Looking to clean up the 455 in my 1969 Toronado. Unfortunately I'm in Canada so my access to parts and examples is limited. These questions probably show my ignorance

Suggestions for a valve cover that will fit from Summit Racing? they ship to Canada but cross checking reviews it looks like some of what they say will fit, may not. I was looking at the Mr. Gasket 9422. Although they ship to Canada, it will be difficult for me to return.

Suggestions for a good gasket?

Any other suggestions on what I can/can't do to clean this up (other than a good wash again!)? I don't have a lot to look at and everyone seems to do things differently. I'm not even sure if the breather is correct (it goes to the air filter, and there's just a breather cap on the other side. I don't think there's a PCV valve anywhere).

There's also a large hole in the manifold, driver's side, about 1 1/2 in. is anything supposed to go/attach there?

Thanks in advance, for anything!


Pass. side

Driver side

 

I think the valve covers are upside down and on the wrong sides. The chrome Chevy breather should be a breather to the air cleaner on the left side. The PCV valve rubber grommet, valve and hose on the right side.

Good luck!!!

 

I think the 1 1/2" hole gets a flexible metal (?) hose that goes to the bottom side of the air cleaner intake . I'm sure that can be easily confirmed.

Steve

 

It is not physically possible to install Olds valve covers "upside down". You can swap them side-for-side, as evidenced by the fact that every 442 on the web has the notches backwards.

 

So...are they on the wrong sides?

 

After a good pressure washing and degreasing, to get a good look some disassembly is required. That means all the accessory mounting brackets need to come off. Dawn detergent and a stiff parts cleaning brush will clean a lot. Use lacquer thinner on a shop towel to clean 50+ years of grunge off engine wiring.

You can get the Toronado Slate Blue engine paint and the detailing decals from Fusick. Black components are a simple semi-gloss paint which is available about anywhere.

Use gloss black on the aircleaner pan, and the brackets if you like.

For some bling, find a pair of 73-74 Oldsmobile script valve covers and have them chromed. That way they're correct and you know they fit under the brackets.

Aircleaner lid is the same as Pontiac and Pontiac offered a chrome lid. Or you can have yours chromed. I've also seen the kids painted a dull aluminum. The "Oldsmobile Toronado" pie pan is available. Dull aluminum works for the transmission case too.

The 1969 factory Chassis Service Manual shows how the PCV and breather are installed, along with other details.

Even though I heard a ration of chin music over the chromed parts, my 69 W-Toro rarely lost more than a few points under OCA engine judging scrutiny.

 

^^^THIS^^^

I don't know if I would have them chromed though. Unless you have Jay Leno's budget you'd probably be unhappy with the chrome put on them. I had the bumpers on my 71 98 re-chromed and they didn't turn out all that good.

Even with a fresh coat of paint those Oldsmobile valve covers would look bad@$$.

 

The valve cover stampings are identical. For 1969 the driver's side should have the breather with the tube that connects to the air cleaner. The passenger side should have the PCV valve. Neither valve cover in these photos appears to have the correct Oldsmobile grommets in any case, and none of the correct factory hardware is there.

 

Thank you all for the quick responses and confirmations. I'll keep an eye out for those valve covers but in the meantime have ordered a set from Summit that hopefully will work, and I can get everything hooked up correctly under there. Cheers!