Collecting Valve covers [Archive]

tokyo

10-15-2003, 09:36 AM

Hey, i want to start to collect valve covers, i am making a list of those that i want to find. I want to make sure there aren't any cool ones i have forgot.
on my list is
hemi's
nailheads,
olds rocket
blue flame six
packard clippers
y block
poly's
early cadillacs
super red ram hemi
348-409

can you help think of others, pictures would help me out. thanks, tok

Bigcheese327

10-15-2003, 09:46 AM

Corvette cast aluminum and stamped steel Chevrolet script. Edsel. "Powered by Mercury" and early Lincoln Y-block or MEL.

Dago Red

10-15-2003, 09:47 AM

Jimmy sixes had a pretty cool-lookin GMC logo on em.

I've got one from a 216 six if you want it. I think the earlier valve covers are much more interesting than the ones on later 235s.

shoebox72

10-15-2003, 09:54 AM

Don't forget the straight 8 Buick valve cover. If you plug the holes you can flip it over and use it as a wall paper soaking troft. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Billy

porknbeaner

10-15-2003, 09:58 AM

Thunderbird (FE), early FE 427 (complete with stickers), Ford Boss 429 (I'll admit its a later model, but they sure look cool).
Oh and who can forget the covers of a set of Ardun heads (complete with heads of course.)

Fat Hack

10-15-2003, 10:02 AM

The AMC six-banger ones that say "5 Bearing" on 'em!!!

Don't forget all the cool AFTERMARKET ones, too!!!!

tokyo

10-15-2003, 10:05 AM

thanks guys...i know the aftermarket ones are gay.. i am trying to put together a collection of cool ones..billy i forgot about the fireball 8. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
what is the difference between 7 and 9 ribbed corvette valve covers, is one late model repop/one original or what?

Oilcan Harry

10-15-2003, 10:10 AM

The SOHC 427 Ford valve covers are way kool but finding some a guy could aford would be a real challenge.

48_HEMI

10-15-2003, 11:46 AM

The early Vettes had staggered mounting holes. early cads are cool script.
dodge red ram is a Hemi.
early olds with the wire looms aae way cool. and you don't have to have a small block chev, they actully fit the olds too! double cool?
Ardens would put you over the top
and please don't forget the mighty Crosley http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bugman

10-15-2003, 11:54 AM

"Flathead Look" sbc
"Hemi Look" sbc
"Carbon Fiber Look" scb
"Billet Look" cast sbc
"Olds Rocket Look" sbc
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

DrJ

10-15-2003, 12:01 PM

Are you going to HORDE THEM like an old GEEZER and leave them wasting away in a barn till you're pushing up daisys and your grand children who are only in it for the MONEY can't see any value in them so they leave them in the barn when the bulldozer comes to level the farm for the new town house tract?
Or are you just collecting them so they don't get crushed today, as a valve cover conservator, and will sell or give them to a needing hotrodder, or even, heaven forbid, a restorer, who could actualy put them to good use now?

Deyomatic

10-15-2003, 12:16 PM

If you are just looking for one side, you should try ebay. For one reason or another, someone always seems to be selling only one Valve Cover or exhaust manifold. If you are looking for a pair, there are usually an assortment of cool Y block valve covers on ebay also.

Fat Hack

10-15-2003, 01:55 PM

I noticed that about e-bay too, Deyo...it's like a giant dryer when it comes to valve covers and exhaust manifolds...kinda like finding that odd sock every week in the laundry!!

tokyo

10-15-2003, 02:33 PM

WEll doc...not giving this much thought...i wanted to collect them..not to horde them, because i think it is better to be hanging on my wall for a use or not, than crushed or thrown away..It is something that i think is cool..hopefully when and if i ever have a garage, i will have them there as supply for a hotrodder lookin for em, and i could help em out.

36-3window

10-15-2003, 03:10 PM

the chevy script valve covers are neat,i'm using them on my next project.

DrJ

10-15-2003, 04:10 PM

[ QUOTE ]
WEll doc...not giving this much thought...i wanted to collect them..not to horde them, because i think it is better to be hanging on my wall for a use or not, than crushed or thrown away..It is something that i think is cool..hopefully when and if i ever have a garage, i will have them there as supply for a hotrodder lookin for em, and i could help em out.

[/ QUOTE ]

That sounds like a good plan then...
Happy hunting and don't forget to score the hold down hardware if it's not just bolts and washers, and keep them with the covers.
That little stuff is sometimes scarcer and more valuable than the caps themselves.

55olds88

10-15-2003, 04:22 PM

How about the Aussie Hemi 6cyl one.....
And I think the Ford 6's have that powered by Ford stamped in em that always looks impressive.
I love those early Chev script one, can't se why anyone would rather use Rocket ones on their SBC, if I had a SBC it would wear those.

fab32

10-15-2003, 05:00 PM

Now you tell me, this would have been so much easier than collecting the engines that they bolt to. Seriously though I think a valve cover collection would make a nice wall display. In my case I have a v860, an 85hp flathead, a variety of small and big block Chevys, a J2 Olds, a 270 Dodge Hemi, a 354 Hemi, I'm dealing with Kustombuilder on a nailhead, and a friend of mine has a Cadillac Eldorado (dual quad) I'm trying to talk him out of. My goal is to have these displayed along the wall of my shop (eat your heart out Bill Smith) and be able to fire them up. These aren't the only ones I want, but you have to start somewhere.

Frank

FeO2

10-15-2003, 07:36 PM

Toke,Don't forget the flat head ford valve covers.They're VERY rare! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

choprods

10-15-2003, 07:40 PM

I collect them too Tokyo- I have some extra /odd ones for trading purposes so get hold of me with your duplicates guys- I only want one of each type-not interested in pairs-I even have a Viper valve cover.[non trad huh? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif]

MichaelDorman

10-15-2003, 07:43 PM

Lincoln Mk finned cast aluminum valve covers with the star in the middle.

drgnwgn289

10-15-2003, 07:56 PM

Stude V-8 covers are cool, the first series look better, but the second ones are cool too.

**DONOTDELETE**

10-15-2003, 08:14 PM

Hey Tokyo, I've got some cast factory Corvette finned covers that I'll part with. I'll try to get some pics on here for you within the next few.......

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Flatheads Forever!!

visor

10-15-2003, 08:20 PM

Don't forget the pontiacs... straight 8
and the 55 thru 57 v8 had nice script.
Early lincoln overheads are very cool.
---------------------------------------------------------
"OPOSSUM BENDERS"
Central Missouri Chapter

10-15-2003, 10:31 PM

Tokyo....You can get most of those in te couple junkyards around here. As soon as the weeds die off a little more we'll have a junkyard run.
Clark

Fat Hack

10-15-2003, 10:54 PM

For you guys who run small block Chevys in your Fords...

<img src=http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid84/pd2bb45bcee8780c5163d2a0a80d963c6/fad05ea6.jpg>

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bigcheese327

10-15-2003, 10:56 PM

[ QUOTE ]
In my case I have a v860, an 85hp flathead, a variety of small and big block Chevys, a J2 Olds, a 270 Dodge Hemi, a 354 Hemi, I'm dealing with Kustombuilder on a nailhead, and a friend of mine has a Cadillac Eldorado (dual quad) I'm trying to talk him out of.

[/ QUOTE ]

*drool* Hows about a shop tour, Fab? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bigcheese327

10-15-2003, 10:58 PM

Oh, and another thought to go along with DrJ's conservator ideas- don't take them off complete engines and expose the heads to the weather! I've seen lots of old W-motors and FEs left that way for no good reason!

Mojo

10-15-2003, 11:08 PM

The early chevy 327 valve covers (with those "V" dips) are my personal favorites... They're different, and cool looking.

Tony

10-15-2003, 11:15 PM

Toke,
I dig the idea of valve cover wall art..
i don't have many 'cause i never collected them for that purpose, but i have 3 set's of 348/409's hanging on my wall in the garage!!
plus a bunch of sbc's (vette's,chev script etc) in the shed.

I did see a killer set of pontiacs in a yard up here..
they had "Strato Streak" embossed on a plate attatched to the top of 'em...
I was gonna go get them, but i think i waited to long. I have a feeling the car got crushed! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif..

Rat...

59BuickWagon

10-16-2003, 01:05 AM

[ QUOTE ]

what is the difference between 7 and 9 ribbed corvette valve covers, is one late model repop/one original or what?

[/ QUOTE ]

The 9 fin are early and expensive - there was a pair at Hershey for $325

Dennis

36-3window

10-16-2003, 02:19 AM

[ QUOTE ]
For you guys who run small block Chevys in your Fords...

<img src=http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid84/pd2bb45bcee8780c5163d2a0a80d963c6/fad05ea6.jpg>

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

i like that! if i send them to you can you do that for real to them?

Fat Hack

10-16-2003, 08:24 AM

Sure, just hand me a Sharpie!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bugman

10-16-2003, 09:05 AM

I always wanted to take some stamped SBC covers and graft in the Ford oval, or the "powered by Ford" just to mess with people at car shows. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

tokyo

10-16-2003, 09:06 AM

thanks for the clarity and info...it will take me time to collect them all, but i didn't want to keep living life not looking out for them. Clark...no surprise..we will go on a "run". I want to know what do the early stude v8's look like, they embossed? Also the 327 covers, i have never seen them with dips, got a pic? I think that i am gonna be looking for pairs when i do, except for the sixes. Thanks.

tokyo

10-16-2003, 09:09 AM

regarding the flatheads, i have a pair of the center dumps sitting somewhere, i need to get the 32 style, and i have the late ones of course, but i will add them to my collection as well. bugman...your such a mess!! say how's your hemi...!!!!!!!

lulabelle

10-16-2003, 10:04 AM

Let me know when you want to come to my local spot.We might find something.

tokyo

10-16-2003, 10:07 AM

will do lully...

sawzall

10-16-2003, 11:45 AM

tok

I'm in for a ride to lulabell's place, then we can head to my pops place and hit a few spots up there..

later

sawzall

10-16-2003, 12:03 PM

Can I go too?? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Clark

lulabelle

10-16-2003, 01:58 PM

You are all welcome to come over.However,Clark has to pay me $5000 to enter.And you all have to wear blindfolds on the way! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

tokyo

10-16-2003, 02:51 PM

can we make clark have to wear a pink skirt too!!! ahahahahahaha

bdrake

10-16-2003, 03:55 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I always wanted to take some stamped SBC covers and graft in the Ford oval, or the "powered by Ford" just to mess with people at car shows. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I a 47 Ford with a big block Chevy in it that I paiinted Ford engine blue. I put on some CalCustom valve covers that had been milled to accept blue oval Ford embelms. Some people got it, sometimes ticked off both Ford and Chevy people and a few asked what size Ford was it.

http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~bill/Images/Hamb/v_cover.jpg
only pic I could find