I have wanted to swap out the valve cover on my rebuilt 235 c.i. engine (out of a 1955 2nd series truck) with a 216 c.i. valve cover for several years. I simply like the look of the 216 valve cover. After 10,000 miles together since getting the truck and engine back on the road again in 2009, it was time for a change.
In 2012 I located a nice 216 valve cover from a V.C.C.A. member in Michigan, cleaned and painted it, then lettered it using a vinyl stencil provided to me by a fellow Stovebolter from Florida. This fully prepped valve cover sat that way on a shelf in the pole barn for a few years.
This past November a fellow Stovebolter from Texas loaned me one of his u-shaped brass hold-down brackets. I then had a pair of the brackets freshly casted by a small local foundry. A talented local metal worker then fabricated the steel band like original. For a finishing touch, I was able to source a pair of reproduction nuts from a fellow hobbyist in California.
The old 235 gasket was removed, the head carefully cleaned and prepped, and a new “early 216” cork gasket from Chevs of the 40s was installed. Everything fit together like a glove. No leaky oil has been noticed with this valve cover swap out as I take it through its paces around Ogemaw County. The engine continues to run like an old sewing machine. It is a breeze to start, and idles down very smoothly. It cruises sweetly 55-60 mph. I am blessed to have such a nice performing engine. This new look valve cover has become a conversation starter when the engine bay is viewed.
The rare original aftermarket parts were produced back in their day to help seal the 216 valve cover against leaks. The acorn nuts used were commonly overtightened, causing the valve cover to flare out. Charles A. Wefing of Denver, Colorado came up with this design. His branding can be seen on an original band. Jim Carter posted a write-up on his website pertaining to this rare set of parts.
