12 Bolt Differential Cover - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**truckster** · 01-12-2024, 09:29 PM

I just installed my TrueTrac differential and I noticed the cover is pretty banged up. I've been trying to find a plain black cover, but it seems the stamped steel ones are all chromed and everything else is $100 and more.

Anyone know who sells stock-type 12 bolt covers?

**Getter-Done** · 01-12-2024, 09:47 PM

There was a thread just recently about this.

Here is a old one below.

The links in it may be helpful for new bolts and a gasket.

Because they were great Pics and comments.

I will keep hunting for the other link.

Link: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...rear+end+cover

**dmjlambert** · 01-12-2024, 10:10 PM

The best plain cover is an original stock cover. There's probably tons of them in people's junk piles because people replaced rusted ones with chrome ones. You know how many people love chrome. Post a want-to-buy ad in the parts section and see if that uncovers some stock ones.

**truckster** · 01-12-2024, 10:18 PM

Thanks. I've searched pretty exhaustively. I think no one makes them anymore. I might have to buy a chrome one and strip it.

**Jason Banks** · 01-12-2024, 10:25 PM

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335160280114

**HO455** · 01-12-2024, 10:54 PM

I've got a used one in the garage that I don't remember being damaged. Your welcome to it for the ride.

**Getter-Done** · 01-12-2024, 11:00 PM

Another Old Thread.

Link: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...352&highlight=

Just mentioned some of the same things.

**truckster** · 01-12-2024, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HO455

I've got a used one in the garage that I don't remember being damaged. Your welcome to it for the ride.

Thanks. PM sent.

**MikeB** · 01-13-2024, 04:31 PM

I hate that so many aftermarket stamped steel parts are chrome plated.

Brackets, master cylinder caps, breathers, and many more.

**70STOVEBOLT** · 01-14-2024, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeB

I hate that so many aftermarket stamped steel parts are chrome plated.

Brackets, master cylinder caps, breathers, and many more.

If there was a high quality chrome plated master cylinder cover, I would buy it. I hate that the zinc plated ones rust as soon as they are installed. Otherwise I agree with you.

**special-K** · 01-14-2024, 11:38 AM

Aftermarket chrome ones aren't as heavy, but if I couldn't find an OEM I would sandblast a chrome one and paint it black

**MikeB** · 01-14-2024, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70STOVEBOLT

If there was a high quality chrome plated master cylinder cover, I would buy it. I hate that the zinc plated ones rust as soon as they are installed. Otherwise I agree with you.

Yes, the gold-colored ones start corroding right away. Same with brake boosters. Someone once told me it has to do with the process and materials used, compared to how the manufacturers did it.

I used a Wilwood aluminum M/C on a car I used to have. Looked nice for years and worked very well.

The booster and cap on the right are around 2 years old, if that.

Wilwood aluminum on the left. Screw-on cap is nice too.

**70STOVEBOLT** · 01-14-2024, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeB

Yes, the gold-colored ones start corroding right away. Same with brake boosters. Someone once told me it has to do with the process and materials used, compared to how the manufacturers did it.

I used a Wilwood aluminum M/C on a car I used to have. Looked nice for years and worked very well.

The booster and cap on the right are around 2 years old, if that.

Wilwood aluminum on the left. Screw-on cap is nice too.

I clear coated my m/c and the cover. It looks decent, but the truck has not been driven since, so I don’t know how it will hold up.

**truckster** · 01-14-2024, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70STOVEBOLT

I clear coated my m/c and the cover. It looks decent, but the truck has not been driven since, so I don’t know how it will hold up.

I clear coated the gold-colored cover on my MC when I installed it three years ago. It still looks like new.

**MikeB** · 01-15-2024, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckster

I clear coated the gold-colored cover on my MC when I installed it three years ago. It still looks like new.

That's good to hear. I've used cast iron-colored paint on an M/C before and it held up fairly well. Problem is almost no paint likes brake fluid!

68Gold/white · 01-17-2024, 12:08 PM

I think the 12 rear ends last production was in 1982?

Still some in salvage yards........some

**HO455** · 01-28-2024, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckster

Thanks. PM sent.

I found the cover. It's pretty good but not pristine. A bit of time with a hammer and a oak round would clean it up pretty well. Let me know.

**truckster** · 01-28-2024, 10:02 PM

Looks good to me.

01-12-2024, 09:29 PM	#1
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,798	12 Bolt Differential Cover I just installed my TrueTrac differential and I noticed the cover is pretty banged up. I've been trying to find a plain black cover, but it seems the stamped steel ones are all chromed and everything else is $100 and more. Anyone know who sells stock-type 12 bolt covers? __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

01-12-2024, 09:47 PM	#2
Getter-Done Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: TN. Posts: 7,729	Re: 12 Bolt Differential Cover There was a thread just recently about this. Here is a old one below. The links in it may be helpful for new bolts and a gasket. Because they were great Pics and comments. I will keep hunting for the other link. Link: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...rear+end+cover __________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 84 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build

01-12-2024, 10:10 PM	#3
dmjlambert Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 3,571	Re: 12 Bolt Differential Cover The best plain cover is an original stock cover. There's probably tons of them in people's junk piles because people replaced rusted ones with chrome ones. You know how many people love chrome. Post a want-to-buy ad in the parts section and see if that uncovers some stock ones.

01-12-2024, 10:18 PM	#4
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,798	Re: 12 Bolt Differential Cover Thanks. I've searched pretty exhaustively. I think no one makes them anymore. I might have to buy a chrome one and strip it. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

01-12-2024, 10:25 PM	#5
Jason Banks Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TX Posts: 1,519	Re: 12 Bolt Differential Cover https://www.ebay.com/itm/335160280114

01-12-2024, 10:54 PM	#6
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 10,810	Re: 12 Bolt Differential Cover I've got a used one in the garage that I don't remember being damaged. Your welcome to it for the ride. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban the WMB,1991 S(stink)-10 Blazer,1969 GTO, 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird. 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

01-12-2024, 11:00 PM	#7
Getter-Done Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: TN. Posts: 7,729	Re: 12 Bolt Differential Cover Another Old Thread. Link: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...352&highlight= Just mentioned some of the same things. __________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 84 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build

01-13-2024, 04:31 PM	#9
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,425	Re: 12 Bolt Differential Cover I hate that so many aftermarket stamped steel parts are chrome plated. Brackets, master cylinder caps, breathers, and many more. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 34 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 23 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

01-14-2024, 11:38 AM	#11
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: 12 Bolt Differential Cover Aftermarket chrome ones aren't as heavy, but if I couldn't find an OEM I would sandblast a chrome one and paint it black __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 01-14-2024 at 02:38 PM.

01-17-2024, 12:08 PM	#16
68Gold/white Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ark City, Kansas Posts: 3,280	Re: 12 Bolt Differential Cover I think the 12 rear ends last production was in 1982? Still some in salvage yards........some

01-28-2024, 10:02 PM	#18
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,798	Re: 12 Bolt Differential Cover Looks good to me. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson



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