69 427 BB Question

[Salvatore I.]

Can anyone tell me the correct valve cover bolts and retainers that are used on the chrome valve covers for the 1969 427/390 engine?

Thank you!

[Dick W.]

Re: 69 427 BB Question

Normally see plated "TR" bolts with triangular reinforcements. The ends of the reinforecements are "nipped" off.

[Salvatore I.]

Re: 69 427 BB Question

Thanks, Dick....

I have "M" head bolts on the car presently...is there a possibility that the M bolts are right?

The car's build date is January, 1969....Thanks...

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 427 BB Question

We normally see TR because that is what the reproduction suppliers offer, and they were the most common. Next most common is D. Depending on the head configuration, I might accept the M. There are some M bolts which would not be acceptable, and some which would. Seeing is believing in this case.

[Michael H.]

Re: 69 427 BB Question

About 25 years ago, a good friend gave me a 6x6x6" box near full of valve cover bolts that were...... well, relocated, off the Tonawanda engine line. All were black plated and, by far, the majority were "TR" head. There were also "M", "P", "D" and "RBW". I gave away one of the last free sets at the 2000 NCRS event here in Florida. (kept a few tho)

I'm sure you know who this person is Terry. He once had an office supply store in Downers Grove but kept ties with his ex coworkers in Michigan. Was big into reproducing/selling Corvette stickers and decals.

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 427 BB Question

I forgot RBW – those might even be more common than the Ds. The Ds did give us fits for a while, though. It was hard for some of us to buy that they weren’t made by Dorman.

[Greg L.]

Re: 69 427 BB Question

Heres another one... my Jan16/69 built L36 has "A" markings on it's valve cover bolts.

[Myron Sleeva]

Re: 69 427 BB Question

What about F markings on a 435 with a Feb 4/69 build date?

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 427 BB Question

Terry-----

I can tell you for absolute certain that the original valve cover bolts on my 1969 300/350 stamped steel valve covers had a large "D" headmark. I also made a small survey of V-8 engines of the 1969-70 period which appeared pretty much original when I have been "perusing" self-serve boneyards. Virtually all were small blocks, of course. I never found one that didn't have at least some "D" headmark bolts (often with some others that were obvious replacements).

[Terry M.]

D headmarks on a small block

Well Joe D head marks on a small block are a first for me. That means you have a rare car.

[Patrick H.]

Re: D headmarks on a small block

The very low mile yellow 71 at the Cincy Regional also had D head marks. I took special note.

Patrick