C3 - Correct Valve Covers for 71 270hp

[Ralph A.]

Can someone tell me if the pressed metal valve covers are correect for a late 71 with 350/270hp. What I can find they were painted on the engine and are orange. Just want to check.
Thanks
Ralph

[Dino L.]

Re: C3 - Correct Valve Covers for 71 270hp

My original late 71 270 hp car was stamped steel with orange paint

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 - Correct Valve Covers for 71 270hp

Dino and Ralph------

Yes, that's what all 1971 270 hp were originally fitted with---stamped steel valve covers which were originally painted with the entire engine assembly.

If you're in need of a set, go to a self-service type wrecking yard and look for any 1971 model with small block V-8 engine. 1969-70 or 72 will usually work, too, but small facets of configuration may be different for other years.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 - Correct Valve Covers for 71 270hp

Correct 1971 covers will have flat metal clips on the inside of the driver's side cover to retain the TCS wiring as it goes to the solenoid on the L front of the carb.

Patrick

[Edward McComas]

Re: C3 - Correct Valve Covers for 71 270hp

Don't forget about the push in oil plug, used on 71 and 72 covers, in place of the twist in oil cap.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 - Correct Valve Covers for 71 270hp

...with the narrow width to the "OIL" letters, as opposed to the wider lettered plugs available OTC in any auto parts store in the USA.

Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 - Correct Valve Covers for 71 270hp

Patrick-----

These rubber push-in oil plugs were a sad day in the annals of Chevrolet and Corvette engines. Thankfully, their use on small blocks was limited to 71-72. Their use on Corvette big blocks extended from 1971 through 1974. I like to forget that they ever existed. Truly, a completely bogus way for GM to save a few cents per engine.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 - Correct Valve Covers for 71 270hp

Joe,

My car has the aluminum LT-1 style covers with the turn-in cap anyway.
My originals are on a shelf under the "someday" category...as in "someday when I like leaky valve covers I'll reinstall them"

Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 - Correct Valve Covers for 71 270hp

Patrick-----

The push-in style covers were used for LT-1s, too, for the 71-72 model years. In fact, in 1972, or so, when I cracked the 70-style twist-lock aluminum valve cover I had purchased for my 69 300 hp right after I got the car, I had to purchase one of these push-in style aluminum covers. At that time, they had replaced the twist-lock style for all SERVICE requirements. I "lived" with that miserable thing for many years, even though in about 1973, the twist-lock style cap replaced the push-in for evermore. I never sold it, though, since I don't sell parts. It remains as an historical, but despised, artifact in my collection.