big block valve covers

[Jeremy Hedges]

Is there a good supplier for original steel 427. 1967 valve covers?

[Joe L.]

Re: big block valve covers

Jeremy-----

Depends what you want. If you want MOSTLY original configuration, high quality, and a great price, go with the foreign reproductions. Many suppliers, including Dr. Rebuild, Noah Performance, and others, carry these. You can get the plain steel (to be painted) with drippers or without. The general configuration of these covers is VERY similar to the originals. Nuances of configuration like exact bracket configuration/location and various clips which may have been present are different. They're also unlike the originals in that the tooling used to make them is FAR better than GM ever used. Consequently, there are few die marks and "wrinkles", common in GM originals.

If you want exact original configuration, there is only one manufacturer (other than NOS originals, of course). That manufacturer is Cranes Corvette of San Diego, CA. Cranes manufactures all of the original configurations used on Corvettes from 1965 through 1974. These are not inexpensive, though. They run about $400+ per set. You can get them from Dr. Rebuild, Paragon, or directly from Crane. Crane's direct price is about the same as through the other dealers, though.

[Tony C.]

Re: big block valve covers

Hi
I saw a set on ebay 1966-67 427 valve covers
Tony
Item number: 4569237691 $225.00

[Ken K.]

Re: big block valve covers (Plug wire brackets?)

While we are on the subject of valve covers, I have a question. This is for a '66 427/425hp. I know that both valve covers have a piece of metal welded on the middle of them to hold the spark plug wires. (Two wires.) My question is, should both valve covers have a metal piece at the rear of them that will hold all four spark plugs wires per side? Or should only the right side have this configuration? (The left side would have no bracket at the rear? What's correct? Is it different for different years? Thanks

[Michael H.]

Re: big block valve covers (Plug wire brackets?)

Ken,

66 big block left side valve covers did not have a welded on rear spark plug wire support. A left side support was part of engine dress at the St Louis plant and it was bolted on using one of the intake manifold bolts.

The right side valve cover did have the spot welded rear support so no additional bracket was required, unless the car was radio equipped. In that case, an additional bracket was added to the right side.

I believe the left side spot welded bracket appeared at SOP of the 67 model year.

Michael

[Peter M.]

Re: big block valve covers (Plug wire brackets?)

Michael H
I have original 66 L72 and am not familiar with your comment "left side support was part of engine dress at the St Louis plant and it was bolted on using one of the intake manifold bolts." I looked up A.I.M. UPC L72 Sheet B2 page F375 showing wire loom comfiguration for left and right - no such support bolted to manifold bolt. Can you point me to evidedence that shows this configuration ?

[Michael H.]

Re: big block valve covers (Plug wire brackets?)

Very next page Peter. Sheet B3 in the L72 section, item #15, 3869721 support. This would be part of the engine accessory, or "engine dress" operation at the St Louis plant. The same sheet clearly shows no additional support for the right side because the valve cover already had the spot welded bracket attached.

A radio equipped car would have had the additional bracket attached to the right rear manifold bolt.

[Peter M.]

Re: big block valve covers (Plug wire brackets?)

OK Michael - I have this bracket - it is covered up by the chrome radio shielding and sits seperate from the valve cover. Thanks for the clarification.

[Rob A.]

Re: big block valve covers

Original, corvette big block valve covers had the two plug wire support that is welded to the right valve cover more towards the oil cap opening, than the covers that were for other chevrolet big blocks, which have the support more in line with the hole for the breather tube. You'll come across the incorrect ones while looking, so be careful not to accept them as original, corvette big block covers. They will fit and work, but are not correct.