Lets see your finned valve covers, oil pans and accessories

[1963c-10]

I love the look of the finned covers. And have seen quite a few 60-66's that use finned covers. Have been working on my vintage Edelbrocks for awhile. Got stalled working on other things but putting the time in to complete them now.

Started with 4+ coats of various paints & primers. A lot of stripping, sanding and polishing. Have over 35 hours on the pass side cover alone, doing all the work by hand. Passenger side is done and will finish the driver side this weekend which so far I'm up to around 20 hours. A lot of imperfections in these old sand cast covers, but they are starting to look good. Some of the deeper scratches will remain. At the end of the day they are vintage and they have earned the scars they carry.

But looking forward to seeing what other finned covers you guys are running and the directions you went with paint / finish.

Couple of pics of before and after on my project.

[1963c-10]

These are the finned covers currently on the big block that I'll be removing once I finish the Edelbrocks.

[TJ's Chevy]

We 6 banger boys can join the club to. I have some finned accessories on my 292.

[1963c-10]

Thanks for the addition TJ. I really like the nostalgic look of the finned items.

I had looked at a vintage offy valve cover for my 230 before I decided which direction to go. There are a lot of finned accessories....side covers and oil filter covers being the most popular after the valve covers.

Your engine looks great!!!

Looked like the one in this pic

[markeb01]

Here's my early Corvette covers with no visible smog connections. The metal is in such poor condition they virtually cannot be polished, they were instead painted overall Krylon Dull Aluminum same as the intake manifold.

Not as eye catching as polished with paint in between the fins, but they are easy to keep clean!

[1963c-10]

Have always loved those early Vette SB covers. Timeless in my opinion.

[ibrown50]

I used a pair of old GM valve covers and sourced matching (ish) aftermarket air cleaner and breathers, I've agonised over painting inside the fins but not done it yet.

[1963c-10]

That engine looks great and I think the air cleaner is a perfect match to the valve covers.

Painting the fins is not that bad. What I do is all the sanding & buffing work 1st. This is where new covers would be nice and very much a time saver. But I wanted vintage so that required much more work. I just wasn't satisfied with the newer options when I was looking for finned covers.

I like to use a good degreaser and 600 grit in the valleys to give the paint something to adhere to.

Then I tape off the larger surfaces of the valve cover using the 1st fin as my tape line. I use engine paint personally with good results. I have heard of people using cherry chapstick also on the fins instead of taping each fin. The point of the cherry chapstick is you can see where its applied. Paint and then it'll wipe off. 90% of the people I've talked to that have done them say taping each fin is a PITA and would not do it again. But its a personal preference. This is just whats worked for me.

Once I've applied several coats and given them some time to dry I go back in with a clean soft cotton rag (normally an old shirt) and acetone. Carefully wiping off the paint from the top of the fins. Take your time as the Acetone will soften any other paint you do not want to remove. Toothpicks are another great tool here. And q-tips will help in hard to get places...I just dip them in the Acetone. Then I do my secondary colors (if applicable).

I have done several sets this way and always get great results.

I have seen guys use pin stripping tape also to mask each individual fin, but its more cost effective and time consuming in my opinion.

Couple of pics of my painting in progress

[ibrown50]

Your covers look fantastic and thanks for the advice, I must confess I was going to go the masking tape route I hadn't thought of acetone.

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by ibrown50

Your covers look fantastic and thanks for the advice, I must confess I was going to go the masking tape route I hadn't thought of acetone.

No problem at all and thanks for the compliments.

So.....maybe we'll see some color in those fins soon then? Keep us updated on the progress!!!!

The set I did in post 2 a few years back......the fins stop at the crest of the valve covers like yours. What I did was run tape across the bottom of the fins creating a nice flat line.

[chevy_mike]

A few of mine on some different vehicles





I have the Mercrusier lifter covers to match, that I haven't installed yet.

[1963c-10]

Nice. I like the crinkle black on the old Mercruiser valve cover. Saw one on ebay the other day looking at some stuff for a buddy.

My old edelbrock covers I'm working on would have been crinkle black also. Probably due to the imperfections in the castings. There are pits and scratches from the sand castings. I've worked out the minor flaws, but the larger ones will remain. It just is what it is. Thanks for sharing the pics!!!

[forestb]

mine

[Eric15chevys]

Cool thread and well timed. I was just looking at finned accessories.

[slepysal]

ok I'll play......

[1963c-10]

I like that they are equally as liked on the 6cyl engines as well. Its also nice to see such different varieties and painting options.

[LVPhotos]

400 small block. Daytona blue.

[bj383ss]

I have valve covers and oil pan. Will be getting a round air cleaner as well. I painted mine similar to how 63C10 except I wiped the fins off immediately after painting with a cotton cloth and lacquer thinner.

20150606_173038 by bjohnson388, on Flickr


20150101_142454 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

20150111_152040 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

20150104_122635 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

20150104_114357 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

20150101_140120 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

20150101_133444 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

Also have a set on my 383 in the Caprice. These were very easy to paint.

Caprice 003 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Thanks for the addition TJ. I really like the nostalgic look of the finned items.

I had looked at a vintage offy valve cover for my 230 before I decided which direction to go. There are a lot of finned accessories....side covers and oil filter covers being the most popular after the valve covers.

Your engine looks great!!!

Looked like the one in this pic

Thanks man! Yeah, I considered offy for a valve cover but it wasn't big enough nor would it clear roller rockers. lol I look back now and wish I got the finned valve cover from Tom. But, I like this one to...it was also more affordable. haha. But ah the detail blue in the fins really grows on me. Well...its Never to late to change valve covers.

[DANGBREG]

Wrinkle finished with fins. I didn't like the look of the finned air cleaner lids.

[kawecki]

Hey 1963c-10, I'm digging the chevrolet oil cap filler/plug in your covers. Where did you find it?

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by kawecki

Hey 1963c-10, I'm digging the chevrolet oil cap filler/plug in your covers. Where did you find it?

Its cast into the cover. Came that way from Edelbrock.

I had the hardest time finding a fill cap/ breather. Tried several different ones (5-6) and couldn't find any that would twist in and clear the fins. Then out of the blue I decided to try the original AC Delco FB7 that came off my old 230. Was a perfect fit. The breather was shot though, so I found a NOS replacement.

This is the breather I'll be running on the pass side. Will get an aluminum plug for the 2nd hole (haven't decided on the polished or the "oil" plug yet)and then PCV valve on the driver side valve cover.

[Eric15chevys]

Originally Posted by bj383ss

I have valve covers and oil pan. Will be getting a round air cleaner as well. I painted mine similar to how 63C10 except I wiped the fins off immediately after painting with a cotton cloth

BJ I love that color on your small block that is really clean looking

[1963c-10]

Looks really close to the original alpine green.

[Johnny Too Bad]

I've been debating on whether or not to add color between the fins (I'm leaning towards painting them red). Thanks for all the tips on which paint to use and how to do this.