Original 67 Valve Covers

[Kirk McHugh]

Hey,

I just got some reconditioned original valve covers today. When I compared them to my beat up covers on the car, I noticed one glaring difference. The "R" in Chevrolet is much broader (thicker) across the top on my covers versus the ones I got today. Is that suggestive of anything? I also seems to me that the lettering on the "new" original cover appears more crisp. Let me know. Thanks.

[John D.]

Re: Original 67 Valve Covers

Kirk, There were at least two suppliers of this valve cover. Lester and Hoover sweeper company. Lester is the most common and typically OEM where as Hoover was a replacement valve cover. The Hoover valve cover was discussed not long ago on VH's as I brought up the post. Look for the Hoover symbol close to the one end of the valve cover. A lot of their valve covers turned out to be seconds as far as quality goes. This is just heresay though.
I see some variation on the script of your style valve covers. I have seen exactly what you describe. The valve cover was an inexpensive casting and the quality control just wasn't there. I see some NOS '67 style valve covers that are downright ugly and some that are very nice. The last ones made were the pits. Really rough aluminum and lots of flashing. Only logical that they would be that way though at the end. John

[Joe R.]

Re: Original 67 Valve Covers

Hi Kirk:

Are you talking about the aluminum 350 HP covers or the stamped steel 300 HP covers?

[Tom H.]

Re: Original 67 Valve Covers

I'm sure this conversation is about the finned aluminum valve cover.

[Brian M.]

Re: Original 67 Valve Covers

It must be about the base engine covers as the 350 covers said CORVETTE and not CHEVROLET

[Tom H.]

Re: Original 67 Valve Covers

You are right Brian ! Must have read this post before a cup of coffee. That's what happens when I assume !!

[John H.]

Re: Original 67 Valve Covers

Kirk -

Do both sets have the same angle on the ends? '67 Corvette base engine stamped valve covers had the ends angled back about 10*.

[Kirk McHugh]

Re: Original 67 Valve Covers

Sorry, stamped steel 300 hp. Forgot that there would be two 327's 300 and 350.

[Kirk McHugh]

Re: Original 67 Valve Covers

Yes, the ends seem to be the same - angled back with a few wrinkles as you approach the corners. The indents seem the same as well. The only thing that stuck out to me was the significant difference in the letter "R" of chevrolet. In addition, the second set's lettering just seemed more crisp. However, the ones I have on my car have been painted over several times, while the "new" old ones were stripped and repainted fresh. Just wondered if the "R" was suggestive of anything. Thanks.

[Kirk McHugh]

Re: Original 67 Valve Covers

Are the 300hp heads marked in any way? I see nothing stamped on these.

[Joe R.]

Re: Original 67 Valve Covers

Hi Kirk:

I have a total of six 67 300 HP valve covers. Five of them have the large "R" that you describe, and one of them has the small "R." The entire stamping of the one with the small "R" is less crisp than the others with the large "R."

Attached is a photo that attempts to compare the two versions, with the small "R" on the top and the large "R" on the bottom. I'm fairly certain that both of these are original valve covers, because they have considerable pitting from rust on the inside surface. In fact, I don't know if these valve covers have ever been reproduced.

It looks to me that these two covers came off of different tools. It could have been two different tools used by the same supplier, or simply two different suppliers.

In any event, I think that either version should be considered correct, unless someone can make a case that one version was only available as a service replacement. Maybe some other people with known-original valve covers can check to see which version they have on their car.

[Joe R.]

Re: Original 67 Valve Covers

Hi Kirk:

The ends of your heads should have the double "camel hump" as shown in the photo below. The surface of the double hump should be machined smooth, not rough casting. There should NOT be any stamping on this surface. The "R" stamped on the one in the photo was added by a machine shop at some time in the past when the heads were rebuilt.

The casting number and casting date of the head are under the valve cover. I will post a separate photo of that.

[Joe R.]

Re: Original 67 Valve Covers

Here is a photo of a 67 300 HP head casting number (3890462) and casting date (C167 = March 16, 1967). These are visible with the valve covers removed. The 350 HP version used the same casting, but the casting was machined for slightly larger valves.

[Roy B.]

Re: Original 67 Valve Covers

Joe! I see your getting nutty about your 67 as I'm about my 55 , I'm nutty also when it comes to detail on "my" Corvette but other do what ever they like. I think it's suppliers , GM dint use only one supplier but accepted a part that was close . That's why you see different logo markings on what seems to be the same part. It was their way to show what company made the part. That way if GM had a problem they new who to go to like a cast part M 1 M2 M13 again GM marked their cast moulds to do the same thing even by marking the shift that made the part.

[Joe R.]

Re: Original 67 Valve Covers

Hi Roy:

I agree that the differences in the valve covers are quite likely to be due to different suppliers. They may also be due to different generations of tools. In any event, Kirk's post helped me learn something new about 67s, which is something I always enjoy learning about.