L79 Valve Cover Retainers

[Tom R.]

Did the L79 chrome valve covers use a retainer as commonly used for base motor valve covers? And if so, was it chromed plated or did the factory simply recycle the engine painted retainer from the slave valve covers? I'm assuming this was same for all years 65-68. Thanks.

[Jim T.]

Re: L79 Valve Cover Retainers

My original owner 68 L79 valve cover retainers are not painted and are not chromed.

[Gene M.]

Re: L79 Valve Cover Retainers

The L79 say 67, & 68 use the the plain steel retainers. They are much bigger than than say the 65 base motor retainers. Both sides of the L79 retainers tip upwards with squared off ends where as the base 65's are much shorter and smaller with rounded ends.

[Joe L.]

Re: L79 Valve Cover Retainers

Tom-----

The only year that chrome valve covers were used for an L-79 was 1968. 1965 through 1967 L-79s used the cast aluminum valve covers. With cast aluuminum valve covers no retainer (actually referred to as a "reinforcement")is necessary or could be installed inasmuch as there is a raised boss only slightly larger on OD than the bolt head through which the bolts pass.

If I recall correctly, the valve cover retainers used with the chrome 1968 L-79 valve covers were NOT chromed but were simply zinc-plated steel, the same finish used for big blocks with chrome valve covers.

[Tom R.]

Re: L79 Valve Cover Retainers

Thanks Joe and that makes perfect sense...being "reinforcements" were zinc plated same as big block.

So in Jim's case...at one time his retainers were zinc plated.