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Valve Coves
So, another stupid question: I bought a 327/300 '66. I LOVE the finned aluminium Corvette valve covers that did not come on my car from the factory. Since I am not interested in competition, what do people think of changing out the originals (if the bolt pattern works) with the aluminium ones? I would keep the painted ones, of course, but I just happen to like the look of the others.
Is this a totally bonehead move or considered OK as long as I know the difference and keep the factory ones cleaned up and stored away? Cheers, Richard |
people have been doing that for 60 years. if you like them its only 4 bolts per side
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If you like the, change them. One tip, don't overtighten. They will crack, unlike steel. They will also be harder to keep clean, but no big deal. I like them also, and they are on my 350 hp. I recently bead blasted and painted them with Alumablast.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...205b9c5b7c.jpg |
As Nowhere Man said, I've been running them on non-original applications (and polishing them) for 55 years. It's your car, run what you like.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...56652a4ae8.jpg |
Total Bonehead move. Not allowed. The VCPD (Valve Cover Police Department) will find you and they will punish you. ;)
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Note that the less expensive replicas of these valve covers are for the earlier engines with staggered bolt holes. Don't get the wrong ones.
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It was the very first mod I did to my '63 back in 1969 to address leaking valve cover gaskets. Picked them up at my favorite Chevrolet Dealer (he gave me a discount :thumbs:) for $11 a piece. Probably should have bought a few sets... :willy:
Good luck... GUSTO |
And for the record car show logic is once installed on ANY SBC it instilly becomes a Corvette engine. |
Originally Posted by GTOguy
(Post 1598506084)
Total Bonehead move. Not allowed. The VCPD (Valve Cover Police Department) will find you and they will punish you. ;)
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Originally Posted by GUSTO14
(Post 1598506309)
It was the very first mod I did to my '63 back in 1969 to address leaking valve cover gaskets. Picked them up at my favorite Chevrolet Dealer (he gave me a discount :thumbs:) for $11 a piece. Probably should have bought a few sets... :willy:
Good luck... GUSTO Cheers, Richard |
Originally Posted by Nowhere Man
(Post 1598506310)
And for the record car show logic is once installed on ANY SBC it instilly becomes a Corvette engine. Cheers, Richard |
Originally Posted by kellsdad
(Post 1598506294)
Note that the less expensive replicas of these valve covers are for the earlier engines with staggered bolt holes. Don't get the wrong ones.
Cheers, Richard |
Originally Posted by Mike67nv
(Post 1598506041)
As Nowhere Man said, I've been running them on non-original applications (and polishing them) for 55 years. It's your car, run what you like.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...56652a4ae8.jpg |
Originally Posted by 65GGvert
(Post 1598505618)
If you like the, change them. One tip, don't overtighten. They will crack, unlike steel. They will also be harder to keep clean, but no big deal. I like them also, and they are on my 350 hp. I recently bead blasted and painted them with Alumablast.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...205b9c5b7c.jpg Cheers, Richard |
You can you can also buy the GM licensed PML version. Perfect for those with taller valve trains. I put the polished ones on my ‘61. They’re also nice as they will mill holes in the side for a pcv or breather by request. You can see my pcv valve in the picture below. https://www.yourcovers.com/valve_covers_11026.php https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...f3b2276f2.jpeg |
Paragon Corvette bought the tooling years ago from the original GM manufacture "Lester" for those valve covers. they are every where for sale, most of them are over the counter GM ones that was sold by the dealers well into the 80's and maybe 90's they are very common item. expect for the 63-early 66 ones without the casting flaw. as the original tooling got a "crack" or seem in the covers that run though the "O".
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I am thinking it is a BONEHEAD move.
I am adding the L79 aluminum intake and the valve covers to R66 (300hp 327 base). But, I can't find decals that say 350hp clone. Of course if you add chrome big block valve covers, you instantly have a 66 with a rare 435 hp 427 - one of a kind. Might take a lot of work to make them fit. Then again, I like the 69 aluminum covers used on Corvettes, Camaros, Novas, etc. Does that mean I can't show it as a C2 Corvette? It's your car, do what pleases you. Ron |
To be technically correct, since your car is a '66, you should be looking for a set of un-flawed covers. Any quality set of new reproduction valve covers or used originals is going to run close to $400. You may find a used set for less, but they will probably not be as nice. This company sells both the flawed covers and un-flawed covers. The un-flawed are about double the cost, but are probably worth it. I spent hours on the last set of 'new' covers I bought with the flaw trying to remove it with little luck. I finally gave up and bought a set of PML's. Appearance wise they look nearly identical to original, but they are heavier (more substantial) and a bit taller. I like them a lot. https://www.moderngenauto.com/C2-Cor...iABEgI6YPD_BwE This company sells the PML covers (you can also buy direct from PML). The PML's are offered in a variety of finishes, from raw aluminum to powder coated an even polished. They are not cheap, but are high quality. https://www.ebay.com/i/282903303547?...f46798fffc2143 Good Luck... GUSTO |
Originally Posted by richopp
(Post 1598508170)
Thanks--that was going to be my next question--where do you find them? I guess swap meets and so forth are a good place to start. Not the most important thing in the world, but thinking about what I want to do to the car, that was one of those things I was hoping would be kind of easy to do. What valve cover gaskets do 327 engines seem to like best, if any?
Cheers, Richard |
Originally Posted by R66
(Post 1598508607)
I am thinking it is a BONEHEAD move.
I am adding the L79 aluminum intake and the valve covers to R66 (300hp 327 base). But, I can't find decals that say 350hp clone. Of course if you add chrome big block valve covers, you instantly have a 66 with a rare 435 hp 427 - one of a kind. Might take a lot of work to make them fit. Then again, I like the 69 aluminum covers used on Corvettes, Camaros, Novas, etc. Does that mean I can't show it as a C2 Corvette? It's your car, do what pleases you. Ron The finned script valve covers can be dressed up to restore (clone) the "one of one" mythical and ultra rare factory 63-67 425hp small block with a stinger hood ;) . https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...928e14987a.jpg We only live once. Make it, Own it, Live it. |
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