what can I do with the valve covers on my 87,they are a mess.Would like to get them plated but I don't know if they can be plated because of the metal they are made of?
Thanks Jim

 

Pull them off and have them powder coated in your choice of color

 

I had mine powder coated. If you go this route, make sure you tell them they are made out of magnesium. My powder coater told me they use molten salt to remove the paint and magnesium will catch fire in the salt (they had a Ducati motorcycle case catch fire so they are very wary of this).

One big thing to look at is who your powder coater is. The one I went to was a couple of blocks away so it was convenient. The problem was that they are a "production" facility and don't really do custom jobs. If you can, find a place that does one-off jobs. Another thing to watch for is the color. If you want a custom color they have to order a minimum quantity (like 50 pounds). You have to pay for the whole amount because they have no use for the left over powder and they don't want it. In my case I had to wait several weeks for them to do a production run with the color (silver) that I wanted.

The castings are horrible. I thought the pits were in the paint, but they turned out to be in the metal. I advise filing, sanding or whatever you wish to clean up the casting flash before having them powder coated or painted. I don't know if there's a way to fill the pits. I just had mine coated with no massaging, pits and all.

I have seen "valve cover paint" from the usual Corvette vendors. You might want to go that route. I think there was a thread on doing that on the forum.

 

Sorry, there are several posts on repainting, powder coating, polishing original covers. They are a lot of work stripping so be ready to send them out or spending a few hours on them.

Good luck!

 

Heed the magnesium warning.

 

I heard dat! This is one cover and an hours work. Needs probably another hour and that is just one cover.

 

aren't chromed valve covers only like a hundred bucks or so new?

Corvette Central Chrome Valve covers

 

I bought these off the big auction site, dont remember the seller tho for $80 plus shipping. Put "center bolt valve covers" in there and find the ones that suit ya.

 

I bought these too, had some powder coating done, I think they look good

 

You obviously have too much time on your hands , Ray
Something to do while you are waiting for the big thaw in Europe?

 

That's it Rod! Lucky I've got one of those big *** jet engine type heaters for my garage. It's freakin' cold here!

 

When are we going to see the photos of your engine rebuild, Ray ????

 

Here is a How To write-up from Joe C

 

I'll try to get some pic next week, Pete. I haven't really done anything in months though. Got the rotating assembly done and that's about it.

 

Thanks for all the great tips .
Jim