What brand valve covers float your boat?

my '66 330 is in for some new valve covers and I wanted to get your guys' opinions on which one you like most/had best experiences with.

thanks guys

 

I went with cheap chinese ebay chrome valve covers . They where 3/8 ths taller and the look good. I have also had the old m/t covers but those are now on my dads car.

 

Stock OEM's. Easy to clean up and they stand the test of time. I have a spare set with the OLDSMOBILE stamping if you're interested.

 

Fabricated aluminum...but then again my head is in a different place than most

 

That would be considered engine dress up and is just as subjective as what wheels and tires to put on! Run what you like.

 

I previously had Edelbrock chrome ones. IMO they look better than plain chrome but that is JMO and they matched my intake. I know have polished M/T's. I really like them but aren't available new any more. You'd have to find good used and/or have them polished.

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stock is hard to beat but i like the cast aluminum best for looks... the bad thing about chrome is that it holds heat in... does look nice tho.

 

If you find a set of aluminum that need to be polished do a search on ROP for Badd Andy. He did mine and they came out great and his rates are reasonable.

 

He's on here as 'valvecoverred'...

 

I might add, anything you buy, make sure you can run baffles at the PCV and Vent locations.

 

I used TransDapt valve covers, they are good heavy construction and have the holes for PCV and Breather in the stock locations.

 

Stock OEM's for the win. IMO Oldsmobile stamping's look sharp.

Sand, paint and run em'.

 

thanks for all your guys input.. now i just have to decide!

As to your offer Allan R, Ill pm you.. i sure do love the OEM with OLDSMOBILE stamped on it

 

I like the old school Offy's but they are pricey.

 

Yes, they are nice but also more pricey than the GM performance aluminum ones with the Oldsmobile logo which I am looking at to replace my Edelbrocks with. They are 4" tall though and I would have to go to a 9" brake booster at the same time. It would not have to run the 3/8" aluminum spacer with 2 gaskets to clear my roller rocker locks. Problem is, I wouldn't want to cut or use the knockouts to run my pcv and vent. Still working on that one. Not to hijack, but does anyone have any suggestions?

 

Get the taller valve covers, and go with the 9" brake booster or get rid of power brakes all together. I did and I'm so in love with how much room I have and the way my car drives now...adjusting valves is a snap, well, when the rockers aren't broken that is

 

I would install a set of GM performance valve covers. They are a little heavy, but are awesome. I also recommend changing your car to manual brakes as Steve mentioned. The power brake booster takes to much room.

 

I went with Edlerbrock chrome but they scratch easy and the baffles was close to the top and my pcv valve would not go down all the way,maybe it was because it was the short ones,check pcv for fitment

 

Actually I found the Edelbrock signature series rust less than the cheap chrome ones. I really like the Offenhauser's but $300 is too much. I have Edelbrock aluminum, just like the MT's above. I polished and clear coated them, look good. They are rarer than the MT's and cost a bit more.

 

I really like the polished M/T's or Offy's...but going with the stamped covers..more in my price range!
Tom

 

While we're on this subject, who know's where to get a good set of fabricated valve covers?

 

Tom442
Where did you find the Olds stamp covers? And how much?

 

I bought these off eBay a couple of weeks ago. They are clean and shiny.

 

Yeah I saw those, I was watching that item too.
How do you like them?

 

They look like the $35.00 valve covers with a nice sticker on them (I like a little bling), which pushes the price up to $55.00. I haven't installed them as of yet.


Clean Your Valve Covers - A Sad Story

I had a little problem with my original Olds valve covers. I had them sanded and painted and no one thought to clean them up afterwards. The hot engine oil took the residual sand that was under the baffles and deposited it through-out the inside of my freshly painted engine. It died! I then had another engine totally rebuilt and installed the same valve covers. D'oh! It died too!

I might consider installing my original Olds valve covers in the future, after I am convinced that there is not a single grain of sand left under the baffles.

These innocent looking, pretty, orange/red valve covers have been convicted in the deceitful killing of one engine and stand accused in the brutal slaying of a previous one.

F.Y.I.

 

 

I like stock covers in good condition,but usually talk myself into cheap chrome covers.
I hate spending $200 on parts that make absolutely zero horsepower.

 

Found them in the junkyard a few years back. Blasted them and had them powder coated...I haven't seen another set since then...If you see em you better grab em!
Tom
68 442 convt
70 F85

 

Stay away from edelbrock chrome valve covers. They have poor quality plating and will start rusting on the outer edge area. I wish I had spent a little more for a better set of valve covers.

 

Austin, package is on it's way.

 

Nice! Those are the older stye.

 

Not any more he's not.

 

I really like the Oldsmobile script valve covers. They are getting hard to find. They are heavy, and they do have some fitment challenges.
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I have two sets of aluminum covers for sale. Both sets are highly polished. One set of M/T's & one set of Holleys. PM me if anyone is interested.
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BTR sells a very nice set of fabbed covers-
http://highperformanceolds.com/phpbb...hp?f=28&t=2772

 

man thats a sad story those VCs have some bad mojo

 

cheap chinese ones under my hood... its a cover, not that important.

atleast thats my opinion

 

Jaybird, sorry to hear or your losses. So that's why you needed that new 455. I guess the good part is you know it has clean VC's It's a sad fact that most folks will only clean the outside and not really pay attention to the inside.