engine dress up

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kgc4160

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kelly
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whats a good set of valve covers.. been looking and dont want a cheap set but also dont want to spend a arm and a leg.. recommendations.. also some pics of what youve added to dress up your engine would be nice.. was also thinking about chrome pulleys and brackets..
 

nvrenuf

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I found a fair amount of reasonably priced polished aluminum stuff on eBay for my current build. Seems like I spent about $150 total on valve covers, timing cover and air cleaner.
 

Iowan

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M/Ts are classic. Fabricated are really sleek, finned are reminiscent of the good ol’ days, chrome are forever a classic that add reliably and HP, and Moroso valve covers.....those are for maximum sexiness and will always catch the eye of everyone around.
Sorry for this most likely useless post I am somewhat bored :rofl:.
My vote is Moroso

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PrairieDrifter

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I’ve got Holley muscle series valve covers. They’re a little bit spendy like 200 something if I remember right, but both covers have two openings for multiple pcv and oil fill setups, and for the spots you don’t use there’s covers.

IMO cast aluminum covers are the only way to go for maximum sealing capability, they’re rigid and don’t warp.

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Shorty81

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Acquired these old school covers from a friend who was getting ready to take them to a deal meet.

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dvdswan

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I’ve got Holley muscle series valve covers. They’re a little bit spendy like 200 something if I remember right, but both covers have two openings for multiple pcv and oil fill setups, and for the spots you don’t use there’s covers.

IMO cast aluminum covers are the only way to go for maximum sealing capability, they’re rigid and don’t warp.

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You should really ditch the butt connector on you alt wiring. I think its on its last leg. It will end up giving you headaches down the road.
 

Colin

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I picked up this pair on eBay for very little. Either aluminum or magnesium from a '84 corvette.

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After cleaning, sanding and repaint I like 'em much better than the stamped steel that came stock.

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PrairieDrifter

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You should really ditch the butt connector on you alt wiring. I think its on its last leg. It will end up giving you headaches down the road.
Old pictures lol. You can kind of see it.

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Blue Ox

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I've never been a fan of valve covers that have some aftermarket manufacturer's name on them. I don't intend to offend anybody, it's just a preference thing. But I mean, it's not a Holley or a Moroso, it's a Chevrolet. So my vote is for finned aluminum or something similar. Colin's Corvette covers and Shorty81's covers are the cat's @$$ too. Nothing like suggesting you've got a race engine under the hood.
 

smoothandlow84

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I didn't go crazy with the valve covers, but I am still looking for a non scripted chrome intake, even though I use alwaysbroke components.
 

82sbshortbed

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Where did you get that radiator hose? Is it metal flex hose? Never seen that. How does it seal to the water neck? That sure is different. Not that I don't like it. Just wondering.
 

smoothandlow84

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The radiator hoses are flexible stainless steel. There are several suppliers online and at Jegs and Summit. Google a search for flexible coolant hose. My heater hoses are the same material. The hoses come with a variety of silicone adapters that slide over the radiator inlet and outlet. The steel flex hose slides over the adapters and they come with polished aluminum endcaps with hose clamps. They fit snug and no more worries about bursting hoses.
 

Swims350

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none
the cheap chrome stuff will rust unless you are out there wacing it once a week or so no joke, been there done that.

I even tried chromed alum. that ended up corroding under the chrome and peeling, and that was an air cleaner.

Aluminum, or painted parts is the way to go IMO.

I love chrome but chrome plated steel rusts and alum, flakes.

Aluminum has to be polished and is a good bit of work but my next build that's what I want to go for polished alum. and painted stuff. You can get a mother powerball or power cone to aid in polishing and if you buy new should be able to keep it looking good.

I had some really nice polished alum valve covers I bought used for cheap but they were never as nice as new.

I like to try and hide wires as well and make it all nice and clean.


These pics are of those used alum. valve covers and that chromed alum, air cleaner top that flaked off, I sanded it and used some filler primer and then some auto paint over it.

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Snoots

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I've never been a fan of valve covers that have some aftermarket manufacturer's name on them. I don't intend to offend anybody, it's just a preference thing. But I mean, it's not a Holley or a Moroso, it's a Chevrolet. So my vote is for finned aluminum or something similar. Colin's Corvette covers and Shorty81's covers are the cat's @$$ too. Nothing like suggesting you've got a race engine under the hood.

X2
 

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