68 Vette valve covers

[Michael P Boone]

Maybe someone can help me understand the valve covers that were stock on a 68 Vette, with 327/300 and 327/350. I have gotten all kinds of information ranging from polished chrome, painted, aluminum with fins, etc.. This has been a confusing issue to me. Also, does anyone have, or know, where I can locate a correct pair so that I can finish my restoration? Thanks.

[Paul B.]

Re: 68 Vette valve covers

The 350hp were a chrome stamped steel valve cover-the 300hp took the exact same covers-only they were painted. These chrome ones also were used on the '68 302ci Z/28 Camaro. They were also unique to the year as these covers DID NOT have an oil fill hole that '69 & up had. There was a tube in the front part of the intake manifold, like a mid-year, where the oil fill was. They weren't polished either to a bright chrome.

[Tom S.]

Re: 68 Vette valve covers

Micheal
The tech maual states that the base engine had painted orange plain valve covers, no Chevrolet stamped into them.The 350h.p. engine had the same valve covers as the 300h.p. only flash plated chrome.this is on page 40. Hope this help's.

Tom Stanton #41491

[Roger Legge]

Re: 68 Vette valve covers

The '68 327/300 came with stamped steel valve covers painted engine color. The 327/350 came with 'flash' chrome plated stamped steel valve covers. I want to say the '55 and '68 327/350 were the only small block Corvettes to have chrome stamped steel valve covers, but I might be wrong. I have a 2003 Paragon catalog here at work and they list both (their #2252 and #2253) as reconditioned originals. Don't know if they list them in their new catalog - it's at home. Their number is 800-882-4688.

Roger

[Chuck R.]

Re: 68 Vette valve covers

The "Driveline" will probably be your best bet next to a swap meet.

Chuck

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 Vette valve covers

Michael-----

As others have stated, the 300 hp covers were stamped steel with no oil fill or Chevrolet script and were painted with the engine. The 350 hp were identical except they were chromed.

Need a set? No problem. Go to a self-service wrecking yard and find ANY 1968 Chevrolet with small block V-8 engine and original valve covers (the vast majority of these will have original valve covers since these are rarely replaced, especially if the car is a plain jane, grocery-getter type). Find a set as-described and you'll have what you seek. If you need the 350 hp type, simply have these chromed. The covers must be off a 1968, though. This style cover was unique to 1968.

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 Vette valve covers

Roger-----

Yes, as far as small block Corvettes go, the chrome valve covers were used ONLY for all 1955 with V-8 and 1968 with L-79. NO other Corvette small block ever originally used chrome valve covers.