Why did the big block initially have plain painted valve covers?

[Mark E.]

Why did the big block begin with painted valve covers, then go chrome in '68, then painted again in '71?

I sense the move to painted in '71 was a cost saving move, but don't know definitively.

I recently heard Steve Magnante say during a Barrett Jackson auction that when launched in '65, Chevy thought the orange color accentuated the engine's size better than chrome. I don't really get the premise of that story.

[Gary J.]

[Jim D.]

Re: Why did the big block initially have plain painted valve covers?

I recently heard Steve Magnante say during a Barrett Jackson auction that when launched in '65, Chevy thought the orange color accentuated the engine's size better than chrome.

More made up B.S. He knows very little about Corvettes.

[Bill M.]

Re: Why did the big block initially have plain painted valve covers?

I had a 65 396 and I think the painted covers are way better looking than chrome. chrome looks gaudy.

[Joe L.]

Re: Why did the big block initially have plain painted valve covers?

Why did the big block begin with painted valve covers, then go chrome in '68, then painted again in '71?

I sense the move to painted in '71 was a cost saving move, but don't know definitively.

I recently heard Steve Magnante say during a Barrett Jackson auction that when launched in '65, Chevy thought the orange color accentuated the engine's size better than chrome. I don't really get the premise of that story.

Mark-----

1968 was not the first year for Chrome valve covers on a big block. As far as Corvettes go, 1967 L-89 was the first use of chrome valve covers.

However, the first application for chrome valve covers on a big block was 1966. 1966 Chevelle SS 396 with the L-34 engine option (i.e. 360 HP) were, as far as I know, the first to get chrome valve covers.

All original big block valve covers were a crummy flash chrome---bad enough that painted valve covers might have been a better choice.

By the way, in my opinion, original style big block valve covers were the best looking valve covers ever designed for ANY engine, GM or otherwise. The possible exception was the Ford Boss 429 valve covers.

[Larry E.]

Re: Why did the big block initially have plain painted valve covers?

Mark-----



However, the first application for chrome valve covers on a big block was 1966. 1966 Chevelle SS 396 with the L-34 engine option (i.e. 360 HP) were, as far as I know, the first to get chrome valve covers.

Joe: Did not the 1965 Chevelle Z16 have the 1st B/B Chrome Covers?? Larry



All original big block valve covers were a crummy flash chrome---bad enough that painted valve covers might have been a better choice.

By the way, in my opinion, original style big block valve covers were the best looking valve covers ever designed for ANY engine, GM or otherwise. The possible exception was the Ford Boss 429 valve covers.

[Mark E.]

Re: Why did the big block initially have plain painted valve covers?

Larry,

Love the '66 Chevelle.

Joe,

I didn't know L89 had chrome for '67... Learn something everyday.

It's interesting Chevy opted for chrome for Chevelle but not Corvette for '66. Makes the question "why" even more baffling.

[Duke W.]

Re: Why did the big block initially have plain painted valve covers?

Most likely the reason was cost. You might also ask why big blocks didn't get a nice set of finned cast aluminum valve covers like small blocks, and the answer is likely the same. Up until '67 the old 7-fin tooling was totally amortized, but then they designed a new set to accommodate the rocker box to rocker box PCV system. I do recall seeing some aftermarket cast aluminum covers that were the same basic styling as the classic small block covers... fins and "Corvette" script. The PCV connections detracted somewhat from the appearance, but I thought they looked great.

Sorry, but despite the chrome air cleaner lid, big blocks with painted valve covers say "truck engine" to me. Okay, I've got my flak vest on.

Duke

[Jim D.]

Re: Why did the big block initially have plain painted valve covers?

Sorry, but despite the chrome air cleaner lid, big blocks with painted valve covers say "truck engine" to me. Okay, I've got my flak vest on.

Duke

Damn Duke, my "truck engine" didn't even have the chrome air cleaner lid. What would the horsepower gain be if I added both? Maybe I should go with an anemic small block instead.

[Bill M.]

Re: Why did the big block initially have plain painted valve covers?

Jim nothing better looking than that 396 black air cleaner and orange valve covered engine. yours is a beauty. I hate that all non repo fan belts are now cogged. Ha depending on the small block you may also have painted valve covers.

[Ray K.]

Re: Why did the big block initially have plain painted valve covers?

I have a pair of these early Chevelle L-34 360HP valve covers that I purchased new --- and the flash chrome is actually quite good on the 2 that I have.

Ray

[Bill M.]

Re: Why did the big block initially have plain painted valve covers?

I have been going back and forth with the second owner of a 69 390 one of the things to do would be to re chrome the valve covers . Are they worth getting chromed or just buy a repop set?

[Joe L.]

Re: Why did the big block initially have plain painted valve covers?

Larry,

Love the '66 Chevelle.

Joe,

I didn't know L89 had chrome for '67... Learn something everyday.

It's interesting Chevy opted for chrome for Chevelle but not Corvette for '66. Makes the question "why" even more baffling.

Mark-----


The pictured Chevelle is not a 1966. It's a 1965. The engine is an L-78 but not like the 1965 Corvette L-78 and other L-78's used in later Chevelles. The 1965 Chevelle L-78 was an hydraulic lifter version.

[Joe L.]

Re: Why did the big block initially have plain painted valve covers?

I have been going back and forth with the second owner of a 69 390 one of the things to do would be to re chrome the valve covers . Are they worth getting chromed or just buy a repop set?

Bill------


If they are otherwise in good shape, I'd say they are definitely worth re-chroming. However, if you want factory-original appearance, you'll need to have them flash chromed. This is chrome over bare steel.

[Bill M.]

Re: Why did the big block initially have plain painted valve covers?

thanks Joe I will look up the difference. I guess flash chrome is a less involved process?