"Buick" finned aluminum valve covers

Discussion in ''Da Nailhead' started by Silver Bullet, Oct 21, 2009.

  1. Silver Bullet

    Silver Bullet Well-Known Member

    I picked up these "Buick" aluminum finned valve covers and just wanted to verify a few things.

    These appear to be factory Buick aluminum valve covers, and if I read correctly the "dent" means they are from a 66. There is a date stamp inside but it was not clean enough to read, along with a strange stamp with what looked like a "W" in the middle, and near one end of the valve cover possibly a casting number.

    Are these getting rare? Other than this set, I don't think I've seen any forsale except on cars.

    From the factory did they come polished?
    In the third picture you can see a small area, to the right of the flash, I tested to see if it would be hard to bring back the smooth finish.

    I plan to use them on my 66 project motor with a quadrajet. I want to build a bucket T or similar hot rod to use it in, so they don't have to look original and I'm not planning on having A/C. If I do rockers I will go with Tom T's if they are available when I get that far, so there shouldn't be clearance issues.

    Is there any other suprises I need to be aware of?

    Thanks
     

    Attached Files:

  2. JZRIV

    JZRIV Platinum Level Contributor

    You are correct, they are from 1966 model year. The "dent" was to accomodate clearance for the smog pump used on CA cars. All non-CA 66 covers had the dent as well.

    I wouldn't consider them rare. Fairly sought after..... maybe. Especially because so many hot rodders now have discovered nailheads.
    Value of originals has been kept down because TA performance has repros that look really good. Of course they are $300 but the fact that they are available keeps the originals from becoming too outrageously priced.

    If someone is looking specifically for 66 covers then those would be a bit harder to locate due to the one year only production. In general I see them for sale from time to time in various places although not always in the mainstream markets.

    I have seen them polished but they never came from the factory that way.
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2009
  3. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    Just don't overtighten the hold-down bolts! That can lead to cracked covers.
    CARS has repo chrome breathers and even the rubber grommets for those.:TU:
    www.oldbuickparts.com
     
  4. nailheadnut

    nailheadnut Riviera addict

    I just bought a new chromed breather from Advance Auto parts that fit the '66 factory valve cover. It was a stock Mr. Gasket item (no logo.) It fit fine and looked OE.
     
  5. Silver Bullet

    Silver Bullet Well-Known Member

    Thank you all for your input. I will have to order the grommets and pick up a breather. I'm still trying to decide about polishing them. Good call on over tightening! I will have to check the chassis manual to see if there is a spec for the aluminum valve covers.
     
  6. TCARL

    TCARL New Member

    I have a set that I am thinking of selling. Interested?
    TCARL
     
  7. John Codman

    John Codman Platinum Level Contributor

    Even though I am not crazy about the "dent", I have a factory set on my '66 425 as they are correct for the engine...
     
  8. elvislives

    elvislives Riviera diseased

    If you are going with an open sided engine compartment, these covers look awesome when painted but the "Buick" part is polished. Cruising down the road you can read the Buick from a mile away.
     

    Attached Files:

  9. SpecialWagon65

    SpecialWagon65 Ted Nagel

    I had the polish shop working on these, ended up just bead blasting and cleaning up the highlights. I like it :beer

    [​IMG]
     

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