C2 Valve Covers

[George C.]

I just bought a pair of valve covers that are probably very late 1965 vintage. They are pretty good, only a faint line visible above the O in each one. They are dirty and dull, and even have some white powdery corrosion in a few places. Is there any value in trying to clean these up, and what could I use, maybe naval jelly, of the aluminum variety? Muriatic acid? Or should I just send them out to Jerry Mcneish and have them "reskinned"?
These are for my 65 driver, but I want them to look correct, I do have the original 365 HP motor.

Thanks in advance,

George
#36809

[Tracy C.]

Re: C2 Valve Covers

Please do not use muratic acid on aluminum..they will turn black and be ruined. Don't ask how I know this. I've had good luck with hot water, simple green and 0000 grade steel wool. There is no scratching with this fine grade steel wool.

Try this first before you send them out for the "tumble burr" reskin process that Jerry Mc and others use.

tc

[Gerard F.]

Re: C2 Valve Covers

George,

Agree with Tracy, the simpler the better. But Eagle Mag cleaner(etching formula) worked great on my aluminum alternator. Haven't tried it on aluminum valve covers as I have the painted steel ones on a 67 S/B. I think they also make a non-etching Mag Cleaner.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Donald T.]

Re: C2 Valve Covers

George,

The casting flaw through the "O" began during the 1966 model year. If you objective is correctness for a 65, then you need to find a set of valve covers without the casting flaw.

[Danny L.]

Re: C2 Valve Covers

Does anyone know accurately when the valve cover flaw started to show in the 66's? My car is a January 66, with 11954 number.
thanks.

[George C.]

Re: C2 Valve Covers

Tracy, Jerry,
Thanks for the information, I am so glad I asked. Sounds like if I use your methods I have nothing to lose and I can resort to "re-skining" as a second step. Just the answer I was looking for.

Thank you,
George

[George C.]

Re: C2 Valve Covers

Don,
I wonder how to find out when the casting flaw really began. The covers on my car are real bad, the O is partially filled, and the line is across the entire top of the cover. The set I just bought have the finist of lines, only visible above the O. I have seen as many 65's with the casting flaw as without, can all these cars have over the counter valve covers on them??

Thank you,

George

[Donald T.]

Re: C2 Valve Covers

George,

The casting flaw didn't show up until late in the 66 model year. I believe the JG lists March as the time frame the casting flaw began. The flaw started out as a fine line and grew over time as the tooling wore. It's very common to see service replacement covers with the flaw on earlier cars.

[Tracy C.]

Re: C2 Valve Covers

George,

If the ones you just bought are in fact "fine line" covers, they are probably covers that were actually delivered on a Corvette in late 66. As mentioned, the casting flaw worsened over time to the condition you describe for the ones installed on your car.

While good "no flaw" covers are becoming increasingly rare, the "fine line" version are especially rare and truely valuable to someone looking for a true original set for their late 66.

You have a pretty small target as far as potiential buyers go, but they should be worth more than enough to pick up a set on "no flaw" covers correct for your car.

tc

[Michael H.]

Re: C2 Valve Covers

I'm surprised someone hasn't purchased the old tooling and repaired the problem area. It's wouldn't be that difficult to do. I have a good friend that has been doing that exact type of repair to molds/dies for decades and he claims it's not difficult at all. New seamless covers would be a great seller as a reproduction item.

[Mike M.]

Re: C2 Valve Covers

If the line is not to bad Jerry Mac. can take it out. He did mine and they came out great. Mike

[John H.]

Re: C2 Valve Covers

Michael -

Paragon owns the original mold, and is still producing the covers from it; that's the only mold in existence.

[mike cobine]

Re: C2 Valve Covers

And since they say "Corvette", you can only do it if licensed by Chevrolet, whether you own the mold or make your own.

[John D.]

Re: C2 Valve Covers flaw

Danny, I have been told that March 66 seems to be the date when the crack appeared thru the 'O' John

[Patrick H.]

Re: C2 Valve Covers flaw

Our late April 66 had one with, and one without. The flawed one has the tiniest flaw, as if it was a recent development.
I don't know the history of the covers that came with the car, so no guarantee. Just sharing some observations.

Patrick