Chrome BB Valve Covers

[Loren L.]

I have a set of chromed BB valve covers that came on my '66 El Camino - right angle bend in the middle of the cover to grip 2 plug wires going to the front and vertical "stacks" at the rear to carry a clip for all four wires. All that I come in contact with says that these are correct.
I also have a pair of chromed covers that are idnetical but WITHOUT the vertical "stacks" at the rear - what is the application for these?

[William O.]

Re: Chrome BB Valve Covers

can you post both pictures so they can be identified.

Thanks,

[William O.]

Re: Chrome BB Valve Covers

Question:

What is the appearance of the VC on the underside of both?

[Geoff C.]

My guess would be 66 el camino *NM*

[William O.]

Re: My guess would be 66 el camino

Let's see.....maybe this would include:

Camaro, Nova,Impala and maybe a truck or too.

[William O.]

Re: My guess would be 66 el camino

....Not too many CHROME valve covers before 68' unless you had L89/

[Geoff C.]

Re: My guess would be 66 el camino

your may be forgetting the le mans el camino

[William O.]

Re: My guess would be 66 el camino

LeMans was Pontiac... Maybe the Biscayne....

[Joe L.]

Re: Chrome BB Valve Covers

Loren-----

There were a "jillion" different configurations for big block valve covers over the 65-75 period of their use in cars. Many of the configuration differences involve only small differences in attached bracketry.

As far as chrome covers go, very few were used during the 1965 model year. Z-16 Chevelle MAY be an exception. For 1966 they were used on Chevelles/El Caminos with L-34 and L-78 engines. I believe they were also used on passenger cars with L-72 and/or SS package.

1967 continued about the same as 1966. However, the chrome covers were, of course, also used on those few 1967 Corvettes built with L-89.

For 1968-70, the use of chrome big block valve covers "exploded". All Corvettes and most other applications except some base big block engines used them.

After 1970, the use of chrome big block valve covers was VERY limited.

As far as the wire stands go, as far as I know, all passenger car, Corvette, and Chevelle/El Camino used the rear stands. All of these were identical or very similar in configuration and location of attachment. Camaros used them, too. However, for Camaros the attachment point of the rear wire stands was about an inch forward of the location for other applications.

Considering that the wire stands were used for passenger cars, Chevelles/El Camino, Corvettes, and Camaros, that doesn't leave much for units without the wire stands. I don't recall if any Mark IV's were ever installed in Chevy II, so that might be a possibility if they were.

Of course, there are always light truck applications to consider. However, I don't think that any of those used chrome covers.

[Loren L.]

Re: Chrome BB Valve Covers

Both sets have drippers.