396 Valve Covers Chrome or always Orange Pnt

[Jay G.]

At the risk of me so dumb dept.
On 65 396 cars (Corvette)
Are the valve covers in the 13.5K VIN range onward always to be Orange Pnt types.
Or early production cars may have had a chrome type valve covers as well?
N.Adams book shows early prototype 396's (pre-march 65) w/ chrome.
Could or Did production ones slip thru that way as well?

[Joe L.]

Re: 396 Valve Covers Chrome or always Orange Pnt

At the risk of me so dumb dept.
On 65 396 cars (Corvette)
Are the valve covers in the 13.5K VIN range onward always to be Orange Pnt types.
Or early production cars may have had a chrome type valve covers as well?
N.Adams book shows early prototype 396's (pre-march 65) w/ chrome.
Could or Did production ones slip thru that way as well?

Jay------


All PRODUCTION 1965 L-78 had valve covers painted with the engine. The first Corvette big blocks to use chromed valve covers were the 1967 L-89's, all 16 of them. For 1968-70 all Corvette big blocks had chrome valve covers.

So, what was the first PRODUCTION big block to use chrome valve covers? I believe it was 1966 Chevelle SS396 with L-34 engine (360 hp).

[Jay G.]

Re: 396 Valve Covers Chrome or always Orange Pnt

Jay------


All PRODUCTION 1965 L-78 had valve covers painted with the engine. The first Corvette big blocks to use chromed valve covers were the 1967 L-89's, all 16 of them. For 1968-70 all Corvette big blocks had chrome valve covers.

So, what was the first PRODUCTION big block to use chrome valve covers? I believe it was 1966 Chevelle SS396 with L-34 engine (360 hp).

Thanks Joe,
Trying to remember the Z-16 1965 Chevelles (201 of em.)
Did the yellow Z-16 that Dan Blocker (actor) have chrome valve covers? Id I recall he may have had one of the early promotion L-78's

[Clem Z.]

Re: 396 Valve Covers Chrome or always Orange Pnt

Jay------


All PRODUCTION 1965 L-78 had valve covers painted with the engine. The first Corvette big blocks to use chromed valve covers were the 1967 L-89's, all 16 of them. For 1968-70 all Corvette big blocks had chrome valve covers.

So, what was the first PRODUCTION big block to use chrome valve covers? I believe it was 1966 Chevelle SS396 with L-34 engine (360 hp).

i never saw a 396 chevelle with painted covers BUT i never saw a Z-16

[Pancho T.]

Re: 396 Valve Covers Chrome or always Orange Pnt

I agree with others here that only L89 in '67 had chrome valve covers.I am not an expert by any means on the Z16 Chevelle but here is one that I took a few pictures that was getting judged at this years Hershey AACA event.It has chrome valve covers on it

http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z432/provette/Hershey2010013.jpg

http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z432/provette/Hershey2010024.jpg

http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z432/provette/Hershey2010021.jpg

http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z432/provette/Hershey2010022.jpg

[Steven S.]

Re: 396 Valve Covers Chrome or always Orange Pnt

The Z16 had chrome covers as most have suggested.

[Tom P.]

Re: 396 Valve Covers Chrome or always Orange Pnt

Every Z16 that I've seen at Chevellabration (the past 11yrs), INCLUDING, UNrestored Z16s, have had chrome valve covers.

[Carl N.]

Re: 396 Valve Covers Chrome or always Orange Pnt

I agree with Tom,

Over past 30 + years I'v seen 5 Z16's which appear to be correct cars all of which have chrome valve covers.

All the new 1965 396/425 Corvettes at stealerships in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma I visited in 1965 had Orange to best of my memory - long long time ago though -

Carl

[Clem Z.]

Re: 396 Valve Covers Chrome or always Orange Pnt

both my new 65 and 66 BB corvette had painted covers

[Edward S.]

Re: 396 Valve Covers Chrome or always Orange Pnt

My 396 Corvette has always had painted covers, as well as all the 396's I have ever seen at NCRS meets,

[Keith B.]

Re: 396 Valve Covers Chrome or always Orange Pnt

All Chevelle 396/454 had chrome valve covers

[Jay G.]

Re: 396 Valve Covers Chrome or always Orange Pnt

My 396 Corvette has always had painted covers, as well as all the 396's I have ever seen at NCRS meets,

Thanks all.
In Joe's L. read was really correct.
I thru in the wrinkle of Z-16's as techinally a production car.
But Not a one the avg. public aware of em.
All the Chevelles I've owned had chrome covers.
Kinda like the L-89 67's chrome covers 16 of em. But again not all general public aware of em.
Never saw a Z-16 'cept the TV ones Mag ones.
Really couldn't remmeber the covers. The 65 Vette 396 has "number of upgrades" But a good driver.

[Chris H.]

Re: 396 Valve Covers Chrome or always Orange Pnt

To add a wrinkle, there's a photo of a pilot 396 Corvette with chrome valve covers, in Noland Adams book.

[Jack H.]

Re: 396 Valve Covers Chrome or always Orange Pnt

Yes, and it's equipped with a number of other construction differences that never saw assy line production, like the radiator expansion tank being mounted to the thermostat cover at the front of the engine vs. located on the RH inner fender...

[Michael G.]

Re: 396 Valve Covers Chrome or always Orange Pnt

Joe, not that it matters for this discussion, but, the 1966 SS396 Chevelles with 325hp and 375hp also had chrome valve covers. I had a new 325 and had to remove those chrome covers many times after I put the solid lifter cam in.