Need Advice on Chrome Valve Covers
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Southeast WI
Need Advice on Chrome Valve Covers
My big project this year is to clean and dress the engine. I'd like to add chrome valve covers. I've looked in the Summit Racing catalog and didn't see anything I liked. I'm looking for something kinda old school. I don't want any company logo on it. Something high quality, not cheesy looking. Do you folks have any suggestions?
This is for a BB 427/390 engine.
Thanks!
This is for a BB 427/390 engine.
Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
you can often find these on ebay for even less.
http://www.noahperformance.com/product12.html
If you want drippers you will have to pay more. Keep an eye on those part #s. Other vendors use the same #s.
http://www.noahperformance.com/product12.html
If you want drippers you will have to pay more. Keep an eye on those part #s. Other vendors use the same #s.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Southeast WI
Thanks for the link.
Pardon my ignorance, but what is meant by "drippers" and why would I want that? I assume that it has something to do with the way the oil drips off the inside roof of the valve cover. Yes?
Pardon my ignorance, but what is meant by "drippers" and why would I want that? I assume that it has something to do with the way the oil drips off the inside roof of the valve cover. Yes?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
yes, the stock bigblock valve covers have these little thingies 
(tabs?) welded inside the covers. They make sure that oil drips directly onto the..... ummmmm oh boy... now I am in a bind... what does the oil drip onto? rockers? lifters? ... anyway, I am not sure how important these drippers actually are. I have a nice set of el-cheapo chrome valve covers myself and the main reason I have not installed them is I am not sure if I should be concerned about the lack of drippers.
(tabs?) welded inside the covers. They make sure that oil drips directly onto the..... ummmmm oh boy... now I am in a bind... what does the oil drip onto? rockers? lifters? ... anyway, I am not sure how important these drippers actually are. I have a nice set of el-cheapo chrome valve covers myself and the main reason I have not installed them is I am not sure if I should be concerned about the lack of drippers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
I bought a set of cheapie repros to use while I was having my originals rechromed.. They look great BUT they DID NOT fit ... Bolt holes were way off plus too close to the wall of the valve cover so the re-inforcements would fit.. Guess why they only cost $40 ? Don't go there.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Florida
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I have changed valve covers three or four times. Finally, ended up with some nice chrome ones with the word "Chevrolet" on them. They were very inexpensive.
Regrets! I cannot remember where they came from, but must be fairly common since they did not cost much. I will try to post a pic shortly.
EDIT: You can see them here:
Regrets! I cannot remember where they came from, but must be fairly common since they did not cost much. I will try to post a pic shortly.
EDIT: You can see them here:
Last edited by OHSIXX; Jan 20, 2005 at 08:43 PM.
Pro
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From: Dacula GA
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Race Director
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the drip tabs ensure that oil drips onto the rocker pivot ball, they are essential when you are running pivot ball style (stock stamped) rockers. Without adequate oiling the ***** will turn blue, gall and you will have an ugly mess on your hand. As for the covers, avoid the el cheapo things, maybe gm performance parts is your best bet, theya ren't the cheapest out there but I think their stuff is still usa made and actually fits (never had stuff from them not fit)..then again, maybe that's all chinese junk also by now (anyone know???)
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Southeast WI
Thanks, Twin Turbo.
I found these in the Mid America catalog. Let me know what think about these:
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=4.3496
Appreciate your help.
I found these in the Mid America catalog. Let me know what think about these:
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=4.3496
Appreciate your help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Take a look at some of the stuff from Billet Specialties. I think I'm going to go with one of their ribbed valve covers to match my air cleaner.
http://www.billetspecialties.com/pro...cid=15&scid=95
http://www.billetspecialties.com/pro...cid=15&scid=95
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
Originally Posted by Tele_Man
To drip, or not to drip? That is the question! 
Can anyone offer suggestions on this subject?
Can anyone offer suggestions on this subject?
Look at it this way, only the Corvette (that I know of) had the little dripper things on the valve covers. If you think about it, most small block Chevys had those simple, yet effective stamped steelies. At normal engine operation the oil will just pour out of the pushrod onto the rocker. At higher speeds the oil squirts up and over the rocker, hits the valve cover runs down the side and down into the head. So the drippers are mainly for sustained high rpm stuff IMHO. Not necessary, but not a bad idea either.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Southeast WI
Ok, your drip explanation seems plausible.
I've also noticed that the various vendors offer standard height and "tall" valve covers. Is this purely for asthetics, or is there any technical reason for choosing one type versus another?
I've also noticed that the various vendors offer standard height and "tall" valve covers. Is this purely for asthetics, or is there any technical reason for choosing one type versus another?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 581
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From: Southeast WI
Roller rockers? That's a new term for me.
Can I assume that my engine does not have roller rockers if the current valve covers are low profile?
What's the benefit of these roller rocker thingys?
Can I assume that my engine does not have roller rockers if the current valve covers are low profile?
What's the benefit of these roller rocker thingys?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Chrome w/drippers...
THe only 427/454's with drippers were the solid lifter engines because the oil supply to the lifter galleys was restricted in those engines and less oil got to the upper end through the pushrods. The hydraulic lifter equipped engines deliver tons of oil and don't require drippers in stock form. The Covers without drippers are 'flashed chromed' and made in Taiwan, thus are inexpensive. I have a set on my '69 400/427, and had no trouble with fit.
If you find a set of Mickey Thompsons ("M/T's"), they work great with stock valve train, fit on Power brake cars and have drippers cast in. They come plain aluminum or black wrinkle finish. I have a set that I cleaned up, painted Orange and polished off the raised ribs and 'M/T' logo that look very sharp.
Hans
If you find a set of Mickey Thompsons ("M/T's"), they work great with stock valve train, fit on Power brake cars and have drippers cast in. They come plain aluminum or black wrinkle finish. I have a set that I cleaned up, painted Orange and polished off the raised ribs and 'M/T' logo that look very sharp.
Hans
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Originally Posted by Tele_Man
Roller rockers? That's a new term for me.
Can I assume that my engine does not have roller rockers if the current valve covers are low profile?
What's the benefit of these roller rocker thingys?
Can I assume that my engine does not have roller rockers if the current valve covers are low profile?
What's the benefit of these roller rocker thingys?
Hans