My valve covers and air cleaner lid are in decent condition, but they are showing their age. My engine builder thinks I should leave them alone and not replate them (original parts). Everything else on the car is replaced, reconditioned. I'm not sure I understand the mindset behind not restoring those parts as well.
Anybody care to offer opinions?

Why not purchase some replacement ones, refinish those and store the originals somewhere in case you ever need them?

well as far as original go's if you changed one thing then it's not original anymore.so as far as changing your valvecovers or air cleaner i say why not! it's not original anymore anyways just something to think about

though i've tried to keep things original it is sometimes not practical. 1969 was many years ago and that makes original many years old. Working properly and looking good has priority for me. Bloomington gold will never happen. I drive my car and I like to pop the hood at the gatherings I do attend.I picked up a new set of covers for my L71 to keep things under the hood looking nice and clean. You've got the original valve covers, a rechrome sounds good to me. That L71 motor is looking good.

I'd replace the covers.

Thanks guys! I was leaning towards re chroming, hell, everything else has been redone, why stop now?

gmurry has it right. It's not original now so make it like you want it. I am doing some cosmetic work on my 79 and SAVING THE OLD PARTS.
GOOD LUCK!!!

John

Pretty much the only thing that's original about my 74 is the body.

Those L71 valve covers were never that high quality looking to begin with. They were never chrome plated...Chevrolet had them "flash" chromed, which is a much lower quality plating, and they all show dimples where the spot welds for the drippers on their interiors was done. What may not look good to you may be just as they were new.

You can certainly have them re-chromed better than new. Its up to you. I've seen some beautiful polished aluminum valve covers I considered for my L71, but two things stopped me...that the rest of the car is original and the high cost of the replacement valve covers (over $400). I'm more than happy to live with hat I have.

put some stylish ones on and keep the originals redo when you have some extra cash.