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Hi, as a little side project to keep myself busy during the winter when it's too cold in the garage, I've begun to collect and restore different valve covers to keep as wall hangers. This past week I found and bought this very clean pair of Rocket covers off evilbay. Just doing a little Googling, it looks like they're off a '54-'56 324 (no ribs on the ends). Just curious what the proper colors are and if there would be something close that'd be readily available from Duplicolor or the like that a guy could get at the local parts stores? Also wondering if there was any different versions/colors for the 2 barrel VS 4 barrel, etc. Thanks for your time!
These would be real since the Chevy knockoffs are 49 and 50 style and have the spark plug wire looms in them. These should be green with yellow lettering. Fusick has the correct color in spray cans and has the correct decals. The originals did not have decals but were painted with a roller.
Now I see that pictures that appeared while I was typing.
These would be real since the Chevy knockoffs are 49 and 50 style and have the spark plug wire looms in them. These should be green with yellow lettering. Fusick has the correct color in spray cans and has the correct decals. The originals did not have decals but were painted with a roller.
Now I see that pictures that appeared while I was typing.
Glenn, is there a color that you know of (or anyone else) that's a close match to the original green that would be available from Duplicolor or something like that? I've got all the main auto parts stores here in Missoula where I live and they don't need to be "perfect", but if there isn't anything even close I'll get the paint from Fusick. Thanks!
Is John Deere green really that close? Thought Koda was just kidding ....like I said, don't need to be perfect, but I'd like them close. I'll be clear coating them as they're just going to be display pieces and most of the covers I'm doing will be "over-restored".
Will do, might be a few months but I will update. These are my most recent purchase but they're in the best shape so they'll be one of the next pairs I get done.... Too busy enjoying the perfect 75 degree weather here and driving the cars before things get nasty in a month or two
Buddy of mine is into them and sent that to me as a gift. Super cool engine. Debating on painting it Pontiac blue and just polishing the high spots or polishing the whole thing.
The yellow can be found at most auto paint stores in the One Shot lettering line 130-l primrose yellow. It is a very close match. The green I had a color match and I don't have the formula anymore but it would be worth it to sources from Fusick. As stated the last two pictures are closest but sometimes computers don't give good duplation of colors....Tedd 1955 Old's valve covers
The coolest valve cover of all time for me would be off a Ford Mustang Boss 429. A buddy of mine has a 69 and it is one neat engine to look at!
I agree. And the original Chrysler Hemi "Firepower" covers are cool. I also love the 348/409s and scored that set in the pic for $70, probably the cheapest pair in existence when I got them.
Oh, and I'm always looking for other sets or singles. The more obscure or different the better. I'd like an earlier set of Rockets with the plug wire covers if anyone has an extra or two
The earlier Rocket ones were used in 1949 and 1950. They will be a little hard to find and probably a little pricey.
Yes, there's a couple on ebay, which is where I've gotten a lot of my sets. But, yeah, they want $165 shipped each without the plug wire covers, which is way beyond my budget for this little hobby/distraction. The 324 Olds pair I posted here I bought for $70 shipped, which similar sets restored are going for $300 or so. Some of the aftermarket finned jobs that are things like Holman Moody, real vintage Edelbrock sets for obscure engines, etc. can be in the thousands of dollars. What guys are willing to pay is interesting and kind of nuts, I'm finding out. Probably should've gotten into collecting air fresheners or something like that
No question it has neve been restored and you can barely tell what color the engine is. Here are a couple pictures of my engine and the valve covers were painted with the correct engine paint from Fusick.
Even though numerous sources claim to have "the" Oldsmobile Green formula, mid-80s a Rocket Engine Plant retiree revealed it came in 55 gallon drums labeled "Industrial Machinery Green".
Oliver or Deutz tractor green is much closer than JD. Tractor Supply probably has that.
....like I said, don't need to be perfect, but I'd like them close. I'll be clear coating them as they're just going to be display pieces and most of the covers I'm doing will be "over-restored".
