NOS 62 409 valve covers

[Phil Reed]

Part of a bunch of parts we were able to buy this spring, was this set of NOS valve covers!!! I had only seen one set ever and this is the first chance I've ever had to own a pair.

I know back about 3 months ago, Fran was asking about the "correct color" that was used in 1962. Both of these are in their original boxes. I'm going to try to find a paint store that can scan these on their computor to analize for me. We can't ship paint anymore UPS, so if anyone wants a pint or quart, let me know and I'll try to have some here for the convention.

While these are painted the 62 color, they are not drippers. Also, the instructions show putting the "4 tab" spark plug wire loom in the center of the valve cover...which would be the truck application. Also, I have another valve cover which appears to be NOS and has this same color....and it's a 1958 348 valve cover!! Can't figure that one out. But the time the 62 color was in production, I would have thought that the 58 valve cover had long been discontinued. Kinda makes you go "hhhhmmmmmmmmm".

Just thought I'd pass along this info........

Phil

[Tom Kochtanek]

Phil:

Generally my pints are filled with micro-brewery products, but I'd like a pint of that color when you get some mixed up.

I'm going with Moon covers for this current build, as I suspect conventional valve covers, certainly the dripper variety, won't fit over my valve train atop the stroker. But the next 409 build will be more conventional, and will be built specifically for the '62, so I will need that color :)

Thanks!

TomK

[62Belair409]

Regarding those valve covers, I saw those in person at Phil's place 2 weeks ago and they definteley have a green (olive) hue to them. In order to see them I had to help Phil and Brad push a 64 Imp up a hill and into his shop. (price of admission) :rofl

Dave

[Fran Preve]

:eek: Is it POSSIBLE that I was r----r-------r----right all along?. Please oh please oh please don't tell RICHARD!.

[MK IISS]

Fran: Sorry, but I don't see any stinkin' green tint in the photos of Phil's valve covers. Look just plain silver to me. They look the same to me as the 62s did when I saw them new. Must be my eyes. I do agree that many of the restored 409s I see today have valve covers with a very obvious green tint, much more than these photos and much more than the original cars I saw when they were new. I still maintain that with the effect of age and heat the slight green tint (which my eyes can't pick up for some reason) became much more pronounced. The Chevy orange paint on some engines changed color also. Became much more red in color. I also believe you see green in everything. I think this is caused by your frequent opening of your wallet and counting your money. I noticed you kept doing that when we met at Shoney's.

[Fran Preve]

:cool: Whooops, where was I,???? I was side tracked watching zig zag, never mind, if your trying to say I'm CHEAP, your r------r-------r------RIGHT!. That said, the green came from the gloss added to the silver because a plain silver would discolor quickly. Absolutely, Chevy orange was a bright orange when applied but engine heat quickly changed the hue. Some touch up engine enamal takes that into account and is a darker orange so it "blends" in. The BEST Chevy engine orange I have found in quality and durability is that sold by Bill Hirsh in Hemmings.