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Hey all, I want to ensure I install the correct valve covers on my early 69 350/350. The engine build date is September of 1968. The 1968 valve covers for the 350 HP engine were flash chrome painted. The 1969 350 HP were the aluminum with ribbed top. With nearly all components of this engine being from 1968 ... does that apply to these valve covers as well? I am attempting to be as NCRS correct. TIA
Last edited by Bremquest; Nov 28, 2020 at 12:30 PM.
Bremquest,
The valve covers for small block '69's were very different from '68 in that the left side had a provision for oil fill whereas the '68 did not. The '68 350 covers were flash chromed. The '69 350 covers were, according to the 6th (newest) judging guide were "...cast aluminum with ribbed tops. They are not highly polished but have as cast finish. There are two openings on the driver's (LH) side cover, the forward for the PCV and the rear one for the oil filler cap. The passenger's (RH) side has one opening for the air cleaner breathe inlet and a crossed-flag emblem toward the front."
I would suggest that if you are looking to have your car factory correct, you should purchase this guide from NCRS. It may not be perfect but it is loaded with excellent information. BTW- I was on the team that updated this edition so I truly believe it to be a valuable tool.
Hope this helps.
Jeff
Bremquest,
The valve covers for small block '69's were very different from '68 in that the left side had a provision for oil fill whereas the '68 did not. The '68 350 covers were flash chromed. The '69 350 covers were, according to the 6th (newest) judging guide were "...cast aluminum with ribbed tops. They are not highly polished but have as cast finish. There are two openings on the driver's (LH) side cover, the forward for the PCV and the rear one for the oil filler cap. The passenger's (RH) side has one opening for the air cleaner breathe inlet and a crossed-flag emblem toward the front."
I would suggest that if you are looking to have your car factory correct, you should purchase this guide from NCRS. It may not be perfect but it is loaded with excellent information. BTW- I was on the team that updated this edition so I truly believe it to be a valuable tool.
Hope this helps.
Jeff
Thank you for the information. I have been using the (4th Edition) NCRS Corvette Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide as reference. I am finally to the point of installing the engine, but can't for the life of me remember why I chose these valve covers. Looks like I need to purchase the cast aluminum w/ ribbed tops
Last edited by Bremquest; Nov 28, 2020 at 08:30 PM.
Looks good. The aluminum valve covers are available new or used. Make sure you get the correct version with the chrome oil cap. Later LT1 versions take a push in rubber oil cap. What is your vins last 4 digits? I have 1291 L46 built Sept 11, 1968.
BTW, the timing tab should not be painted.
Looks good though.
Joe
Looks good. The aluminum valve covers are available new or used. Make sure you get the correct version with the chrome oil cap. Later LT1 versions take a push in rubber oil cap. What is your vins last 4 digits? I have 1291 L46 built Sept 11, 1968.
BTW, the timing tab should not be painted.
Looks good though.
Joe
These are correct. The finish is smooth "as cast" right out of the mould. You may be able to zoom in and see the flow marks in the metal. There are short reliefs on the intake manifold side that are also unique to the '69 covers. There are no drippers on the inside for '69. The later design covers have drippers over the rocker arms and wide reliefs on the intake maifold side. Many later covers are polished so the finish is wrong for '69.
Drivers side.
Last edited by stingr69; Nov 29, 2020 at 08:44 AM.
Also, be sure that the stamp pad is unpainted as in stingr69's is. If you did paint that area, be sure to remove all paint including inside the numbers/letters so there is no evidence of paint anywhere.
Jeff
Also, be sure that the stamp pad is unpainted as in stingr69's is. If you did paint that area, be sure to remove all paint including inside the numbers/letters so there is no evidence of paint anywhere.
Jeff
You should remove the paint on the thermostat outlet and water pump outlet. As when clamping the hoses since it now smooth under pressure the hoses could easily slip off.
These are correct. The finish is smooth "as cast" right out of the mould. You may be able to zoom in and see the flow marks in the metal. There are short reliefs on the intake manifold side that are also unique to the '69 covers. There are no drippers on the inside for '69. The later design covers have drippers over the rocker arms and wide reliefs on the intake maifold side. Many later covers are polished so the finish is wrong for '69.
Drivers side.
slight correction concerning drippers. Have my 69 since early 73. It is a Nov. 69 build. The covers have drippers.
Good example of the "shiny" style covers with 1 long relief and 1 shorter relief on the side facing the intake manifold. They might fit and function but will be wrong for an NCRS '69.
You can refinish polished covers and get pretty close to original "as cast" finish. The cutouts are still wrong on later issue covers but the covers are easy to take care of and look the part. These are later design that have been refinished to look like the older style. These are installed on my Camaro.
I prefer to use dripper type covers on pivot ball rocker arm applications to improve durability.
Good example of the "shiny" style covers with 1 long relief and 1 shorter relief on the side facing the intake manifold. They might fit and function but will be wrong for an NCRS '69.
You can refinish polished covers and get pretty close to original "as cast" finish. The cutouts are still wrong on later issue covers but the covers are easy to take care of and look the part. These are later design that have been refinished to look like the older style. These are installed on my Camaro.
I prefer to use dripper type covers on pivot ball rocker arm applications to improve durability.
Your covers have textured look to them. Here are what new NOS correct covers looked like installed but have not had the engine run. As you can see they have a minimal reflective look to them.
These '69 valve covers each have (2) short 3" cut outs on the edges close to the intake manifold and no drippers inside. If the covers have drippers inside and one of the cut outs is longer on each cover, they will not be correct for '69.
NCRS will not look under the covers for drippers but covers with the long cutout is a dead giveaway.
The covers are aged also if they are later design. The deduction for originality would be for Configuration and Date out 16 points a 3 point deduction. For Condition 14 points most likely a 2 to 3 point deduction. Note that I have never seen anyone restore the covers to their original finish look some say they can but have yet to see one that has. The oil fill cap is not an original should look like this but chromed. Note the "S" has a smaller opening at the top verses the bottom reproduction the "S" is the same size top and bottom. The "S" is Stant Corporation..
Bremquest,
The valve covers for small block '69's were very different from '68 in that the left side had a provision for oil fill whereas the '68 did not. The '68 350 covers were flash chromed. The '69 350 covers were, according to the 6th (newest) judging guide were "...cast aluminum with ribbed tops. They are not highly polished but have as cast finish. There are two openings on the driver's (LH) side cover, the forward for the PCV and the rear one for the oil filler cap. The passenger's (RH) side has one opening for the air cleaner breathe inlet and a crossed-flag emblem toward the front."
I would suggest that if you are looking to have your car factory correct, you should purchase this guide from NCRS. It may not be perfect but it is loaded with excellent information. BTW- I was on the team that updated this edition so I truly believe it to be a valuable tool.
Hope this helps.
Jeff
I have an EARLY '69 L-46.(Nov.68) 36k miles=Cast aluminum covers.
NCRS question - early 1969 Corvette
