55.2-59 283 Valve covers - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ApacheProject · 06-29-2022, 01:54 PM

I installed a new edlebrock 4 bbl intake on my 58 with 283 engine. I’m having a hard time finding new valve covers that fit the staggered bolt pattern. Prefer cast aluminum with fins/ holes for breather and oil cap. Anyone know where to find such a thing?

**Rickysnickers** · 06-29-2022, 02:26 PM

Messing around, you are right. Those are a little hard to find and they are expensive when you find them! Maybe this might be an option for you though, https://www.amazon.com/1960up-Stagge.../dp/B011IVI9R0

mr48chev · 06-29-2022, 07:19 PM

Does your intake have the provision for the oil filler tube/breather cap? That will dictate if you can run the old style valve covers like the staggered pattern Corvette or have to have the oil fill/breather cap in the valve cover.

Here's a set that the they screwed up by drilling holes for those race car breathers. For someone who could weld aluminum and polish it they might be a deal https://www.ebay.com/itm/29505170081...wAAOSwKZligq~p

Those 7 fin valve covers are about as traditional as you can get. The local dealer used to keep about three sets of Corvette valve covers on the parts shelf all the time in the 60's both staggered and the later ones.

If you have a swap meet in your area you might hunt for a set of custom covers for the staggered pattern there. Prices vary depending on who is selling them but Edelbrock and Offenhauser made them along with others.

fauXGT · 06-29-2022, 10:37 PM

mr48chev has given the correct answers.
I'm going for the old retro look, but on a 350 block. I've gotten in the oil filler on the Edelbrock intake and the straight bolt hole retro steel stamped valve covers. Your heads do have the staggered valve covers, which are pretty rare to find, especially in aluminum. That adapter, then using valve covers with oil filler might be the easiest to find if your new intake has no oil filler tube.

mr48chev · 06-30-2022, 12:06 PM

My buddy had a pair of what were probably Cal Custom finned valve covers hanging on the wall in his shop for years that had the staggered pattern. I think they were one of the first things that sold when they had their moving sale and sold off all of his stuff. He had those and several old sets of big block valve covers as he was really into big blocks.

**joedoh** · 06-30-2022, 12:31 PM

look for 265 valve covers not just 283, you might have more luck. the earliest v8 was the 265 and had the staggered pattern.

i caught an ad for some aluminum 265 vette valve covers on the list of craig for $50! I was the first to call and after some careful questioning, do i know what year these came on, do i know what motor these fit, etc, he invited me out to pick them up. he had an all original 55 vette with a 327 he just installed and the original 265 on the stand with the factory stamped steel corvette valve covers. beautiful car and I understood why he was being careful about coming to his house. he had a 67 camaro and a 51 ford f1, everything was super well kept and original (except the 327 in the vette)

edit: first google link, steel, but i bet more searching will find aluminum

https://www.jegs.com/i/RPC/707/R9214/10002/-1

mr48chev · 06-30-2022, 03:46 PM

The chrome steel ones are out there but decent looking aluminum ones are hard to find.

I don't blame the guy for being a bit shy of wanting people he isn't familiar with to show up at his home these days. With small items I have buyers meet me at my friend's gas station in town. It's easier to find than my place and keeps some people from wanting to snoop around my place.

mr48chev · 07-13-2022, 12:34 PM

This guy has a set of staggered bolt corvette covers but he is selling a set of adapters to fasten them to later heads with them. https://www.facebook.com/commerce/li...are_attachment

**Dan in Pasadena** · 07-13-2022, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApacheProject

I installed a new edlebrock 4 bbl intake on my 58 with 283 engine. I’m having a hard time finding new valve covers that fit the staggered bolt pattern. Prefer cast aluminum with fins/ holes for breather and oil cap. Anyone know where to find such a thing?

Here you go:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/18526968772...Bk9SR66asqK_YA

Take them to a local machinist to have the breather/filler holes milled.

ApacheProject · 07-20-2022, 01:14 AM

Thanks for all the info, I really like the finned covers.

mr48chev · 07-20-2022, 01:52 AM

If you aren't in a hurry hunt the swap meets.

57tailgater · 08-05-2022, 03:11 PM

How about these? No breather holes but you can probably figure out something. Pretty good price too.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...s-sbc.1243349/
or these: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...overs.1259056/

06-29-2022, 01:54 PM	#1
ApacheProject Registered User Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 53	283 Valve covers I installed a new edlebrock 4 bbl intake on my 58 with 283 engine. I’m having a hard time finding new valve covers that fit the staggered bolt pattern. Prefer cast aluminum with fins/ holes for breather and oil cap. Anyone know where to find such a thing?

06-29-2022, 02:26 PM	#2
Rickysnickers Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Eagle, ID Posts: 2,931	Re: 283 Valve covers Messing around, you are right. Those are a little hard to find and they are expensive when you find them! Maybe this might be an option for you though, https://www.amazon.com/1960up-Stagge.../dp/B011IVI9R0

06-29-2022, 07:19 PM	#3
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,266	Re: 283 Valve covers Does your intake have the provision for the oil filler tube/breather cap? That will dictate if you can run the old style valve covers like the staggered pattern Corvette or have to have the oil fill/breather cap in the valve cover. Here's a set that the they screwed up by drilling holes for those race car breathers. For someone who could weld aluminum and polish it they might be a deal https://www.ebay.com/itm/29505170081...wAAOSwKZligq~p Those 7 fin valve covers are about as traditional as you can get. The local dealer used to keep about three sets of Corvette valve covers on the parts shelf all the time in the 60's both staggered and the later ones. If you have a swap meet in your area you might hunt for a set of custom covers for the staggered pattern there. Prices vary depending on who is selling them but Edelbrock and Offenhauser made them along with others. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around. Last edited by mr48chev; 06-29-2022 at 07:31 PM.

06-29-2022, 10:37 PM	#4
fauXGT Registered User Join Date: May 2021 Location: Spokane, Wa Posts: 217	Re: 283 Valve covers mr48chev has given the correct answers. I'm going for the old retro look, but on a 350 block. I've gotten in the oil filler on the Edelbrock intake and the straight bolt hole retro steel stamped valve covers. Your heads do have the staggered valve covers, which are pretty rare to find, especially in aluminum. That adapter, then using valve covers with oil filler might be the easiest to find if your new intake has no oil filler tube. __________________ '51 Chevy 3600 5 window C4 Vette front/rear suspension with drive train full Rusto-Mod '92 GMC Sonoma GT VIN #0015 '91 GMC Sonoma GT extended cab 1 of 1 .....and more trucks

06-30-2022, 12:06 PM	#5
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,266	Re: 283 Valve covers My buddy had a pair of what were probably Cal Custom finned valve covers hanging on the wall in his shop for years that had the staggered pattern. I think they were one of the first things that sold when they had their moving sale and sold off all of his stuff. He had those and several old sets of big block valve covers as he was really into big blocks. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

06-30-2022, 12:31 PM	#6
joedoh Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Doodah Kansas Posts: 7,746	Re: 283 Valve covers look for 265 valve covers not just 283, you might have more luck. the earliest v8 was the 265 and had the staggered pattern. i caught an ad for some aluminum 265 vette valve covers on the list of craig for $50! I was the first to call and after some careful questioning, do i know what year these came on, do i know what motor these fit, etc, he invited me out to pick them up. he had an all original 55 vette with a 327 he just installed and the original 265 on the stand with the factory stamped steel corvette valve covers. beautiful car and I understood why he was being careful about coming to his house. he had a 67 camaro and a 51 ford f1, everything was super well kept and original (except the 327 in the vette) edit: first google link, steel, but i bet more searching will find aluminum https://www.jegs.com/i/RPC/707/R9214/10002/-1 __________________ the mass of men live lives of quiet desperation if there is a problem, I can have it. new project WAYNE http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=844393 Last edited by joedoh; 06-30-2022 at 12:41 PM.

06-30-2022, 03:46 PM	#7
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,266	Re: 283 Valve covers The chrome steel ones are out there but decent looking aluminum ones are hard to find. I don't blame the guy for being a bit shy of wanting people he isn't familiar with to show up at his home these days. With small items I have buyers meet me at my friend's gas station in town. It's easier to find than my place and keeps some people from wanting to snoop around my place. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

07-13-2022, 12:34 PM	#8
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,266	Re: 283 Valve covers This guy has a set of staggered bolt corvette covers but he is selling a set of adapters to fasten them to later heads with them. https://www.facebook.com/commerce/li...are_attachment __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

07-20-2022, 01:14 AM	#10
ApacheProject Registered User Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 53	Re: 283 Valve covers Thanks for all the info, I really like the finned covers.

07-20-2022, 01:52 AM	#11
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,266	Re: 283 Valve covers If you aren't in a hurry hunt the swap meets. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

08-05-2022, 03:11 PM	#12
57tailgater Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Middle Georgia Posts: 287	Re: 283 Valve covers How about these? No breather holes but you can probably figure out something. Pretty good price too. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...s-sbc.1243349/ or these: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...overs.1259056/



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