88-91 vette.....I have had my car ince '95 and so there is nothing stock on the car, from wheels through roof, stem to stern......
IMO, get a later vette/F body--camaro/firebird FI induction and do it that way....pick up about 5-6 mpg in typical driving, all the advantages of modern performance....
course it does suck up some wiring/soldering, but it's a useful skill worth having.....
See pix below just for grins.....
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,303
Likes: 4,391
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi RR,
I really can't help on a low rise aluminum manifold…. but I can suggest that you try to start some 'therapy' during which you'll come to LOVE Chevrolet Orange!!!!!
Regards,
Alan
I really can't help on a low rise aluminum manifold…. but I can suggest that you try to start some 'therapy' during which you'll come to LOVE Chevrolet Orange!!!!!
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Welcome to the Corvette Forum.
First off I would suggest you getting the correct aluminum valve covers that were available. If you still want your chrome valve covers...that is fine also but you have to be careful in how they are made and if you find that trying to 'just install them'...they may not go as you like. Hopeful;ly the chrome valve covers you purchased are made out of good thick steel and also have the baffles in them.
AS for the intake manifold.....GOOD LUCK on that one because you can EASILY open up a can of worms on that one and wish you did not think of putting an aluminum intake on it.
DUB
First off I would suggest you getting the correct aluminum valve covers that were available. If you still want your chrome valve covers...that is fine also but you have to be careful in how they are made and if you find that trying to 'just install them'...they may not go as you like. Hopeful;ly the chrome valve covers you purchased are made out of good thick steel and also have the baffles in them.
AS for the intake manifold.....GOOD LUCK on that one because you can EASILY open up a can of worms on that one and wish you did not think of putting an aluminum intake on it.
DUB
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,303
Likes: 4,391
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi RR,
DUB's idea about the aluminum valve covers is a good one.
If you used those valve covers and kept the cast iron manifold you's then be close to the appearance of the 350 hp engine offered during the 70 model year!!!!…. a very nice looking sb engine.
Regards,
Alan
DUB's idea about the aluminum valve covers is a good one.
If you used those valve covers and kept the cast iron manifold you's then be close to the appearance of the 350 hp engine offered during the 70 model year!!!!…. a very nice looking sb engine.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Apr 22, 2017 at 07:10 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Welcome and congrats on a great year,
Cool, a cat into modifacations to suit his personal tastes...build your car your way,
No amount of therapy will ever make me a fan of chevy orange but i am running my block orange this time,
Fits my builds theme,
There are so many chrome valve covers out there i have zero idea which you scored, but the low end ones will be thin, flash chromed and not epic,
I personally like aftermarket aluminum covers better, so many looks to choose from, i like the old cal custom style,
As for aluminum intakes, most c3s here run them, even the factory used them,
i recall the first one i ever changed out on a camaro when i was 13-14, its not hard to do, i cheated i had a book i went by, you are a ford guy so you see gm put the dizzy on the wrong end, lol
Lots of guys will chime in about which intake you can fit under the stock hood i do believe most run dropped base air cleaners, and the performer air gap is well loved, i have the base performer on my 454, different creature than your small block,
Cheers,
B
Ps, when you can post some pictures,
Cool, a cat into modifacations to suit his personal tastes...build your car your way,
No amount of therapy will ever make me a fan of chevy orange but i am running my block orange this time,
Fits my builds theme,
There are so many chrome valve covers out there i have zero idea which you scored, but the low end ones will be thin, flash chromed and not epic,
I personally like aftermarket aluminum covers better, so many looks to choose from, i like the old cal custom style,
As for aluminum intakes, most c3s here run them, even the factory used them,
i recall the first one i ever changed out on a camaro when i was 13-14, its not hard to do, i cheated i had a book i went by, you are a ford guy so you see gm put the dizzy on the wrong end, lol
Lots of guys will chime in about which intake you can fit under the stock hood i do believe most run dropped base air cleaners, and the performer air gap is well loved, i have the base performer on my 454, different creature than your small block,
Cheers,
B
Ps, when you can post some pictures,
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 273
From: Dunedin NZ.
Choose carefully, most aluminium manifolds out there will not fit under a stock 70 hood. I'm using a Performer RPS on my 70 but in reality it is a little too close to the hood even with a drop base air cleaner.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
paint it up any way you like
I went grey with everything else aluminum
like the repop lt1 covers
Got a real nice performer Qjet in black if youre in need.
Was saving it for a future project that will probably never happen
I went grey with everything else aluminum
like the repop lt1 covers
Got a real nice performer Qjet in black if youre in need.
Was saving it for a future project that will probably never happen
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 234
Likes: 12
Thanks for all the input so far! I like the change from the Ford blue to the Chevy orange. I also like the idea of having chrome valve covers, but keeping the orange intake. Thanks for the picture, Alan 71, they do look good together. I am a factory guy, so I like original looks. But then again the aluminum intake from Sunflower 72 looks great, too. Help me: if I choose to keep the orange factory intake, what is the best paint to use to keep it from peeling off? Is there some good canned spray paint or must I spray out in the yard?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 520
From: McClellandtown, Pa.
Thanks for all the input so far! I like the change from the Ford blue to the Chevy orange. I also like the idea of having chrome valve covers, but keeping the orange intake. Thanks for the picture, Alan 71, they do look good together. I am a factory guy, so I like original looks. But then again the aluminum intake from Sunflower 72 looks great, too. Help me: if I choose to keep the orange factory intake, what is the best paint to use to keep it from peeling off? Is there some good canned spray paint or must I spray out in the yard?
I used Dupli-Color Chevy orange on mine about two years ago. But it wasn't on the car at the time. My words of caution to you would be to only use a couple light coats. Putting it on too heavy makes it look super nice and shiny new initially but down the road it will start to crack. That's what mine is starting to do a little now. They never put much paint on them originally at the factory. Didn't have that much time to spend on them. But I do drive it often during the season.
I agree with getting a set of original Corvette aluminum HP valve covers for it though. They might be pricy but well worth it in appearance.
Here's a couple pics of mine. The first is for originality and judging and the second more recent is "for me"! Very easily can be put back to original looking whenever I want. Just all part of the fun!
Have a great day
Tooch
Last edited by Tooch1; Apr 23, 2017 at 09:47 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 520
From: McClellandtown, Pa.
I like the look too, and it was not difficult to do. I couldn't pass up the valve covers. They still were in their original boxes and were never installed on a car. I did polish them even though they shouldn't be. But that's how I wanted them to look.
I think it's probably the result of having too much time on my hands, or just never being satisfied
It is a lot less crowded under there without the smog stuff. Note the original seal in the second pic above. I was glad to recently find that too in pretty decent (still round) condition, very tough to do. The other one in the pics is a repro, but gives a more neater appearance. Those things were pretty smooshed from day one. They were also very sloppily glued to the top flange. I'll bet that's why they all look deformed, as soon as the closed the hood on them, plus the heat over the years did them in. That is my least favorite part on the 73-75 cars. Their original smashed appearance seems to always take away from the overall appearance of the engine bay. That's just my opinion though!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Tooch
Last edited by Tooch1; Apr 23, 2017 at 10:11 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 984
From: Wauconda IL
I had the same concerns about peeling. That's why I bit the bullet and had it powder coated. Very easy to keep it clean.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 477
From: NSW, Australia
C3 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
I like the Chevy Orange (much more than GM Corporate Blue!), particularly offset against the later L82 black valve covers:
But then I'm the kind of heretic who paints a Ford Cleveland red:
Or an MG BMC A Series engine for that matter:
But then I'm the kind of heretic who paints a Ford Cleveland red:
Or an MG BMC A Series engine for that matter:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 984
From: Wauconda IL