57 Valve Cover Repair - Sources?

[Ken G.]

One fin on one valve cover has a small piece knocked out of it (I have the piece believe it or not). What is the concensus on where to send it to have it repaired?

I suppose I should also send in the good cover also so that the finish matches?

[Tom P.]

Re: 57 Valve Cover Repair - Sources?

Over the years, I have had multiple alum Vette valve covers repaired.
The key is to find someone who is a wizzard at welding alum! After having a cover welded, I do my own grinding, shaping and finishing. To grind down, shape and finish a welded repair, takes time and patience. I use a die grinder with a small diameter cutting disc, a grinding disc (different grits) and then a 3M buffing pad (they come in 3 different coarses).
Just VERY recently, I acquired this pair which will need welding (I've already taken it to a friend who does excellent, precise alum welding) and then grinding, shaping and finishing. A couple of fins have small nicks and one fin has a chunk missing that will need to be built up. It's not really a difficult thing to do, just takes time.





When finished, these are going on the 1966 2.02 heads on my 56.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 57 Valve Cover Repair - Sources?

Ok Tom, I'll bite. How do you mount staggered screw valve covers on 66 heads?

I can greatly appreciate the effort you put in to fix up a set of vintage Corvette aluminum valve covers. I did a number of sets back in the day and I know the amount of tedious detail work involved. I don't think I have that many days ahead of me or the patience to do another set.

Stu Fox

[Tom P.]

Re: 57 Valve Cover Repair - Sources?

Ok Tom, I'll bite. How do you mount staggered screw valve covers on 66 heads?

Stu Fox

Easy! You first find someone that can weld cast iron.
My machine shop can plasma spray weld cast iron. So, I had additional bosses welded, then drilled and tapped for a staggered bolt pattern.
And, while I was at it, I VERY carefully and precisely ground off the double humps and then shaped a pyramid symbol on the ends of the heads to resemble 539 heads. After shaping the pyramid, I heavily sand blasted the the area where the humps were ground off to simulate the cast appearance. So, now I have a healthy SB400 that sorta resembles a 57 FI 283!

[Stuart F.]

Re: 57 Valve Cover Repair - Sources?

Amazing Tom! Simple Amazing! You and I would have had a blast competing against each other back in the day. I made it through the whole season of 61 undetected (so to speak), then got tossed on the second to last Sunday night event. It was a really bad day. I had already dropped a driveshaft at over 100 mph when some smart snively kid with money wanted to see what I had. Well, I couldn't get past my dual quad intake as some of those grind marks I thought I had removed by sand blasting reappeared and they decided head and manifold ports were never that clean and well matched from the factory, nor did they have grind marks. Oh well. I knew I had to tow it home already so what the heck. I'd had my fun for the year and was sitting on a couple records for B/S and Stock eliminator which they let me keep. Guess they knew, as did I, that everyone was cheatin at least some - plus, they were my friends and had to put on a show for respectability.

Thanks for showing the photos. I really enjoyed them.

Stu Fox

[Steven B.]

Re: 57 Valve Cover Repair - Sources?

'And I thought when I swapped cams and advanced it and changed diff. gears I was sneaky. (And put on Greenwoood Koni's, Guldstrand Springs---) Man, you guys do it right!

[Steven B.]

Re: 57 Valve Cover Repair - Sources?

Ken, try Jerry Mcneish at www.z28camaro.com. A number of NCRS members have used him for different services and have been satisfied.

Steve

[Ken G.]

Re: 57 Valve Cover Repair - Sources?

thanks Steve, I will call him Monday

Ken