VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1961-1964 1964 Chevy 327/300HP Valve Covers

I traded my original Chevy valve covers for a set of Corvette finned Aluminum covers about 40 years ago…I have a few originals now I'm restoring. No decals, been repainted etc. I read some Chevy forum info that claims there is a left and right side and that the non-clipped one can be put on backwards creating tap from the lifters…never knew this…I know the one with the 2 clips (for temp sensor wire) goes on the driver's side (clips facing Carb) but I don't see any differences in the other side that says it goes one way or another…they claim there's a "C" on the side towards the Carb…I found that but still don't see any obvious differences on the RS one flange to the other??? Any input on this??? thx…Billu38

I think I answered my own question this morning…looked very closely all around the valve cover..both RS and LS….on the non-carb side the contour along the length of the cover has a slight amount MORE bow to it..never notice it if it wasn't pointed out! And the non-clip cover (RS) does have a "C" on the carb side flange…the clips on the driver's side are the ID for the carb side…but it too has more of a bowed contour on the non carb side…Forums I've read say the cover emblem for the non-clip RS is how you tell which way to put it on but if the emblem is missing….BEWARE!…got to look close!! Comments still welcomed...thx..Billu38

If valve covers are not on properly the rocker arms (on the push rod side) can sometimes rub the inside surface of the valve cover If you see some rubbing marks or maybe even a hole worn thru the metal they likely have been on wrong at sometime.

The C is there Bill. It's faint though.
Verne

Yup, I found the "C" on all the covers after I stripped the thick repaint off…Billu38

I have one valve cover that looks identical to the 64 cover except the triangular ramp that comes off the front and back of the center flat where the emblem goes is much shallower than the 64…is this a 62 cover? Billu38

Your right ,,,,2 styles of 37 VC

"37 VC"…???? Don't understand…please clarify..thx..Billu38

I talked to a guy today and he agreeded that the rocker arm (top) can hit the valve cover at high engine speeeds if cover is up-side-down. Also a 283 cover can not be used for the same reason.

Sorry 327, I ran out of "2s' for a while

Bill,
The 327 valve covers with the small triangle next to the decal were used in production through May '63. After that, they were all the large triangle.

Verne

From what I see, if I have 2 left side covers and I grind the clips off one I can use it for the right side with the "C" toward the carb and I should NOT have a problem..right? thx. BillU38

Verne, so all 62's and 63 thru May would use the one with the small triangle? thx..BillU38

Yep. That's what I've found from looking at lots of original cars.

Verne

Verne, is there a known reason for the production change?

"WE" keep talking about a "C" on the valve cover carb side BUT…..it's really an "O" if you look at them closely…there's a pair on e-bay and it shows it's clearly an "O"…whatever it stands for…the ones I have all look like "O" too…when it's close to the flange edge some of the "O" didn't imprint and it looks like a "C"..Billu38

John,
I've never seen an explanation for the change. I'd have to assume it was for structural support.

Verne

Well, here we go again…I bought a set of cover bolts and washers and now I suspect I bought the wrong ones! If you check E-bay item 390879243452 and compare to E-bay item 181335258374 you can see the difference….which is correct for a 64 327/300 (late 63 delivery)???…and what would the wrong one be for??? thx…Billu38

Neither of those are correct Bill. They should look like these.
Verne

Verne….isn't the 452 item like the one you show in the photo? thx..Bill

The "footballs" are correct but the bolts do not have the recessed heads.

Verne

They should have a TR on the head…right? thx..Billu38

Bill,
Look at the picture I posted. The bolts do not have a TR on them. It's hard to make out just what it is, but it's definitely not TR.
That photo is of an original '64 300hp built in late '63. And it's a Flint engine - the same as yours.

Verne

Gotcha Verne….I'm going to search for my original bolts….got them somewhere but not sure where! thx..Billu38