I just had a stupid/cool idea... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Dark Knight · 01-25-2011, 10:48 AM

So I was thinking the other night (since I'm a gearhead I'm always thinking about cool new stuff to engineer). I don't know if this even exists already or if it will even work, but..... I was thinking about making some clear valve covers for my truck. It would be pretty cool to pop the hood and show off the running valvetrain to your buddies.

The only problems are do they make plastic that will stand up to the heat and will the oil from the rockers cover up the underside of the covers rendering the idea useless? They already have clear diff covers, so why not? I figure if you make them tall enough, they wouldn't be affected by the oil splash. Just an idea...

cable666guy · 01-25-2011, 10:51 AM

I think somebody does this already...steel on the four sides, and clear on the top...does sound cool tho!!

John Gilbert · 01-25-2011, 10:53 AM

Sounds like a cool idea, but the reality of it for me would be the valve covers would look like they were painted gloss black in about 10-seconds.

That said, I'd say go for it!

mr48chev · 01-25-2011, 10:58 AM

They had clear ones about 30 years ago and you can probably find some still floating around unused but they discolored rather quickly back then.

DUTCHMAN · 01-25-2011, 11:04 AM

Saw them on an other forum.

Dark Knight · 01-25-2011, 11:11 AM

Aww man... I just found an eBay member that sells them.

http://stores.ebay.com/Crystal-Custom-Covers

But $175. That's a lotta money for a set of valve covers. At least to me anyway. But, they're just so darn cool. I was thinking more of the whole thing being clear though. Then you could see the pushrods. Maybe if every engine had them, it would provoke people to change their oil regularly when they started to see sludge build up.

basemodel67 · 01-25-2011, 12:26 PM

I would want a set that were totally made out of the clear stuff. I know they make rear end covers out of lexan... so why not make 'em that way?

Dark Knight · 01-25-2011, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basemodel67

I would want a set that were totally made out of the clear stuff. I know they make rear end covers out of lexan... so why not make 'em that way?

That's what I'm talking about. Clear on the sides as well as the top. I guess they would have to be injection molded or something.

OhOneWS6 · 01-25-2011, 12:36 PM

I think you are at least going to need a metal sealing surface or at the very least some kind of plate that would go around the sealing surface to stiffen it up. Jeep used a plastic valve cover for a few years. It leaked like a sieve.

treveiger · 01-25-2011, 02:07 PM

Those would be cool but itd be hard to see with the oil splasing on it wouldnt it?

*Shane* · 01-25-2011, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basemodel67

I would want a set that were totally made out of the clear stuff. I know they make rear end covers out of lexan... so why not make 'em that way?

because a rear differential does not generate the same amount of heat an internal combustion engine does.

ffk · 01-25-2011, 03:34 PM

my friend had a set of harley davidson rocker covers and a 18" -12" back wheel done on a custom chopper..they were made out of lexon....the wheel cost 12,000.00 rockers were 3000.00 ..we had a great time building this bike..it was bad ass.but the customer wanted a one off scoot ..i say dont waste your money..

01-25-2011, 10:48 AM	#1
Dark Knight Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pleak, Texas Posts: 420	I just had a stupid/cool idea... So I was thinking the other night (since I'm a gearhead I'm always thinking about cool new stuff to engineer). I don't know if this even exists already or if it will even work, but..... I was thinking about making some clear valve covers for my truck. It would be pretty cool to pop the hood and show off the running valvetrain to your buddies. The only problems are do they make plastic that will stand up to the heat and will the oil from the rockers cover up the underside of the covers rendering the idea useless? They already have clear diff covers, so why not? I figure if you make them tall enough, they wouldn't be affected by the oil splash. Just an idea... __________________ -1967 Chevrolet Fleetside LWB- 350 V8 w/thumpr cam, NV3500, 3.08 gears, A/C, PS -1983 Chevy Silverado C1500- 383 stroker, TH400 -1989 Chevy Silverado K1500 SWB- 5.3L swap, 700R4, 3.42 gears -And a '66 Ford Mustang- 200 I6, C4 trans, rust bucket "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." -FDR (and maybe rust too) You've gotta be able to stop and steer before you can go fast!

01-25-2011, 10:51 AM	#2
cable666guy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Willow Grove, PA Posts: 299	Re: I just had a stupid/cool idea... I think somebody does this already...steel on the four sides, and clear on the top...does sound cool tho!!

01-25-2011, 10:53 AM	#3
John Gilbert Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Placentia, California Posts: 567	Re: I just had a stupid/cool idea... Sounds like a cool idea, but the reality of it for me would be the valve covers would look like they were painted gloss black in about 10-seconds. That said, I'd say go for it!

01-25-2011, 10:58 AM	#4
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,418	Re: I just had a stupid/cool idea... They had clear ones about 30 years ago and you can probably find some still floating around unused but they discolored rather quickly back then.

01-25-2011, 11:04 AM	#5
DUTCHMAN Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 363	Re: I just had a stupid/cool idea... Saw them on an other forum. Attached Images __________________ 06 BMW 330d aut touring full option 83 Jeep CJ7 360 aut sold 71 GMC Suburban 67 Chevrolet C10 stepside 54 Ford F100 sold 49 Chevrolet coe 48 Ford f6 coe Strijen the Netherlands "NO MISTAKES NO PROGRESS"

01-25-2011, 11:11 AM	#6
Dark Knight Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pleak, Texas Posts: 420	Re: I just had a stupid/cool idea... Aww man... I just found an eBay member that sells them. http://stores.ebay.com/Crystal-Custom-Covers But $175. That's a lotta money for a set of valve covers. At least to me anyway. But, they're just so darn cool. I was thinking more of the whole thing being clear though. Then you could see the pushrods. Maybe if every engine had them, it would provoke people to change their oil regularly when they started to see sludge build up. __________________ -1967 Chevrolet Fleetside LWB- 350 V8 w/thumpr cam, NV3500, 3.08 gears, A/C, PS -1983 Chevy Silverado C1500- 383 stroker, TH400 -1989 Chevy Silverado K1500 SWB- 5.3L swap, 700R4, 3.42 gears -And a '66 Ford Mustang- 200 I6, C4 trans, rust bucket "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." -FDR (and maybe rust too) You've gotta be able to stop and steer before you can go fast!

01-25-2011, 12:26 PM	#7
basemodel67 Factory Strippers Rule! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shingle Springs, CA Posts: 707	Re: I just had a stupid/cool idea... I would want a set that were totally made out of the clear stuff. I know they make rear end covers out of lexan... so why not make 'em that way? __________________ "Feast your eyes on a feast of smoke." 67 Chevy Short Fleet PLAN: LQ9, 4L60, D60 Looking for School Bus Gauges - Help me out!

01-25-2011, 12:36 PM	#9
OhOneWS6 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 764	Re: I just had a stupid/cool idea... I think you are at least going to need a metal sealing surface or at the very least some kind of plate that would go around the sealing surface to stiffen it up. Jeep used a plastic valve cover for a few years. It leaked like a sieve. __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super 1/2 LWB White/Dark Yellow 07 Avalanche 2LT 74 Sleek Craft Rebel Jet Boat W/Pontiac 400

01-25-2011, 02:07 PM	#10
treveiger Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South Dakota Posts: 4,093	Re: I just had a stupid/cool idea... Those would be cool but itd be hard to see with the oil splasing on it wouldnt it? __________________ 1969 Chevy c20(Miss Hackjob)

01-25-2011, 03:34 PM	#12
ffk Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: lowell, in Posts: 271	Re: I just had a stupid/cool idea... my friend had a set of harley davidson rocker covers and a 18" -12" back wheel done on a custom chopper..they were made out of lexon....the wheel cost 12,000.00 rockers were 3000.00 ..we had a great time building this bike..it was bad ass.but the customer wanted a one off scoot ..i say dont waste your money.. __________________ my build thread -- (http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=438604)



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