Valve cover identification

**SS427** · #1 07-16-2003, 04:21 AM

William,
Not doubting you as valve covers seem to be one of the most elusive items out there to indentify correctly and I have not found a real good source to help. I wonder if Corvettes were different with regards to drippers as far as hydraulics vs solids. I have owned at least 10 '67-69 SS427 Impalas and not one came without drippers. The attached photo shows a set off a '67 SS427 427/385 hp. The covers appear to be virtually identical but with drippers. I have 3 sets of these and they are all the same. The others in the pictures are Chevelles. I started my restoration career in 1979 restoring Corvettes for Corvette Specialties but unfortunately, I do not remember well enough what those covers looked like.
Rick

Keith Tedford · #2 07-16-2003, 01:04 PM

Try www.cranescorvette.com/corvette_holley_carburetor_carbs.htm They have quite a few pictures of various valve covers along with some explanations. Might help.

**SS427** · #3 07-16-2003, 01:21 PM

Thanks Keith. I have not been to Cranes web page for quite awhile and was not aware they had these shown. Nice information.

Interesting they too say high perf have drippers and low perf do not. I honestly do not recall owning a BB (well over 50) that did not have drippers. I have an original non molested '68 396/325 complete engine in my shop right now with dripper valve covers on them. Of all the covers in my collection, mostly from swap meets, only the repops are dripperless. Guess you just never know. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]
Rick

**JRSully** · #4 07-16-2003, 07:35 PM

would not having drippers in the valve covers damage a solid lifter engine in any way. ie; aftermarket covers.??

Keith Tedford · #5 07-17-2003, 02:23 AM

The drippers just deflect a little more oil onto the rocker ball which needs lots of oil for lubrication and cooling. I have some black GM valve covers and they don't have the drippers. All the 396 Chevelles and Beaumonts that I have had over the years, had the dripper valve covers. They were L34, L35, and L78. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

**Salvatore** · #6 07-17-2003, 02:28 AM

Originally the 1969 Z/28 (solid lifters) came with non-dripper valve covers. They changed to dripper covers a little later on. I don't think it really did anything. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]

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