Valve Cover Restoration?

[Jeff A.]

I finally found a set of "no flaw" rocker arm covers for my early 66.
They are in very nice condition, but very dull.

What process can I use to make them look as NOS?
Or, is it better to send them to someone who restores these?

[James W.]

Re: Valve Cover Restoration?

Jeff,

If you want them to look like new, I'd send them to Jerry McNish and have him "re-skin" them. They'll never look better after he's done with them.


Regards,

James West

[Ridge K.]

Re: Valve Cover Restoration?

I agree with James' recommendation for Jerry MacMeish. I have used him multiple times, with superb results.
Here's his website:

http://www.z28camaro.com

Another option for professional help is fellow NCRS member Tom Parsons. I believe Tom advertises in The Driveline, or you could contact him thru a email, as he is registered on the TDB forum.
Tom has also done superb work for me.
I have no business connection with either one, other than being a satisfied customer. Ridge.

[Joe R.]

Re: Valve Cover Restoration?

You might also want to consider John DeGregory. He does a wonderful job of re-finishing aluminum parts and is lightening speed conpared to the others mentioned in the above comments.

John DeGregory advertises in the Driveline and his ads can be found on this NCRS site. Yes, this is the Fuel Injection guy!

JR

[Jeff A.]

Re: Valve Cover Restoration?

Well, I know Jerry personally from my other life with the Camaros.
I will send them to him, as I have never used his services.

I have had an "o flaw" pair on this car for 11 years.
a few more months won't matter.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Valve Cover Restoration?

That raises the age old question of when the flaw showed up. I'm sure I could find a good opinion from some references, but off the top of my head, I thought it was 1965. If that were the case, would you really want to put an unflawed set on a 66 if they all came with the flaw? Why don't you just trade them to me so my 63 looks right? Ha!

Brings to mind a 63 I saw at the Winter Meet; the restorer of the car was there with the owner and he was very adament that the flaw began in late 63 (his were flawed and an obviously poor attempt had been made to remove them). His s/n was earlier than mine and I told him my originals were not flawed, but I blew them off with a crankcase explosion. He also had a later model heat tube in his R.H. exhaust manifold so the hose and choke tube wouldn't cross. He swore up and down that that was correct too. Go Figure.

Stu fox

[Jeff A.]

Re: Valve Cover Restoration?

My build date is Dec 27, 1965 -
I believe I am supposed to have NO flaw?

would be so much easier to use a set with the flaw.

[David D.]

Re: Valve Cover Restoration?

That raises the age old question of when the flaw showed up. I'm sure I could find a good opinion from some references, but off the top of my head, I thought it was 1965.
Stu fox

Stu,
I remember a thread on this and the JG supposedly confirms the external flaw was first observed in March '66, approximately with VIN 17,000.
That said, I think he should swap you covers......
David

[Joel F.]

Re: Valve Cover Restoration?

You might also want to consider John DeGregory. He does a wonderful job of re-finishing aluminum parts and is lightening speed conpared to the others mentioned in the above comments.

John DeGregory advertises in the Driveline and his ads can be found on this NCRS site. Yes, this is the Fuel Injection guy!

JR

Sure he is fast, he told me he just dips them in "Cry Lawn" [sic] paint !

[Ridge K.]

Re: Valve Cover Restoration?

You might also want to consider John DeGregory. He does a wonderful job of re-finishing aluminum parts and is lightening speed conpared to the others mentioned in the above comments.

John DeGregory advertises in the Driveline and his ads can be found on this NCRS site. Yes, this is the Fuel Injection guy!

JR

Joe, that is great news, about the lightning speed.
I wanted JD to restore a Rochester FI unit for me, real bad, a couple of years ago. Told me it would take from one year, to a year and a half.
Must be caught up, and that is great news for this hobby!!!!!!!!!
Ridge

[Joel F.]

Re: Valve Cover Restoration?

Actually Ridge, JD is as busy as ever with the FI work. He has a helper that works on the refinishing aspects while JD does the FI stuff.

[Ridge K.]

Re: Valve Cover Restoration?

Actually Ridge, JD is as busy as ever with the FI work. He has a helper that works on the refinishing aspects while JD does the FI stuff.

Thank you Joel, for the clarification. Guess I'm going to have to learn how to rebuild them myself. All my close buddies are big-block guys, and they keep telling me that there's nothing to working on FI units anyway. They say that they're just a an aluminum box, that squirts fuel.
Thanks again, Ridge.