Valve Cover Question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Airy MD
Valve Cover Question
Went to look at a 73 coupe last night. Vin# calls for an L48 engine but the valve covers are not the plain red ones, they are the cast ones. Owner claims the engine is matching. I forgot to check the block #, but I haven't closed the deal pending an inspection. Does anyone know of instances where the factory could have started using these covers instead of the plain red ones?
TonyD :rolleyes:
TonyD :rolleyes:
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: New Hill NC
Re: Valve Cover Question (TonyD13658)
I replaced my plain red ones on my 73 when I rebuilt it. I put nice Cast on
that identify my car as a Corvette... Did not think they could tell till the hood
was opened... :rolleyes:
I did not think the covers had anything to do with matching #s. I still have my
original ones.
that identify my car as a Corvette... Did not think they could tell till the hood
was opened... :rolleyes:
I did not think the covers had anything to do with matching #s. I still have my
original ones.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: Valve Cover Question (TonyD13658)
This was a very popular change that lots of owners made just after they bought the car. Don't sweat it. If the engine numbers on the block match, then it's no big deal. If you want the car NCRS correct then you'll just have to dig up some stamped steel covers.
Shannon
Shannon
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Re: Valve Cover Question (TonyD13658)
The only people who have those nasty-looking factory valve covers are either NCRS-types or those who don't know any better. :smash:
If you're new to Vettes, there are a LOT of other questions you should be asking. :yesnod:
If you're new to Vettes, there are a LOT of other questions you should be asking. :yesnod:
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 11
From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Valve Cover Question (page62)
The only people who have those nasty-looking factory valve covers are either NCRS-types or those who don't know any better. :smash:
If you're new to Vettes, there are a LOT of other questions you should be asking. :yesnod:
If you're new to Vettes, there are a LOT of other questions you should be asking. :yesnod:
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 11
From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Valve Cover Question (page62)
Ummm...is that chrome air filter cover stock in an L48? :p:
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Airy MD
Re: Valve Cover Question (gq82)
I am new to corvettes and I'm sure that I haven't even begun to ask the questions I need to. I was just wondering since the car I was looking at was close to the end of the 73 run if maybe the factory was caught short. I wasn't sure if 74's had multiple type covers.
TonyD
TonyD
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 11
From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Valve Cover Question (TonyD13658)
I am new to corvettes and I'm sure that I haven't even begun to ask the questions I need to. I was just wondering since the car I was looking at was close to the end of the 73 run if maybe the factory was caught short. I wasn't sure if 74's had multiple type covers.
TonyD
TonyD
If orginality is important to you then check the engine pad for the vin derivative.
1st rule of thumb is always buy the best car you can afford and don't jump at the first car you look at. Take your time look at as many cars as you can to get a feel for whats out there and ask a lot of questions.
Good luck with your search.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Re: Valve Cover Question (gq82)
:iagree: Numbers matching is good, but overall quality should be your FIRST priority! Look for rust in the windshield frame, where the frame terminates near the rear wheels, and where the rear trailing arms bolt to the frame.
Also, the L48 is the base engine for that year. But don't get hung up on which engine it may have. I can't say it enough: Focus on quality! I have a garage full of numbers-matching parts from a car I bought and modified to make it tolerable in the 21st century real world (overdrive transmission among those mods).
In the end, many folks end up with a ZZ4 under the hood and leave the original l48 (or whatever) on a stand for the next buyer!
(Sorry gq82, I should have looked at your sig -- chrome filter covers hadn't yet been eliminated by the GM cost cutters in '71)
Also, the L48 is the base engine for that year. But don't get hung up on which engine it may have. I can't say it enough: Focus on quality! I have a garage full of numbers-matching parts from a car I bought and modified to make it tolerable in the 21st century real world (overdrive transmission among those mods).
In the end, many folks end up with a ZZ4 under the hood and leave the original l48 (or whatever) on a stand for the next buyer!
(Sorry gq82, I should have looked at your sig -- chrome filter covers hadn't yet been eliminated by the GM cost cutters in '71)
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 11
From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Valve Cover Question (page62)
:(Sorry gq82, I should have looked at your sig -- chrome filter covers hadn't yet been eliminated by the GM cost cutters in '71)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Airy MD
Re: Valve Cover Question (gq82)
thanks for all the advice. Being as new to corvettes as I am I'm meeting the owner at Tony's Corvette to have them inspect the car. The money I spend on the inspection will be saved in my ignorance in what to look for. The cars seems to be real nice overall. Original paint, original interior. The current owner even has the flyer that came with the car advertising membership in the NCOA. We'll see how it goes.
Thanks
TonyD
Thanks
TonyD