Valve Covers

[Chevy454]

What do the rest of you BBC guys do for valve covers? I pulled the set off our Nova this morning, and half of the drippers were bent...some just slightly, but others darn near pulled the spot welds loose. I knew they didn't fit worth a piss when I put 'em on, but I've been down this road before with repro covers and before when I got 'em on they did fine. Well, not this set! I'm runnin' the factory valvetrain, with the exception of a set of posi-locks. On our Camaro I tried running a set of repro covers that didn't have drippers and preceded to bust a couple of rockers, and the bolt holes in the 2nd repro set I tried didn't match those in the head and had to be forced on/off, so I put the originals back on...they look like dung, but they fit, and the drippers are correct. No idea where we got this latest set of covers, but I'm half tempted to send 'em back...

So, what does everyone else do here? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[bkhpah]

We use originals only. But most of the time they will need chromed. Once in a while we will find a set of early take offs with the factory flash chrome in good condition. The latter are getting hard to find..BKH

[scuncio]

I have originals on my BB cars, too. The chrome is thin around the flanges but anything's better than bent up drippers!

[Chevy454]

Thanks for the help fellas...I kinda figured that'd be the answer. Just sucks, cause we got a local show next weekend, and they usually expect a little "go" with our "show" cars. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif They don't exactly give those repro covers away, yet they STILL fit like @ss. Oh well, maybe we can rig up a temp fix with the repros, and have a set done right in the meantime.

[Casey Marks]

I got the repops with the drippers for the 'Scayne and they SUCK ! Witha capital S U C K !!

Like you say, they fit like Hell. Once you jee-haw them on there, they look OK, but whatta pain. If I find a set of originals, they are getting minted out and put on. I'll use these repops as bird baths............

[Jeff Murphy]

Has anyone tried the ones sold by Crane Corvette in CA?

[rpoz11]

Try David Crane, call him and explain your experience. He's been doing his for a very long time now, his are seperate from the rest as repop's go. ... http://cranescorvette.com/...
His page is HUGE so give it time to load! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Xplantdad]

The link above doesn't work...try this:
Cranes Corvette (http://www.cranescorvette.com/)

[Schonyenko2]

Have you tried the double thick valve cover gaskets? I think someone out there makes a spacer if you want to run roller rockers, and original covers. I know you don't but that would solve part of your problem. Try Jegs maybe. S.

[Chevy454]

Schonye: I've ran the double thick, double thick with embedded metal, rubber, and the regular old cork, and my favorite is the tried and true standard cork. My thinking is that with all original drivetrain parts the stock covers & gaskets should work as well, but I guess the people that repro these pieces of crap don't care. Knock on wood, I've NEVER had a valvetrain problem that didn't stem from repro covers. BTW: the Crane gold rollers will fit with the thick gaskets and baffles removed...local truck puller tuned me into that.

Anyway, these dippers weren't just "rubbing", a couple were literally almost pried away from the spot weld. Unbelievable we didn't hurt the engine, and someone's probably gonna get a phone call tomorrow...

[Schonyenko2]

Wow that sucks. We'll have to remember that if we ever build a BB and need to use repop covers. You could always throw on some M/Ts. Those Crane roller tipped rockers will fit under stock LT/1 valve covers if you take a bit off the cast in drippers, and use the thick gaskets. I think that's what Marlin uses. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif S.

[Chevy454]

I actually thought these were gonna be golden, as they seemed heavier and better built than the previous repros I've seen...but they're the only ones I've ever had to bang the drippers? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

Good tip on the LT1...we gonna have to do tear downs at SCR8? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[Eddie M.]

I've got a set of Crane Corvette valve covers on my camaro the finish on them is a lot nicer then factory and you can still see the spot welds to,not the look that I wanted but I like them.
Eddie

[JRSully]

What is the various opinions on running a BB with aftermarket (no drippers) valve covers.? I have a mint set of original, cast Motion covers that I want to run on a newly rebuilt (unfired yet) L78. They don't have drippers, am I asking for trouble.? Thanks

Sully

[Chevy454]

Unless you're running true roller rockers, then "yes" you're asking for trouble. Been there, done that, and have a set of busted rockers to show for it...

[copo69]

Rob, were you running the Crane covers or other repo's? I've got a set of Crane's covers waiting to be put on. You can actually buy them (the Crane's) cheaper from Year One than Crane's.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Sorry, no Crane rockers on my LT1 http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif no rubbing on the drippers, and just regular old cork gaskets!

Comps maybe, but no Cranes http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Gotta keep up with Frankies ride http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[Chevy454]

I know they weren't Cranes units, but I have no idea where they came from. Dad just handed 'em to me and I put 'em on...

I'd really like to hear how people with the Crane's installed like 'em, how they fit, quality, etc...

[copo69]

I've had the Crane's sitting in the garage for a few months...never got around to changing them. I have rechromed originals on the car now and they look too slick so I bought the Crane's. They're also too slick, chrome is too nice, spot welds look OK and clip is correct. I just kept looking at them over and over trying to decide if they were worth their cost. I started to send them back but decided to keep them and use them on the Camaro and send the rechromes to the Biscayne. Like I say they're OK and look much better than the other repops but the only way to get them really correct would be NOS or mint used. I've never seen anybody do rechromes that look correct... always come out too slick. Just can't duplicate GM's cheap flash chrome look. Greg

[Pantera]

The cheap Chev originals were somehow not brass plated first or at least they were not polished. Most rechromers do a 3 layer chrome job. The main reason that re-chrome is so smooth is that the brass layer that goes on first is polished to a high and smooth finish before it receives the 2nd layer of nickel and then the actual final chrome layer. The chrome layer is very thin usually.

Chev just did a quickie dip job on them with out doing the high polish layer. Chrome only is as good as the polish and finish that it goes on to.

I would bet that some body that does this kind of work could duplicate the factory shoddy work if you wanted them to.

[Eddie M.]

Rob...As far as fit the cranes were no trouble at all.They do look nice but they are not the factory look is all.

[Supercar_Kid]

Pantera, you're right...the GM originals were "flash chromed" which is just as you described, a single layer of chrome plating right over the bare steel covers.

Nowadays, it's tough to find anyone who'll replicate this process. I've tried lots of industrial plating places and have come up empty. It's been explained to me that the reason it's even more difficult to do today, is because you need a perfect fresh virgin core to get the right effect. If the covers you're having replated have any flaws of any kind, there's really no way to hammer them out and have them come out clean looking with only a single layer of flash chrome. Not to mention any surface contaminants, corrosion, etc. causing problems with the chrome plating adhering to the bare steel.

The "triple plate" process that everyone uses today is done because it's the best way to get good adhesion, as well as a super smooth, highly polished end result, hiding any grind marks, weld lines etc.

Platers also seem to look at me funny when I tell them their usual process turns out "too nice." Go figure...

If anyone finds a place that can successfully flash chrome a set of original covers, I'd love to hear about it.

[Mr70]

I have a Plater over here that seems willing to try flash plating,but as you stated,not on 30+ year old imperfect covers.
Is it possible to get a set of Valve Covers from Crane,or anyother manufacturer today,and get them "Virgin" before they 3 step process plate them?
I would then try to coax my plater to Flash Chrome those.

[ChrisS]

Maybe try www.corvette-paragon.com. (http://www.corvette-paragon.com.) They offer a series of flash-chromed (not sure about this as the samples in the pics from the catalog appear kinda nice) and unpainted steel BB covers, some with drippers.

[427TJ]

Should original BBC chrome valve covers have the spot welds showing through on the outside? The repros look totally smooth, which I like, but my '67 Camaro SS L35 stock (original, I think) chrome covers have the spot weld marks slightly visible. The chrome is totally intact, it's just that the spot welds show up. Which is 'correct,' smooth or spot welds visible?

Another fascinating discussion, by the way. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Supercar_Kid]

The spot welds should be visible on the outside of the covers.

[Paul_S]

I think you answered your own question. Yup, they'll show.

[wingcars6970]

They called those valve covers drippers.As they had the drip rails spot welded from the inside.And made the bumps visible from the outside.Do the repos have those details

[ChrisS]

Pic of a low-mileage, Bow-Tie/Survivor '68 427/435 w/L89. Spot welds on the covers are very obvious here.

[Supercar_Kid]

Here's one on an unrestored, unmolested '69 L-78 Chevelle.

[427TJ]

Thanks for the replies and the photos! Yep, mine look just like that.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[mrrec]

The triple plate process is: copper, nickel, chrome. Copper is used as a filler just as primer is under paint. The factory BB valve covers were flashed copper then chrome. The key is, the bare steel was not buffed before it was copper plated. It is very unlikely the copper was buffed before chroming. Remember, time is money.
The NCRS guys have hashed this over many times and have a pretty good handle on it. Go to NCRS.org and search their "technical discussion" for "flash chrome".

My chrome guy is doing a pair for me now and he understands not to buff the base steel. Once the steel is buffed, it is pretty difficult to go back to the original state.

Dave