Hot Rods M/T valve covers seem kinda cool again.

The early ones are cool, but the later sbc have the breather holes located over rocker arms. If you run a pcv valve the engine WILL burn about a quart to every 50 miles. I plan on running the early covers on my model a since the pcv will go to the rear of the block.

 

You realize the new ones come with baffles or you can make them to fix this?

 

The ones I had bad experiences with had only a plate to act as a baffle. The plate is common to all of the aftermarket covers I've had, m/t just put the pcv in a bad spot. I try to use the lt1 z28/corvette covers on all of my engines because the baffles in the original covers are hard to beat.

 

There were 3 different style baffles MT/Holley used in covers. There were 2 different width rectangular with lips on the edges and a flat round one. The rectangular with the larger lips work best. I think I still have NOS baffles around here somewhere......

 

Dug some old stuff out to show the differences. What you're looking at are original replacement parts for the SBC and BBC covers (241-217, rear) and everything else (241-216, front). However, throughout production the main differences (regardless of application) was the width of the baffle and the lip height. I've had the best luck with oil control by using the narrow baffle with the taller lips (241-216). Though it's narrower it seems to shroud the PCV better than the wider one with a shorter lip.
BTW, the main difference fit-wise is the Chevy cover baffles had slightly narrower mounting screw centers than the others. You can use non-Chevy baffles if you take a rat tail file to the slots.

 

Going to restore these Chevy covers for my dragster.

 

While I agree with Blue One (I always preferred the finned Z-28 covers), I had to buy
these special "350 LT-1" covers. They were $25.00 for the pair. Like most everyone
else, he just wanted them gone.

 

I've restored and customized a bunch of those over the years! So many in fact ...

.... that Indeed, Inc. (an employee headhunter) thinks he works at my shop LOL!!!!

 

I can't think of a time when M/T valve covers weren't cool.

 

My MT valve covers in action in the back seat of my 65 Corvair

 

Like to see the Corvair it's in. I'm in love with my Mr. Gaskets

 

Those are sweet!

 

Anyone ever see a set of big block chevys like these ?
I've seen all finned without knockouts, but never seen knockouts without the M/T, Mickey Thompson cast underneath with a # 3376397

 

I have a pair for a Pontiac that need a new home...

 

Yep! I had a set for a 402 big block.... Sold those along with the motor....

 

Where do you think they fit in the timeline, pre M/T ???

 

I just restored these old beasties for a BB Mopar a few months back, along with the Weiand six pack EFI intake. My customer had the bungs welded in. They needed a lot of clean up; I had to dig the ribs out to get the definition back. He's happy so I am too.

 

Were M/T valve covers ever made in USA? I just had my vintage set off and they say "Made in Japan" on the inside.
An updated picture of mine with a different carb and manifold. I had to bore the manifold for a filler tube so I didn't have to knock out a breather hole in my M/Ts.


Gary

 

You all are sick. I have some BBC ones. Black wrinkle. LOL

 

have a pair left over from my 62 Pontiac Bonneville Wagon.. upgrade to 400Ci with a turbo 400 when
I had it...

 

I’m sticking with my original assessment.
M/T valve covers were never cool.

 

About 10 million hot rodders bought uncool valve covers then, obviously wanting to be dorks.. They are perhaps a victim of their own popularity.

I recently put a set on my work truck, not because they are cool or not. I wanted better sealing than the '80s stamped steel stockers it had, and the M/Ts were 20 bucks at the swap meet. The polish was long gone, wasn't about to buff, so they got the orange rattle can. Now the wing nuts, those might be uncool..

 

Nothing wrong with those wing nuts, but being OCD, I would rotate them so they follow the length of the valve cover. Besides that, they make vc removal lots easier.

 

M/T valve covers are classic hot rod parts. They were designed from the dictum of 'form follows function'. I remember reading of Mickey Thompson's exploits as a young man and being impressed by his take no prisoners style of purpose built machines that were pushed to the limit. Over the years I've owned my share his company's valve covers for one simple reason: When I lived in SoCal I could go to the Fairgrounds Swap Meet with a flashlight early enough and find 'em for a saw buck, and for the same price at the Veteran's Stadium Swap Meet. The reason I looked for them was 'they work'. Also, now, they are a memorial to one the pioneers of our sport. You can't beat that.

 

I would sure like one for a Straight Eight Buick.

Ben

 

Still on mine
wing nuts were loose as the new gasket was settling in

 

Just think of all the goodies we'd have to chose from now had him and his wife not been murdered? And, I have several sets of M/T valve covers for the SBC. They are a right of passage for any hot rodder/racer.
I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

They aren't Cal Custom cool, but definitely cool.