Q: re - can anyone ID this ?

[BigDaddy Mich]

I've asked as many GM Guys that I know, and everyone says "I've NEVER seen a valve cover like that before in my life" - Does anyone have an idea if this a standard issue thing?
My C-10 is a bare-bones (non-California) 2WD long bed with a 4.1 and a manual 3spd (column). I'm just curious why this valve cover looks like it's from a V 8-6-4 Cadillac lol.

Any opinions/ideas welcome.

Thanks, fellas.

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[Keith Seymore]

That absolutely is a regular ole 250 cu in straight six valve cover. For use with the integral head intake/exhaust setup.

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My 80 Chevy stepper had that.

K

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[Hilllbilly]

OP... post us a picture of the intake/exhaust side of the head

The "all knowing internet" says the integrated heads are prone to cracking , the internet says

 

[HotRodPC]

OP... post us a picture of the intake/exhaust side of the head

The "all knowing internet" says the integrated heads are prone to cracking , the internet says

Tis True. Very Prone to Cracking, and not where you'd think. They like to crack in the threads, even the water pump mounting threads. I rebuilt one for a guy in the late 80's. Had his head magnafluxed, it was cracked. It took me the 5th head from the junk yard to finally get one that the machine shop didn't find a crack in. The guy wanted me to just convert it to an older 250 head. I couldn't do it due to being in Cali and smog licensing inspection requirement. He'd have never passed smog.

 

[BigDaddy Mich]

That absolutely is a regular ole 250 cu in straight six valve cover. For use with the integral head intake/exhaust setup.

Heritage Center info packet link:

Site Maintenance

My 80 Chevy stepper had that.

K

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THANK YOU so much for the reply! I love this truck - it just seemed weird to me. NOW we KNOW! ~ BD

 

[HotRodPC]

THANK YOU so much for the reply! I love this truck - it just seemed weird to me. NOW we KNOW! ~ BD

Now that you know what it is, I'll go ahead and give permisison for an engine swap on that truck. IF it was the older I6 without the integrated head, I'd say NOOO, that's against the rulz, keep the I6 in it. But this monstrosity uglier than a red headed step child, feel free to swap it out. They're not as reliable as the older ones. The bottom end is, but that head wiht the intake set up and such, it's just ugliness and as said, heads are prone to crack. I'll add though, many times the heads will crack and you won't even know it. It'll just keep runnin and runnin, just like Forrest Gump. So basically it can have a superficial crack. Meaning, it'll be cracked but really not affecting anything YET. As the crack grows, it'll eventually start affecting something. You could even just convert the head to the older style and keep the shott block if you wanted to.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

Lousy head used from 1977-84. I'd find a 1977 and earlier non-integral head, slap in on and keep cruising.

 

[Sad Sack]

Had a 1975 Camaro with an integral head 250 - hated it. Car ran great but notorious for problems with cracking.

 

[BigDaddy Mich]

Tis True. Very Prone to Cracking, and not where you'd think. They like to crack in the threads, even the water pump mounting threads. I rebuilt one for a guy in the late 80's. Had his head magnafluxed, it was cracked. It took me the 5th head from the junk yard to finally get one that the machine shop didn't find a crack in. The guy wanted me to just convert it to an older 250 head. I couldn't do it due to being in Cali and smog licensing inspection requirement. He'd have never passed smog.

 

[BigDaddy Mich]

.. but if smog / emissions regulations aren't an issue, CAN you change to the older style head ? Curious.

 

[Sad Sack]

.. but if smog / emissions regulations aren't an issue, CAN you change to the older style head ? Curious.

Believe so, just got to get an intake as well.

 

[Ricko1966]

Yep and 350s eventually wear out the rings,rod bearings,and valve,seals, eventually,so we should probably just go ahead pull them now before they have problems and swap in LT4s.

 

[justhorns]

Lousy head used from 1977-84. I'd find a 1977 and earlier non-integral head, slap in on and keep cruising.

Just remember, you will need new intake and exhaust manifolds and have to re-do the front exhaust pipe that leads to the catalyst.

 

[justhorns]

For my 250 IH I have the early head on the shelf for change out one day soon. When I get some $$

 

[JBswth]

.. but if smog / emissions regulations aren't an issue, CAN you change to the older style head ? Curious.

Yes you can! You might have a very hard time finding the correct bracket set for the accessories, but once you have everything buttoned up, you will be good to go. If you have progressive 2 barrel carb, you will have to switch to a 1 barrel of the correct era.