1972 BB Valve Cover Bolt Reinforcements

[Rick B.]

After searching everywhere for this I am afraid I've come up empty-handed and could use some direction on this.
On a 1972 big block I know that the valve cover bolts remain unpainted, but are the triangular metal reinforcement tabs in between the valve cover and the bolt left unpainted as well, or are they painted?
I've seen engine photos representing both but am no longer sure what is correct.
Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks !

[Joe L.]

Re: 1972 BB Valve Cover Bolt Reinforcements

After searching everywhere for this I am afraid I've come up empty-handed and could use some direction on this.
On a 1972 big block I know that the valve cover bolts remain unpainted, but are the triangular metal reinforcement tabs in between the valve cover and the bolt left unpainted as well, or are they painted?
I've seen engine photos representing both but am no longer sure what is correct.
Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks !

Rick-----


On a 1972 big block, the only valve cover bolts that were unpainted were the ones on the lower side which also retained the ground terminals for the spark plug wire braided shielding. The remaining bolts were as painted with the engine.

As far as the reinforcements were concerned, all were painted at the time the engine was painted. At St. Louis, the original bolts were removed from the lower edge and the slightly longer bolts installed. For the most part, the unpainted portion of the reinforcements (i.e. the portion that was covered by the original bolts) was also covered by the replacement bolts. So, the reinforcements remain painted.

[Rick B.]

Re: 1972 BB Valve Cover Bolt Reinforcements

Thanks for the reply Joe.
I am a little confused as to what you mean when you say "lower side".
The Tech. Info Manual & Judging Guide says this about the braided wires and ground terminals:

"1972 LS5 engines have individual wires under each of the front two valve cover bolts on the passenger's side. A pair of wires is under the third bolt on the passenger's side and under the second and fourth bolts on the driver's side."

Based on what you've said, these should be the only bolts unpainted and all the reinforcement tabs should have paint on them.

Do I have it right?

Thanks .

Rick

[Joe L.]

Re: 1972 BB Valve Cover Bolt Reinforcements

Thanks for the reply Joe.
I am a little confused as to what you mean when you say "lower side".
The Tech. Info Manual & Judging Guide says this about the braided wires and ground terminals:

"1972 LS5 engines have individual wires under each of the front two valve cover bolts on the passenger's side. A pair of wires is under the third bolt on the passenger's side and under the second and fourth bolts on the driver's side."

Based on what you've said, these should be the only bolts unpainted and all the reinforcement tabs should have paint on them.

Do I have it right?




Thanks .

Rick

Rick----


Yes, by the "lower" side I was referring to the side apparently described as "front" in the JG.