Galvanized steel valve covers?
 

I have a set of staggered bolt valve covers sbc.They are galvanized steel instead of plain steel pans.Does anyone know what year they might be and why the different material was used?

Re: Galvanized steel valve covers?
 

The staggered bolt pattern was used from1955 thru early 1959.
I've never seen galvanized ones though!
And,I have several sets of them.
Can you post a picture?
Mike.:chevy:

Re: Galvanized steel valve covers?
 

If I can get my daughter to come over she con post picks.I am a old fart just able to post on this site! Hope she can come over tomorrow. What I want to do is use blue or orange Dykem metal dye to put atranslucient dye over the valve cover for a valve cover water pump desk lamp.Kinda like man cave art or steampunk stuff.

Re: Galvanized steel valve covers?
 

Totally agree to the galvanized covers. Never seen such but that doesn't mean they don't exist. Been playing with SBC's since early '70s and always willing to learn more. In for the pics of them. :chevy:

Re: Galvanized steel valve covers?
 

I'm going to take a WAG (That's a Wild A$$ Guess) that they may have been used on some Marine small blocks. I have no data and like I say, that's just a wag.

Re: Galvanized steel valve covers?
 

^^^ That's actually a GAG (Good). Or, maybe industrial use. I was going to make a goofy response saying those were for vehicles ordered with no hood to take the weather. Yeah, goofy.

Re: Galvanized steel valve covers?
 

I had a set about 30 years ago. I found that they were coated like that after I had them hot tanked. If I recall, I don't think they were actually galvanized. They may have been heavily tinned

Re: Galvanized steel valve covers?
 

Just a thought ,, I do know that the thin metal valve covers in the past would leak easily being so light weight ,, so maybe a coat of Galvanizing made it a stronger solid metal and not so much to leak when tightened down...

Re: Galvanized steel valve covers?
 

Daughter here! Sorry it took so long!
Here's a pic of the valve cover. Never seen one like it.
https://i.imgur.com/sLb9lTzl.jpg

Re: Galvanized steel valve covers?
 

Yep!That's galvanized!
We have a plant here that does galvanizing.
A guy I knew had his 55 Chevy frame done there!
I don't think it was offered by GM on the valve covers though.
Mike.:chevy:

Re: Galvanized steel valve covers?
 

I think Chevy made those for outside wall hangers. (actually, I have no good answer). Marine or industrial application seem to be the most logical answers...or someone had that done for reasons we can only speculate on. I sure do think you have something cool there, though

Re: Galvanized steel valve covers?
 

Those are very cool :metal: I would hang them on my man cave wall for sure. :5150:

Re: Galvanized steel valve covers?
 

Agree, don't think those are GM original galvanized but they sure are COOL. Shop/man cave items wall hangers for sure. :chevy:

Re: Galvanized steel valve covers?
 

Was the staggered bolt pattern a 265 only thing or was the 283s the same? I've owned a few heads like that over the years.

Very neat OP!

Re: Galvanized steel valve covers?
 

They were used on both(or all)
Chevy small blocks in that time period.
Mike.:chevy:

Re: Galvanized steel valve covers?
 

Now does anyone know where to get orange Dykem that I can put on them to let the pattern show through? I have blue Dykem but I think orange would look much better.

Re: Galvanized steel valve covers?
 

If I knew I wouldn't tell you :lol:. Those are too cool as they are IMO

Re: Galvanized steel valve covers?
 

OK Special K. You win ! The valve covers now have a coat of clear on them for a wall hanger! They will be mounted next a timing cover with a clock in the crank hole.Thanks for all the info and ideas.