What color should the valve covers be on a 1967 427-390?
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Re: Valve covers
Orange but chrome sure looks better. -
Re: Valve covers
Orange for judging, chrome for rest of time.Comment
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Re: Valve covers
What's the story behind changes to the finish of BB valve covers?
First they were painted engine color for '65-'67, then chrome for '68-'70, then back to engine color for '71-'74.
Did market research suggest customers were disappointed with their plain looking yet extra-cost BB, so for the launch of the C3 it was dressed up? And as the inflation plagued '70s progressed, less chrome, no fiber optics, no headlight washers, fixed rear window, and more plastic/ less metal trim was used to offset the costs for emissions and safety?
Or what?Mark Edmondson
Dallas, Texas
Texas Chapter
1970 Coupe, Donnybrooke Green, Light Saddle LS5 M20 A31 C60 G81 N37 N40 UA6 U79
1993 Coupe, 40th Anniversary, 6-speed, PEG 1, FX3, CD, Bronze TopComment
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Re: Valve covers
Mark------
As I mentioned in a response to the original poster for a post of his which he apparently deleted, all 1965-67 Corvette big blocks were originally equipped with painted valve covers EXCEPT 1967 L-89 (all 16 that were built) which used chrome valve covers.
All 1968-70 Corvette big blocks used chrome valve covers. Early 1971 may also have used chrome valve covers. At some point in the 1971 model year Corvette big block valve covers reverted to painted (but with push-in style oil filler).
1967 L-89 was not the first Chevrolet big block to use chrome valve covers, though. All 1966 Chevelle with L-34 engine (360 HP 396) used chrome valve covers.
Why chrome versus painted? I have no idea. The guys that knew are probably dead by now.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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