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

[Terry 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?

The finish deduction for show chrome is usually 10%, but that does depend on the judge. Reproductions are show chrome because 90% of the reproduction market is not NCRS people. There may be additional configuration and/or date deductions because not all reproductions are the same configuration.

I believe you will be hard pressed to get a platter to do the "flash chrome" that we prefer, but talk to them before you release the parts to them. Be sure you both are on the same page with respect with what you want. Plating shops usually grind the chrome off the part and in the process polish the part more than we would like. You have to get them to reverse the plating process in order to remove the chrome electrically. Good luck.

[Loren L.]

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

'66 396 325 HP also had chromed covers in Chevelle/El Camino but lack of quality control is obvious - one of mine looks almost NOS and the other wouldn't take much to be bare steel.

[Joe L.]

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?

Bill-----

Flash chrome is chrome over bare steel. Most chrome plating for thing like bumpers, etc. was "triple chrome". This a layer of plated copper, followed by a layer of nickel, followed by chrome.

[Keith B.]

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

ALL 66 SS396 Chevelles and 396 El Camino's got Chrome valve covers. there where two versions. the 325 base got no drippers. while the 396-360 and 375 got drippers. they look the same on the out side. the 65 Z-16 396/375 Chevelle got chrome as well

here is a friends un-restored 65 Z-16

[Ronald L.]

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

The paint on the 65 lids was worse than any of these valve covers and repop or repaint not even close to the secrets the original lids had, as some may know...

[Roy S.]

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

Legend use to be, according to Zora, that he forced the orange vale covers and black air cleaner on the 396 Corvette design staff because he wanted nothing detracting from the size of the engine, even to the point that he claimed he had the Delco batteries changed from yellow caps with black lettering to black caps with yellow lettering so the contrast did not distract your eyes from the size of the engine

Is that true and the actual reason? According to Zora it was. I wish I could remember who else was standing in the group when he told us that story.

[Duke W.]

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

Hmmm... they shoulda painted the aluminum manifold orange, too. Then instead of being known as the "rat motor" it would be Charlie Brown's "Great Pumpkin"

Duke

[Mark E.]

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

Roy's Zora story is similar to Steve Magnante's explanation (original post).

[Jack H.]

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

I was always surprised GM didn't have "Corvette" script aluminum valve covers for big blocks like they did for small blocks.

[Daniel S.]

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

I believe the first installation of chrome valve covers was the '65 Chevelle Z16. In 1966 all big block Chevelle motors got chrome valve covers including the L78 (396/375). I would not think solid or hydraulic lifters had any bearing on this decision...

Dan

[Roy S.]

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

I believe the first installation of chrome valve covers was the '65 L78 Chevelle Z16. In 1966 all big block Chevelle motors got chrome valve covers including the L78 (396/375). I would not think solid or hydraulic lifters had any bearing on this decision...

Dan

Very true Dan that is also support of the Zora claim that he did not want them distracting or diverting attention away from the engine, the big block was already $240 less than the fuel injected engine, I doubt chrome valve covers or air cleaner lid were eliminated for cost reasons.

[Keith B.]

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

I believe the first installation of chrome valve covers was the '65 L78 Chevelle Z16. In 1966 all big block Chevelle motors got chrome valve covers including the L78 (396/375). I would not think solid or hydraulic lifters had any bearing on this decision...

Dan

First the 65 Z-16 was not a RPO code L-78. Second don’t forget about the 65 Impala got a 396 option in March as well and they too got chrome valve covers.

[Carl N.]

[Daniel S.]

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

First the 65 Z-16 was not a RPO code L-78. Second don’t forget about the 65 Impala got a 396 option in March as well and they too got chrome valve covers.

OK fair... got me on the engine code. It is L37. I don't recall when the Z16 came out. The majority of the press sheets for it were specific to showcasing the new 396 but most were not dated. Similarly, I don't know nor really care when the Impala w/ 396 came out either. I was trying to make a point that passenger cars pre-66 were the first to receive chrome valve covers.

Believe L37 was code for ‘65 Chevelle with 396

Correct.

Dan

[Keith B.]

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

I don't know if it had one as it was not available out side the Z-16 package or in any other car or truck.