got a question..... see through valve covers... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

hewlett2002000 · 11-02-2007, 02:43 AM

i was sitting here, cant sleep, bored as hell. for some reason i closed my eyes and saw rocker arms moving as an engine was running.... real gear head huh? lol

well i was thinking of making see through valve covers for my truck. i think that would be cool. how could i make some that would stand up to the heat? i was just thinking of installing a little window in the top of some spare covers i have laying around. any ideas on what kind of material to use?
thanks,
John

NF65Fleetside · 11-02-2007, 02:51 AM

that would be an awesome idea, and yes only a true gearhead would think of something like that...my concern is that wouldnt too much oil sling around make the covers non visable after awhile?

sls_06ion · 11-02-2007, 03:48 PM

pyrex, and theres a company in california that will do it for you. plus they have a way of securing it to the vavle cover.
http://www.killerglass.com/ - these folks do it...

BACKYARD88 · 11-02-2007, 04:08 PM

I agree that's an interesting idea. I thought I had seen it on the web somewhere before but I couldn't find it through a quick search. Pyrex would be the way to go, it won't stain like plastics and as long as you keep your oil clean everything should be plenty visable.

salazar44 · 11-02-2007, 05:02 PM

I think it has been done already. Search and you might find some already made??

Chevysdominate · 11-02-2007, 07:45 PM

You should have no problems using a sheet of lexan (polycarbonate). I could be wrong, but i believe the upper temperature range is 300 degrees. You can get some at home depot or lowes and its cheap.

Iron-Butt · 11-02-2007, 07:46 PM

Neat idea.

mbgmike · 11-02-2007, 08:22 PM

We sell the clear differential cover that would go with it.

Its not cheap.

We used to press form plex and lexan. All you would need to do is make a wooden cover or screw an old cover down to a raised stand.Make two 1/4" plates of aluminum with a rectanglular hole that are bolted together with the plastic sandwitched in between. Heat the whole thing up in an oven to 350 degrees and when its ready yank it out and press it down over the mold and clamp fast You would probably have to squish in at the sides for the earlier covers maybe using some dowl rods.
Of course casting it would be less work.

I am going to go drink beer and think about it

Dadsredwagon · 11-03-2007, 10:26 PM

seen it on a 72 Chevelle, after a while the clear is not very cleat looks great while it first starting but the cover get oil slinged everywhere, just my 2 cents

sls_06ion · 11-04-2007, 03:11 PM

this company also does radiator hoses, if you want this I'd suggest pyrex it can be treated to shed oils, my.02

19GMC63 · 11-04-2007, 06:59 PM

it would be really cool if they were removeable, so you could clean them, or to make adjusting lifters easier.

11-02-2007, 02:43 AM	#1
hewlett2002000 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cleveland, Tx Posts: 1,619	got a question..... see through valve covers... i was sitting here, cant sleep, bored as hell. for some reason i closed my eyes and saw rocker arms moving as an engine was running.... real gear head huh? lol well i was thinking of making see through valve covers for my truck. i think that would be cool. how could i make some that would stand up to the heat? i was just thinking of installing a little window in the top of some spare covers i have laying around. any ideas on what kind of material to use? thanks, John __________________ Respect: 1. A feeling of appreciative, often deferential regard; esteem. 2. The state of being regarded with honor or esteem. 3. Willingness to show consideration or appreciation. When you fail to show consideration to others values you are showing disrespect.

11-02-2007, 02:51 AM	#2
NF65Fleetside Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 674	Re: got a question..... see through valve covers... that would be an awesome idea, and yes only a true gearhead would think of something like that...my concern is that wouldnt too much oil sling around make the covers non visable after awhile?

11-02-2007, 03:48 PM	#3
sls_06ion Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: West Linn, Oregon Posts: 13	Re: got a question..... see through valve covers... pyrex, and theres a company in california that will do it for you. plus they have a way of securing it to the vavle cover. http://www.killerglass.com/ - these folks do it...

11-02-2007, 04:08 PM	#4
BACKYARD88 On the fast track to nowhere.. Join Date: May 2006 Location: Splendora, Texas Posts: 5,316	Re: got a question..... see through valve covers... I agree that's an interesting idea. I thought I had seen it on the web somewhere before but I couldn't find it through a quick search. Pyrex would be the way to go, it won't stain like plastics and as long as you keep your oil clean everything should be plenty visable. __________________ -Mike Owen- Support the board here! 71 Chevy short fleet build thread Double D Norwood, Houston, Cecilia, Jackson, Monroe and counting

11-02-2007, 05:02 PM	#5
salazar44 65 - Chevy C10 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 625	Re: got a question..... see through valve covers... I think it has been done already. Search and you might find some already made?? __________________ VIC One Repair Leads to Another! http://vix65chevyc10.blogspot.com

11-02-2007, 07:45 PM	#6
Chevysdominate Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Springtucky, Oregon Posts: 265	Re: got a question..... see through valve covers... You should have no problems using a sheet of lexan (polycarbonate). I could be wrong, but i believe the upper temperature range is 300 degrees. You can get some at home depot or lowes and its cheap.

11-02-2007, 07:46 PM	#7
Iron-Butt 454 club Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,348	Re: got a question..... see through valve covers... Neat idea. __________________ David 1965 Chevrolet c-10 454 automatic Custom bbw swb. 1965 Chevrolet C-10 swb (Sold) 1963 Chevrolet C-10 6 Cyl automatic with dual exhaust, pb, ps and 17's. R.I.P "I will miss you. 1967 Chevrolet C-10 6 Cyl Custom lwb 1939 Chevrolet Coupe, 350 v8 automatic. 1935 Chevrolet 2 Dr Standard in the works. 2015 Harley Davidson Street Glide. 2023 Chevrolet Stingray Z51 Convertible. I never want to grow up.

11-02-2007, 08:22 PM	#8
mbgmike Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR Posts: 5,415	Re: got a question..... see through valve covers... We sell the clear differential cover that would go with it. Its not cheap. We used to press form plex and lexan. All you would need to do is make a wooden cover or screw an old cover down to a raised stand.Make two 1/4" plates of aluminum with a rectanglular hole that are bolted together with the plastic sandwitched in between. Heat the whole thing up in an oven to 350 degrees and when its ready yank it out and press it down over the mold and clamp fast You would probably have to squish in at the sides for the earlier covers maybe using some dowl rods. Of course casting it would be less work. I am going to go drink beer and think about it Last edited by mbgmike; 11-02-2007 at 08:23 PM. Reason: correct spell

11-03-2007, 10:26 PM	#9
Dadsredwagon Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Spring,TX Posts: 342	Re: got a question..... see through valve covers... seen it on a 72 Chevelle, after a while the clear is not very cleat looks great while it first starting but the cover get oil slinged everywhere, just my 2 cents

11-04-2007, 03:11 PM	#10
sls_06ion Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: West Linn, Oregon Posts: 13	Re: got a question..... see through valve covers... this company also does radiator hoses, if you want this I'd suggest pyrex it can be treated to shed oils, my.02 Attached Images

11-04-2007, 06:59 PM	#11
19GMC63 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,510	Re: got a question..... see through valve covers... it would be really cool if they were removeable, so you could clean them, or to make adjusting lifters easier.



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