C2 valve covers

[brumbach]

I'm in search for valve covers for my 65 vette. I'm interested in buying aluminum covers with 7 fins. Paragon offers three different ones with prices varying from $65 to $200 each. Does anyone have experience with the cheaper version? The add states "sold as they come off the OEM tooling w/o any clean-up". Is there something difficult about "cleaning them"? Do they look okay or is their appearance a cheap copy of the original? Don't understand how they can be so much less than the other type offered. Welcome your input! Bill

 

[vettework]

They are proably the castings with flawed O ,having a casting line thru itfrom a crack in the mold and dull unpolished,with flash left from the mold.
Flawed O may be correct for 65? anyway,I think It was for 67.

If they are for a driver,they should be fine as you can clean up the casting flash, polish them a little or like chrome.
I always got used ones and they need polished,even sanded from battery acid a times.
Last ones I got on E_bay for $45.00

Call them and ask,they are great to deal with.

 

[BarryK]

They are proably the castings with flawed O ,having a casting line thru itfrom a crack in the mold and dull unpolished,with flash left from the mold.
Flawed O may be correct for 65? anyway,I think It was for 67.

If they are for a driver,they should be fine as you can clean up the casting flash, polish them a little or like chrome.
I always got used ones and they need polished,even sanded from battery acid a times.
Last ones I got on E_bay for $45.00

Call them and ask,they are great to deal with.

Vettework

I have the original valvecovers on my '65 SB and they look pretty dull. what would you recommend as the best way to polish them up? I don't want them to shine like chrome, but it would be nice to get some of the dullness look out of them.

 

[Muttley]

I'm in search for valve covers for my 65 vette. I'm interested in buying aluminum covers with 7 fins. Paragon offers three different ones with prices varying from $65 to $200 each. Does anyone have experience with the cheaper version? The add states "sold as they come off the OEM tooling w/o any clean-up". Is there something difficult about "cleaning them"? Do they look okay or is their appearance a cheap copy of the original? Don't understand how they can be so much less than the other type offered. Welcome your input! Bill

They're pretty rough--they have the casting flaw, some flash, and a coarse overall surface texture. I ordered a set, and wound up sending them back, so I don't actually know what would be involved in finishing them. I found a pretty decent pair on ebay (with no casting flaw) for $100 and went with them instead.

 

[vettework]

I just use a rubbing compound like 3m micro polishing compound on smooth stuff with a loose cotten 4 " buff on a air die grinder with a air regulator.
I don't want chrome finish just clean even brite aluminum.If I go too far I wet sand with anywhere from 800 for stains to 4500 pexiglas polishing micromesh .
I had a pair of Mickey Tompsen valve covers that had a pebble finish that I sanded smooth and polished to chrome finish,later I cut the tops off and weld a pair of broken corvette finned covers on top for tall covers to clear roller rockers and stud girdle.
Found a set of mt/holley ones just like em

 

[Sams '66]

They are proably the castings with flawed O ,having a casting line thru itfrom a crack in the mold and dull unpolished,with flash left from the mold.
Flawed O may be correct for 65? anyway,I think It was for 67.

If they are for a driver,they should be fine as you can clean up the casting flash, polish them a little or like chrome.
I always got used ones and they need polished,even sanded from battery acid a times.
Last ones I got on E_bay for $45.00

Call them and ask,they are great to deal with.

I am pretty sure that the flaw started in 1966....

 

[ctjackster]

Paragon has both the non-flaw and the casting flaw valve covers. of course, for the 65 you want the non-flaw. You can, however, nab the non-flawed covers off of ebay - they are much more plentiful than the casting flaw version. Just be careful to make sure you get what you want, i.e. bolt holes directly accross from each other, no paint (folks love to "freshen" them up with a coat of silver), and no sand blasting as that rounds off the edges and the detail.

For some reason, my 65 L76 was wearing casting flaw valve covers when I acquired it. I sourced the correct ones on ebay, and sold the flawed ones on eaby, I think I came out a little bit ahead $-wise and the covers I got were in great shape.

 

[Rogs65]

Barry,

I have my orig valve covers for my 65/L79 as well w/ no flaws on the "0" (only 66and 67 had that). My question is this...
Last night I was looking at the inside of my valve covers and found what looks to be a crack line inside...I thought they were cracking apart until I noticed that both valve covers had the exact same cracks (you can only see them from inside) I'm guessing this is a casting flaw as well...do you have those cracks too?
Rog

 

[tigernut]

Casting flaw appearance and cover bolt hole identification has been covered by JohnZ in the following previous thread:

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47108&highlight=casting+flaw

Doug

 

[BarryK]

Barry,

I have my orig valve covers for my 65/L79 as well w/ no flaws on the "0" (only 66and 67 had that). My question is this...
Last night I was looking at the inside of my valve covers and found what looks to be a crack line inside...I thought they were cracking apart until I noticed that both valve covers had the exact same cracks (you can only see them from inside) I'm guessing this is a casting flaw as well...do you have those cracks too?
Rog

Rog

I just went out to look at my covers for you and see no cracks (thank god).
You may want to check the adjustments of your valves. My friend has a '65 with the same 327/350 L79 motor as you and he also noticed some cracking starting to appear on his covers when he got the car. Turns out the way they had the valves adjusted somehow (I don't do motor work so this would be beyond me so I can't explain it better - sorry) they were just barely hitting on the underside of his covers causing them to start to crack. This is the only thing I can think of that may be causing your problem.

 

[maxphunn]

I had a pair of Mickey Tompsen valve covers that had a pebble finish that I sanded smooth and polished to chrome finish,later I cut the tops off and weld a pair of broken corvette finned covers on top for tall covers to clear roller rockers and stud girdle.

Great idea! My '59 has a 350 that I want to make more "period correct". I want to replace the tall chrome covers with Corvette finned covers. Trouble is I think the chrome covers are tall for a reason. I will peek under them this winter. If tall ones are needed I will try your suggestion. Any pics available?

 

[Rogs65]

Thanks for checking Barry...
It's just really strange to have the EXACT inner stress cracks..(and i mean EXACT)
Will just have to treat them with kid gloves..

 

[dennisinmaryland]

Vettework

I have the original valvecovers on my '65 SB and they look pretty dull. what would you recommend as the best way to polish them up? I don't want them to shine like chrome, but it would be nice to get some of the dullness look out of them.

Barry,
I've used a polish called "Simichrome" on aluminum before and you can polish a little or a lot, depending on how shiny you want.

 

[BarryK]

Dennis

never heard of it but i'll look around to see if i can find it

thanks

Barry