Valve Cover Score - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**geunther** · 03-22-2016, 12:27 PM

A buddy is downsizing and threw these scripted covers my way. One has a dent that I can fix, other two in good shape.

**FirstOwner69** · 03-22-2016, 01:08 PM

Those appear to be for a pre-emissions 283. Are the bolt holes straight across from each other or staggered? If I remember correctly from my Corvette life, the staggered hole covers were used until sometime in 1959.

68Gold/white · 03-22-2016, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

Those appear to be for a pre-emissions 283. Are the bolt holes straight across from each other or staggered? If I remember correctly from my Corvette life, the staggered hole covers were used until sometime in 1959.

I read a long time ago the change was mid 61, who knows...

**FirstOwner69** · 03-22-2016, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

I read a long time ago the change was mid 61, who knows...

I have a NCRS 1958-1962 Judging Manual that says specifically, but I won't have access to it for a couple weeks. I'll try to remember to post back here when I can check.

**geunther** · 03-22-2016, 02:54 PM

Blues are staggered, other's holes are inline.

GRX · 03-22-2016, 02:57 PM

Nice score. 1959 was last year for staggered I believe.

68Gold/white · 03-22-2016, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRX

Nice score. 1959 was last year for staggered I believe.

It's been so long since I read what year, and the source could of been wrong, and in a magazine how often does that happen?

**geunther** · 03-22-2016, 03:35 PM

Asked my buddy. Evidently from a 57 vette.

mike16 · 03-22-2016, 09:48 PM

everything is from a 57 vette

**71swb4x4** · 03-22-2016, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike16

everything is from a 57 vette

Apparently the factory built 100 times more 1957 Corvette parts than needed for actual production.

**geunther** · 03-22-2016, 11:19 PM

Well perhaps I mis-spoke. My buddy had the block and intake with the valve covers. Both date coded for 57. The block was bad but a guy bought the intake, apparently for a corvette that he was restoring. The covers certainly could have been original to another model.

**FirstOwner69** · 03-23-2016, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geunther

Well perhaps I mis-spoke. My buddy had the block and intake with the valve covers. Both date coded for 57. The block was bad but a guy bought the intake, apparently for a corvette that he was restoring. The covers certainly could have been original to another model.

The staggered hole covers would definitely have been correct for a 57 Vette or other 283s of the years we've discussed... maybe even the earlier 265s. The non-staggered are correct for later 283s without emissions. Too bad they aren't like the 7 fin covers pictured below on my 58 or the earlier 9 fin staggered hole aluminum covers. The 9 fins are worth big bucks.

That said, you made a good score. The staggered hole steel covers especially also bring a pretty good dollar.

frank69 · 03-23-2016, 01:57 AM

I bought a set of those finned valve covers new from the dealer in 1962, 11 dollars each.

toolboxchev · 03-23-2016, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frank69

I bought a set of those finned valve covers new from the dealer in 1962, 11 dollars each.

I would take em at your advertised price!

**special-K** · 03-23-2016, 06:51 AM

Factor in inflation. Figure what a Vette cost in '62 and what a new one costs. Subtract the old from the new. Take the balance to figure what percentage the price has gone up since '62. Now that you have a percentage, figure that percent added to $11 x 2. But... you can walk into the dealer and get valve covers for your new Vette today and you have to pay a middle man for the early ones, so either double that scientific number or toss it out the window and pay whatever the seller says they want!

The script valve covers are of value to restorers, or they make great wall hangers

jjzepplin · 03-23-2016, 07:56 AM

Now to find that set of staggered heads to match the covers

**geunther** · 03-23-2016, 09:36 AM

One of the coolest uses I've seen is on a truck over on the square body forums. Also one of the nicest build I've seen.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...386569&page=28

snipescastle2 · 03-23-2016, 12:06 PM

Yeah,I have a friend that has a set of those 283 specific "Corvette" cast valve covers, 283 for sure(staggered) I thought those were only on the "Fuely" engines? Never seen a stamped steel valve cover with staggered bolt holes.
Fuel injected 1957 Chevy Bel Air perhaps?
Ben

**FirstOwner69** · 03-23-2016, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snipescastle2

Yeah,I have a friend that has a set of those 283 specific "Corvette" cast valve covers, 283 for sure(staggered) I thought those were only on the "Fuely" engines? Never seen a stamped steel valve cover with staggered bolt holes.
Fuel injected 1957 Chevy Bel Air perhaps?
Ben

The finned aluminum Corvette script valve covers (at least from 56-62) were on all optional Vette engines. The stamped steel Chevrolet script covers were on base engines only. Not sure of what was used on the other cars, but they would not have had the Corvette script aluminum covers.

Here's a pic of a staggered hole steel cover I have. Great for adjusting the valves!

snipescastle2 · 03-23-2016, 01:09 PM

That's a cool idea for adjusting "Hydraulic" lifters, at least you wouldn't have the oil mess, not to mention fire hazard!! Thanks for the tip!
Ben

03-22-2016, 12:27 PM	#1
geunther Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cheyenne, WY Posts: 740	Valve Cover Score A buddy is downsizing and threw these scripted covers my way. One has a dent that I can fix, other two in good shape. Attached Images

03-22-2016, 01:08 PM	#2
FirstOwner69 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin & Arizona Posts: 4,853	Re: Valve Cover Score Those appear to be for a pre-emissions 283. Are the bolt holes straight across from each other or staggered? If I remember correctly from my Corvette life, the staggered hole covers were used until sometime in 1959.

03-22-2016, 02:54 PM	#5
geunther Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cheyenne, WY Posts: 740	Re: Valve Cover Score Blues are staggered, other's holes are inline.

03-22-2016, 02:57 PM	#6
GRX Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MD Posts: 1,937	Re: Valve Cover Score Nice score. 1959 was last year for staggered I believe. __________________ 1969 c-10 Step Side Long Bed. I-6 250cid = = 1969 Pontiac GTO hard top. 400, 4-speed.

03-22-2016, 03:35 PM	#8
geunther Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cheyenne, WY Posts: 740	Re: Valve Cover Score Asked my buddy. Evidently from a 57 vette.

03-22-2016, 09:48 PM	#9
mike16 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: bisbee, arizona Posts: 1,530	Re: Valve Cover Score everything is from a 57 vette

03-22-2016, 11:19 PM	#11
geunther Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cheyenne, WY Posts: 740	Re: Valve Cover Score Well perhaps I mis-spoke. My buddy had the block and intake with the valve covers. Both date coded for 57. The block was bad but a guy bought the intake, apparently for a corvette that he was restoring. The covers certainly could have been original to another model.

03-23-2016, 01:57 AM	#13
frank69 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Laughlin,Nv Posts: 141	Re: Valve Cover Score I bought a set of those finned valve covers new from the dealer in 1962, 11 dollars each.

03-23-2016, 06:51 AM	#15
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Valve Cover Score Factor in inflation. Figure what a Vette cost in '62 and what a new one costs. Subtract the old from the new. Take the balance to figure what percentage the price has gone up since '62. Now that you have a percentage, figure that percent added to $11 x 2. But... you can walk into the dealer and get valve covers for your new Vette today and you have to pay a middle man for the early ones, so either double that scientific number or toss it out the window and pay whatever the seller says they want! The script valve covers are of value to restorers, or they make great wall hangers __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-23-2016, 07:56 AM	#16
jjzepplin Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ruskin Florida Posts: 4,569	Re: Valve Cover Score Now to find that set of staggered heads to match the covers __________________ 70 swb 4x4 406sbc 700r4 203/205 d60/14blt locker yadda yadda http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...88#post6935688 Yeller 72 Blazer 2wd conversion project "No Daggum Money" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=550804 LS1-T56 3.73 LSD super budget build Blanco-2014 Sierra SWB https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=810350

03-23-2016, 09:36 AM	#17
geunther Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cheyenne, WY Posts: 740	Re: Valve Cover Score One of the coolest uses I've seen is on a truck over on the square body forums. Also one of the nicest build I've seen. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...386569&page=28 Attached Images

03-23-2016, 12:06 PM	#18
snipescastle2 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: WARRENSBURG,MISSOURI,64093 Posts: 1,518	Re: Valve Cover Score Yeah,I have a friend that has a set of those 283 specific "Corvette" cast valve covers, 283 for sure(staggered) I thought those were only on the "Fuely" engines? Never seen a stamped steel valve cover with staggered bolt holes. Fuel injected 1957 Chevy Bel Air perhaps? Ben __________________ "Persistence is the twin sister of Excellence.one is a matter of quality,the other, a matter of time" “Serious Black” my 1971 Short Bed Fleetside Sold to an outstanding man in Lees Summit,Mo. “Gone, but by no means,Forgotten”

03-23-2016, 01:09 PM	#20
snipescastle2 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: WARRENSBURG,MISSOURI,64093 Posts: 1,518	Re: Valve Cover Score That's a cool idea for adjusting "Hydraulic" lifters, at least you wouldn't have the oil mess, not to mention fire hazard!! Thanks for the tip! Ben __________________ "Persistence is the twin sister of Excellence.one is a matter of quality,the other, a matter of time" “Serious Black” my 1971 Short Bed Fleetside Sold to an outstanding man in Lees Summit,Mo. “Gone, but by no means,Forgotten”

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