I'm looking for a nice set of original Chrome BB valve covers with drippers and no slant, for a 454 BB Corvette.

Thanks

Vic

vadelsohn@cogeco.ca

Vic, If you don't want to spend 450-500 for oem's you can get what you are looking for at Restoration Whse (check ebay) for about 80-100 bucks. Identical to original except no part # stamped.

Make sure what you buy have the drip rails.

74-454 is exactly correct - BB valve covers in 1972 were painted Chevy Orange.  Be careful when you tighten them down.  Very easy to overtorque and cause oil leaks.

The reason those old chrome covers didn't hold up is that they were plated with a "flash Chrome" sometimes also called tooling chrome. It didn't have any of the pre-treatment that you would expect on a show type plating job, just clean it , dip it, put it on the car. It scratches easily too. They looked good long enough for the car to make it to the dealer.

If you want original, go with the painted for your year, if you want chrome, don't waste cash on the cheap stuff, it won't hold up. If you have a decent set, think about getting them re-plated???????

I bought mine from Crane for my 69 427/390hp. He knows exactly what you need. His chrome is show quality.

I agree...if you want chrome, don't go for the cheapies. You'll regret it. The cheap ones are made from a lighter gauge steel and will flex and the hold down bolts will constantly back out and leak oil. Not with my Vette but with a Brand X that it happened to me. The valve covers were beautiful to look at but it was a hassle constantly retightening the bolts and wiping up the oil seepage.

There are heavy gauge chrome valve covers out there that look good and won't leak, but like anything else, you get what you pay for.

You might consider polished aluminum valve covers. There is a set of polished ones I would love for my '69 427, but the best price I've found on them is $400...waaaay too stiff a price for me. I'm sticking with the original flash chromed covers...not as nice but they get the job done.

Like the old saying goes "you get what you pay for" I went through 3 different sets because they were affordable, (I was too cheap) they scratched easy, and constantly leaked. either get yours chromed by someone who knows what they're doing, or just spring for the good ones. You'll be sorry in the long run if you don't.

  I just found some in the new midamerica catalogue yesterday,under a c-note for the pair and thses have drippers as you desire-flandy