63-4 valve cover screws

[John D.]

I noticed that in the LI catalog 63 HP valve cover screws were only used until March 63. Talking about the pan head phillip screws. I don't get involved with the JM so I don't know what it says.
Anyhow my friend Dave Cardina and his friend bought a matching pair of Jan 64 FI cars-brand new. Dave said those two cars had the phillips screws and not the bolts. I have heard this from others also. It seems that the early 64's may have had phillips as well as ALL off 63.
More info than you wanted to know: The original phillips screws were a lot different than typical hardware store variety that you see today. The pan head was thicker and the phillips screwdriver slot was much larger and deeper. My car has 7 out of 8 original screws in it. My point of this topic is that I believe along with others that the phillip screws were used throughout 63 production and into 64. I don't know how late they were used on 64's though. No documentation beyond Jan 64. Dave Cardina has photos of his engine when it was brand new showing these screws and also a BLUE accelerator spring. John

[Tom H.]

Re: 63-4 valve cover screws

Hi John !!

Right or wrong, the judging manual calls for phillips screws for 63's up until late production. It calls for zinc plated recessed hex head bolts from late 63 and all of 64.

Tom

[Loren L.]

Right now I am looking at some 8 x 10

photos made from enlargements of slides dtd "Sep '63". The car is a Daytona Blue PG, 300HP, VIN #21378.
The car was initially purchased by the late gentleman that bought the car new.
I know that I provided copies to Eddie Hammer-Huber (sorry on the SP?), whose response I have on file dated "4/30/85".
The one engine compartment shot shows:

1. bolts in the valve cover.

2. No hood guides.

3. unpainted hood release cable

4. bolt in the master cylinder - NOT a PB car.
Oh, the interior shot of the speedo shows mileage as 1132 miles.

Then we can move on to the 17XXX ZO6 CVT owned by Bill Shipp and photos that I took at the Zion Regional; 1> bolts in the valve cover; 2> NO
GM logo on the heater hoses; GM markings on the expansion tank upper connection to the radiator.
On to the one owner ZO6 of Dave Van Wheel (spelling) which I believe to a 15XXX car - bolts in the valve covers.

[Peter L.]

Re: Judging Manual, right or wrong!!!!!!!!

Tom - I apologize upfront but I'm not quite sure on how to interpret you response. So, I'll get on my "soap box" and suggest we (that's the royal we) as NCRS members have a responsibilty to do our best to have our TIM&JGs (and they are "guides") be the best and "right" and that in my mind is that they are as accurate/correct as they can be but at the same time the manuals and judges are knowledgeable and are flexible enough to recognize we don't always have the necessary information to determine exactly when production items changed from one configuration to another and then possible back. Inventory control back then wasn't one of their strong suites and it probably didn't have to be and most likely it didn't make any difference in most cases and they surely weren't making cars to meet the TIM&JGs. Trying to figure out how things were done 30 to 50 plus years later is a real challenge but that don't mean in my opinion we should not keep trying to continuously improve our TIM&JGs and accept the status quo. Pete

[Frank C.]

Re: 63-4 valve cover screws

I guess i'm wrong AGAIN but I thot that only '63 340 & 360hp's came with alum covers. did 300hp's use them as well?....Regards Frank

[Mike M.]

Re: 63-4 valve cover screws

250 and 300 hp engines had orange stamped steel covers. the solid lifter engines had alum covers. mike

[Frank C.]

Re: 63-4 valve cover screws

Mike I got ahead of myself I guess thinking long screws instead of long and short. IIRC they look just about the same from the head, just different lengths....Regards Frank

[Tom H.]

Re: Judging Manual, right or wrong!!!!!!!!

Hi Peter !

No need to apologize or get on the soap box. I always hate to quote the manual fearing someone will chime in and correct what is written. I simply stated what the manual says. If you read John's original post, he said he didn't know what the manual said. I just quoted the manual. Right or wrong. Period. That's what I use and was only quoting such. I know how much work goes into the manual and appreciate every page. I carry it in by briefcase and it is with me everywhere I go.

Tom Hendricks
63 Manual Lover !

[John D.]

Re: Right now I am looking at some 8 x 10

HI Loren and others, Thanks for all your replies. You know this screw thing wasn't my idea. I always thought that it was ABC. Around March 63 the phillips went to bolts. But then Dave Cardina's Jan 64 car showed up with phillips screws. Had them when the car was brand new. So go figure. Guess the assembly line guy made a mistake. Maybe MH or RJ was working the line that day. So we stick with what we have because the screws were typical of originality. They conformed to what we have been taught. But....... JOhn D.

[John D.]

Re: 63-4 valve cover screws

Tom, Yes I agree we should stick with the JM as it and many other sources suggest that phillip screws would be correct until around March 63. Read my last post for other info. The fact that a few original cars were made with the screws doesn't mena they all were. To make matters worse I wish I had not brought the subject up. No wonder I don't get any work done. Thanks, John

[Tom H.]

Re: 63-4 valve cover screws

Thanks John !!

My whole reason for posting a response was to respond to your comment in the original post that you didn't get involved in the JM, so I just posted what it said. That was my reason for posting "right or wrong" I hope the manual never gets perfect. That will mean we are done learning !! Now go get some work done !! Se ya !