VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1955-1957 COLOR OF SCRIPT ON VALVE COVER

WHAT IS THE CORRRCT COLOR OF "CHEVROLET" SCRIPT ON THE V8 VALVE COVER .

THANKS'TONY

Black for a 1955, silver for a 1956 and 1957.

what year did they quit painting the script on valve covers?
I worked in a chevy dealership back then and seen later ones without it,but not sure of the year.

I have assembly line pictures of 1959 283 engines and they have the painted script (silver)

I am pretty sure 58 was the last year of that process, I have never seen a 59 that had the valve cover scripts painted in photos, or any even remnants on originals with any trace of it. Bow Tie Ollie and I had researched this for some time a few years ago.
John

John, While I will agree that 1958 was the last year for the painted scripts the Chevrolet Tarrytown factory photos of 1959's during assembly plainly show the painted script. Either you or Olie sent me the info. ...I think it was Olie after I said 1958 was the last year.....after some discussion on another site.
Also I always said the iron Power Glide case was not painted and the case pictured looks very black.

The powerglides I saw were all black also, I do not remember that photo as being a 59, I could be wrong it has been some time. I do remember some photos but they were "test" engines so in that case all bets off because they were not regular production.

Gene,
This may be a case of production of test mules or pre-production models for testing. The first thought of all people is that "production line" photos are exactly that regular production. But a number of the next model year vehicles are produced in assembly plants so proving ground, crash and other testing can be done. I am sure that some of these vehicles were photographed on the line. If that were the case then the "correct" engine with valve cover paint likely would not be an item of attention.

These are not test engines. There are many engines lined up for installation on the lines. I do have test engine pictures that have unpainted scripts.

Any chance of seeing or where I can see that picture to refresh my memory? I was looking last night and could not find any 59 photos showing the valve covers with a stencil, then again it is hard to find any factory photos of a 57 with stenciled valve covers, most of those photos are plain.
John

John,
Do a goggle search - chevrolet tarrytown factory source. That should bringit up.
The new 1957 that I had had the silver. I had the valve covers untill just a few years ago. They had the air cleaner bracket welded on for the dual 4 Bbl air cleaner. I put the cast valve covers on the engine. I also have ,magazine road test pictures of 1955 and 1956 with the painted scripts. Also a VCCA member in Minn has an all original 1955 and the black is still on the scrips.

WOW,

Those pictures were amazing!!! Thanks for sharing the info on how to see them on the net.

Here is the link for anyone else who would like to see '59 pictures of this plant:

http://images.google.com/images?q=chevrolet+tarrytown+factory+source:life

Very cool indeed!

Wow! those are some great photos. Looks like they took all those shots for an article. Probably only selected a few for the article but kept them all and now put on the net. That is great stuff to help document small details and understand assembly techniques. Some of the film strips, movies and videos are also helpful.

I would use the pictures for an article but am not sure how to transfer the pictures to my files.

Also says "for personal use only, not for commercial use"????


I have see one or two of the pictures in published books.

I remember it now, now the Tarrytown plant used engines from Tonawanda NY, it is possible that Flint stopped the process. Also remember that there was a cylinder head change in January of 1959, that went to the later style valve covers, the process might have stopped with that, I don't know. I did not see a photo of that engine in 59 body so it is possible that those photos were taken during the 58 process, or it was very early in the 59 production. Tarrytown was one of the last plants to begin production and one of the last plants to shut down for re-tool. My 60 Impala was produced in the third week of August of 60 with a real high VIN. I had an Atlanta 1961 Biscayne that was produced in the second week of August 1960. There has to be a production overlap to check tooling. Regardless great photos.
John

In viewing bot sides of the valve covers they have the staggered bolts so would be early heads.

I love the engine paint on the exhaust manifolds! So I guess it is safe to say that the staggered valve covers in 59 could have been stenciled. I am surprised that there are no RED RAGTOPS! or any tri power engines. Because you would think those were the only 59's made. I was surprised to see a white over black sport coupe, never saw one and it looked good! I wish I had kept all of the two tone mouldings I had over the years.
John

I emailed the 1959 T.A.....see what Myron has to say.