A while back, one of the members here posted a really nice photo of the various 235/216 valve covers. I just did a search and for the life of me I can’t find it. Does anyone remember that post? I am pretty sure I have most if not all of the covers, now I want to try and date them, sort out colors for car and truck.
I have always appreciated Dave's submissions including that image. It is; however, missing one valve cover style. Early 1942+ 235 babbit engines had a valve cover much like the second to the left, but the oil fill hole is farther back near the acorn stud hole.
I will have to keep my eye out for one of those valve covers. So is the break down for the covers 37-41, 42, 43-48, or is it 37-48 with the 42 cover a one year variation mixed in?
The 235 valve cover I mentioned is not just from 1942, it was the same through the war and past including the first civilian 235 truck engines available in 1946. Was only on 235's. I think they existed past that but would have to defer to the sages...maybe to 1953?
I am attaching photos from a 1942, 1947, and 1954 parts books. It looks like the cover Paul mentions was an option for use in dusty conditions from 1937-48 on all models, except COE. Note, Chevrolet calls the breather “air cleaner “
I found a parts number match. The parts book image below is WW2 military. I also included an image from a military maintenance manual showing the "air cleaner" attached to the valve cover.
