Valve Covers

[Schonyenko2]

Wow that sucks. We'll have to remember that if we ever build a BB and need to use repop covers. You could always throw on some M/Ts. Those Crane roller tipped rockers will fit under stock LT/1 valve covers if you take a bit off the cast in drippers, and use the thick gaskets. I think that's what Marlin uses. S.

[Chevy454]

I actually thought these were gonna be golden, as they seemed heavier and better built than the previous repros I've seen...but they're the only ones I've ever had to bang the drippers?

Good tip on the LT1...we gonna have to do tear downs at SCR8?

[Eddie M.]

I've got a set of Crane Corvette valve covers on my camaro the finish on them is a lot nicer then factory and you can still see the spot welds to,not the look that I wanted but I like them.
Eddie

[JRSully]

What is the various opinions on running a BB with aftermarket (no drippers) valve covers.? I have a mint set of original, cast Motion covers that I want to run on a newly rebuilt (unfired yet) L78. They don't have drippers, am I asking for trouble.? Thanks

Sully

[Chevy454]

Unless you're running true roller rockers, then "yes" you're asking for trouble. Been there, done that, and have a set of busted rockers to show for it...

[copo69]

Rob, were you running the Crane covers or other repo's? I've got a set of Crane's covers waiting to be put on. You can actually buy them (the Crane's) cheaper from Year One than Crane's.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Sorry, no Crane rockers on my LT1 no rubbing on the drippers, and just regular old cork gaskets!

Comps maybe, but no Cranes Gotta keep up with Frankies ride

[Chevy454]

I know they weren't Cranes units, but I have no idea where they came from. Dad just handed 'em to me and I put 'em on...

I'd really like to hear how people with the Crane's installed like 'em, how they fit, quality, etc...

[copo69]

I've had the Crane's sitting in the garage for a few months...never got around to changing them. I have rechromed originals on the car now and they look too slick so I bought the Crane's. They're also too slick, chrome is too nice, spot welds look OK and clip is correct. I just kept looking at them over and over trying to decide if they were worth their cost. I started to send them back but decided to keep them and use them on the Camaro and send the rechromes to the Biscayne. Like I say they're OK and look much better than the other repops but the only way to get them really correct would be NOS or mint used. I've never seen anybody do rechromes that look correct... always come out too slick. Just can't duplicate GM's cheap flash chrome look. Greg

[Pantera]

The cheap Chev originals were somehow not brass plated first or at least they were not polished. Most rechromers do a 3 layer chrome job. The main reason that re-chrome is so smooth is that the brass layer that goes on first is polished to a high and smooth finish before it receives the 2nd layer of nickel and then the actual final chrome layer. The chrome layer is very thin usually.

Chev just did a quickie dip job on them with out doing the high polish layer. Chrome only is as good as the polish and finish that it goes on to.

I would bet that some body that does this kind of work could duplicate the factory shoddy work if you wanted them to.