Valve Covers

[Collin]

My stock 383 valve covers are pitted and beyond repair. Trying to find another pair on the ebay or something. Is 69 a specific year for valve covers, or will stock 70 covers fit as well. They look very similar, but there may be a whole lot that I am missing.

 

[meepbeep69]

The 68 and 69 are the same. The 70 is different. They will work though. PCV placement different, breather cap versus cap etc.

 

[solid gold]

Keep looking on E-Bay. They come and they go.When I was looking for a set, there was none on auction. Then after I overpaid for a set that was supposed to be" ready for paint", (as you can see they weren't),there must have 4 sets on the bay! I have a decent set of 70 covers, (taken off my 383) , but they wouldn't be correct for your car, although they will fit. I would try to get the 69 covers, if you can. Happy Hunting!

 

[A31PKG]

The 68 and 69 are the same. The 70 is different. They will work though. PCV placement different, breather cap versus cap etc.

68 & 69 are NOT the same...68's have the bracket/pedestal for the heater hose retainer (& a/c lines-if equipped) spot welded on the passenger side cover... Not sure about the 70 HP valve covers being the same as 69 ?

 

[meepbeep69]

Awe crud. That means those 68's on my factory warranty block won't look right. A 31 is it just the brackets that are different on the passenger side?

That is my donor block. Or are they 69's on there? Anything is possible over the last 41 years.

 

[A31PKG]

Awe crud. That means those 68's on my factory warranty block won't look right. A 31 is it just the brackets that are different on the passenger side?

That is my donor block. Or are they 69's on there? Anything is possible over the last 41 years.

Those appear correct for 69...I've attached a couple of pics (that I stole from Clark Classic Restorations) of the 440 of a very nicely restored 68 Coronet R/T (same configuration as our beloved 383's)... these two pics illustrate the heater hose pedestal deal...I might add that I believe the retaining clamp they are using (in the upper pic) is for an A/C application...non A/C cars have a smaller (shorter) clamp....This is just my opinion based on my own research...Both styles can be purchased from a variety of vendors...

 

[ACME A12]

Here's a pic of the correct valve covers for a '69 HP 383 or 440 - just scroll down:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3035&p=34952&hilit=valve+covers#p34952

Ray

 

[Collin]

If I have the engine shop dip and strip the valve covers, any chance I could use a bondo on them? There is some pitting, but thats about it....

 

[meepbeep69]

I have some brackets that were painted black that have a little fill and then built up primer. It should work as long as it is thin and prepped properly.

 

[Big John]

A little fill in the pits won't hurt. Worst thing that would happen is you have to pull off the valve covers and redo them or find others.

The important part is you find the configuration of where the PCV, oil fill and breather are. There are different versions used in C-bodies that will only need to have a bracket or two removed.