The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Offset valve cover for '55 heads

Hi, I am trying to find valve cover gaskets and possibly steel covers for 1955 Power Pack heads. The bolt holes are offset/staggered.

I can find a couple of cork versions, but I would really prefer nice ones with steel inserts and rubber/poly... whatever. :-)

I've spent hours googling, and my eyes are crossed. ugh.... Anybody know where I might find some?

Husker -

I just found you yesterday (the hard way) about the staggered valve cover bolt holes. I picked up a set of chrome valve covers at a swap meet, cleaned them up, and they didn't fit for just that reason.

As far as valve covers themselves go, I think you'll be stuck using original steel ones.

I got my gaskets at Napa...I just asked for gaskets for a 1975 350. The ones they gave me were some kind of black stiff rubber, and they were set up to fit either the early offset holes or the straight holes. I think they were $10, Fel-Pro.

Chris

The offset-hole heads were used from 55 through 59, and there were some aftermarket cast aluminum covers made by various manufacturers such as Offenhauser, etc. There are also some very pricey original-equipment Corvette script cast aluminum covers still around. It used to be hard to give away a set of offset-hole covers - - - -now they're a hot item for original-condition restorers!
Jerry

Thanks, Chris and Jerry. I found probably the same Fel-Pro black rubber gasket at www.rockauto.com that you got at Napa, Chris. Hope it works well.

And I did find a set a triple-dipped chrome covers off ebay. They have the breather ports, so I'll be good to go with those. :-) Jerry, actually what I am taking off is a set of the cast aluminum "corvette" covers. Maybe I'll stick them in the swap meet section when I'm done changing them out.

Thanks!

You'll probably get a better response by putting them on Epay- - - -a bunch of old truck restorers won't have much use for them, as they only fit original-equipment V-8 heads from passenger car engines from over 50 years ago, and they would only be of any real use to someone who is restoring a Corvette with a period-correct engine. To the right collector, they would be worth some big dollars, though.
Jerry