71 BB vavle covers

[Joe R.]

Re: 71 BB vavle covers

Monte,

I believe this site only notifies you the first time someone replies to a thread that you are subscribed to. If other posts happen after that, no more emails until you catch up on your reading.

Joe

[Monte M.]

Re: 71 BB vavle covers

Joe,
Thank you for the input. After looking at it more, I realize it depends on the order of the post and which leg you click to reply on.

Again, thanks for the input.
Monte

[Monte M.]

Re: 71 BB vavle covers

Terry,

How are you doing today. lol

There was two conversations going on at once in this thread. The 1971 valve covers I sold to the LS-6 owner were painted survivors. On a previous post, in this thread, someone inquired about buying them after I offered to send a different member pictures of them so he could see what they actually looked like.

So, yes, I agree. The 1971 BB valve covers for an LS-6 are painted and have a push in oil filler plug. I sold a set of painted valve covers yesterday.

Monte

[Pancho T.]

Re: 71 BB vavle covers

After looking at this thread I went down to basement and found the set that I took off of my buddies '71 big block roadster back in the late '70s, They are painted and have the push on OIL filler plug as well. Any interest drop me a line

[Byron L.]

Re: 71 BB vavle covers

Monte,
Thanks anyway. This was the first post I've ever put on here. I've been a vette fan forever. My 1971 has 42k miles. The interior is perfect and 100% original as is the top. Every number matches on the car. It just had the wrong valve covers from the first owner ( I'm owner number three).
Byron

[Joe L.]

Re: 71 BB vavle covers

What about 71 LS-6? Weren't they chrome?

Patrick-----


I have never seen a 1971 Corvette LS-6 that had chrome valve covers. I suppose it's possible that if it were a very early 1971 LS-6, it might have had chrome valve covers but, as I say, if there were any, I've never seen one.

[Joe L.]

Re: 71 BB vavle covers

I am not sure where they came from, but back in the day there were over the counter, chrome valve covers with the push in plug. I have a set I got in the late 70's. They even came with a foil GM sticker on them.

I was always under the impression that they were 70 stock covers. Now I know better. I always thought the push in oil plug started in 70, but it has been brought to my attention that I have been wrong all these years. In 1970 the oil filler was still twist from what I just learned.

The chrome covers with drippers and a push in plug are very common and very easy to find. So they came from somewhere. Mine came from over the counter at GM.

LS-6 were painted. I lust sold a set to an LS-6 owner today.

Monte-----


GM never cataloged a chrome, push-in oil filler-type valve cover for 1971 Corvette big blocks or any subsequent year big block. Consequently, I highly doubt that any such covers were ever used in PRODUCTION. I have never seen a SERVICE GM valve cover that was supplied with a foil GM label. I have seen SERVICE valve covers that were supplied painted.

It's possible that chromed, push-in plug valve covers were used for some other 1971+ big block application, although I really doubt it. It's also very possible that such covers were sold over-the-counter only.

[Terry M.]

Re: 71 BB vavle covers

Patrick-----


I have never seen a 1971 Corvette LS-6 that had chrome valve covers. I suppose it's possible that if it were a very early 1971 LS-6, it might have had chrome valve covers but, as I say, if there were any, I've never seen one.

I don't think they made LS-6s early enough in production that they could have had chrome rocker covers, but who knows what it lurking is someone's barn?

[Monte M.]

Re: 71 BB vavle covers

These are flash chrome with a push in oil filler plug. Note the foil GM sticker on the passenger side covers. This picture is very old. Those covers might still be around here somewhere. I will take a look tomorrow. I see these covers all over the place though. Pretty much a dime a dozen. So, they had to be over the counter or came on another application other than Corvette.

[Terry M.]

Re: 71 BB vavle covers

When you find them Monte, post a picture of the oil fill opening without the plug in it. I would bet you can see the notches for the twist in cap. It was, and in some circles still is, common to "dress" the engine as the owner wishes. Even on this board we tell folks: "It is your car. Do what you want with it."

[Monte M.]

Re: 71 BB vavle covers

This one is on e-bay right now. I do not see any tabs cut outs for the twist filler cap.

[Monte M.]

Re: 71 BB vavle covers

The first one is not as clear as it could be. I went on and found quite a few of them. Made me feel a little better.

You guys have taught me a ton. Maybe I can reciprocate every now and then. Many more pictures available if need be.

EDIT: Joe, If you have an interest, one of the pictures has the box with the part number on it if I am not mistaken.

As I went back to look at it, the part number is, 325175. The set sold on e-bay for $385.00

[Monte M.]

Re: 71 BB vavle covers

Joe,

Does the 325175 part number help at all in figuring out what application these valve covers came stock in?

[Joe L.]

Re: 71 BB vavle covers

Joe,

Does the 325175 part number help at all in figuring out what application these valve covers came stock in?

Monte-----


I can't find any record of GM #325175. However, GM #325174 was a SERVICE-only, chrome, right side, big block valve cover applicable to 1968-70 Corvettes. As a SERVICE-only cover, it's possible that it was configured for a push-in oil filler.

[Thomas H.]

Re: 71 BB vavle covers

FWIW, Pics of the original pass side valve cover from my early 71 (s/n 1632) LS5. Flash chrome and not very shiney.

Tom


pass side valve cover2.jpgpass side valve cover3.jpgoil filler cap.jpg