I'm not sure this is the right forum, I received my 69 Z/28 aluminum valve covers from Rick's today and I'm not sure what I see. It looks as if these covers are/have been used. Almost like a guy went out and took them off his car and sent them to me. There are chips along the edges, what looks to be cracks around the grommet openings, and oil accummulated around the oil filler opening.

Does anybody here have these same covers on their cars? Do they have flaws on them? does that make them look more original?

What has your experiences been with Rick's?

I thought I'd get some good input from the experts, before I call Rick's and send them back.

Thanks

If they are were sold as new and they are in the condition you described, I would send them back.

You called Rick's about the problem and they told you what?

If you have a problem with a part sold to you, why not call the company/person/people who sold it to you and ask them to make it right?

I haven't called them yet! I'm telling you, it looks like they were chipped around the edges and it looks like they've been repaired or attempted

Hmmmm ... I just got me new Ricks' Catalog in the mail today. Let me see if they have those "stone washed" valve covers in there. :D

I have two sets of Z valve covers. One are from 69', and the others are "NOS" GM, which are still available through GM dealers new in the box.

The original set does,in fact have several casting flaws in them,which appear to be small hairline cracks. It is also common to have some imperfections along the edges. Remember,60's castings were not as uniform as they are today.

My "NOS", or new GM covers are without cracks,and are buffed to a mirror-like finish, Not "original" per se, but much more attractive. Not sure how the covers you have were represented, but if they were billed as original Z covers, then it sounds like thats what you've been sent.

Hope this helps....

I'm sure someone can correct me If I'm wrong but if they're original 69 Z covers they should not have drippers on the inside of the covers. Do these have them?

Bob, thanks for the input! If you look at it that way, I guess they will look more original???

I'm not dissing Rick's, as I've bought things from them before, I was a little shocked, but since I'm a novice restorer, I didn't know what to expect.

Rob, got my catalog last week, why I made a purchase!

Thanks gentlemen!

OK RSBECOOL, you got me, what are drippers?

I have opened several boxes of these covers before getting 2 good ones. They are '70 Z covers, are polished and have drippers and go for about $100 each. This was several years ago and Steve at Steves Camaros then said the good ones are getting fewer and farther between... Call Ricks and arrange to send them back and ask them to open and check so they can send you 2 good ones.

I think if you found a set of '69 Z valve covers NOS they would cost you a small fortune...

I agree with what Bob said. They arent perfect, and the new/NOS GMs are much better looking.

If they are in fact chipped and cracked, and have oil on them, then that would point to them being a used set. I know that Rick's deals in some used parts (or at least used to).

Rene, you are correct that the 69s shouldnt have the drippers. I dont recall if the newer GMs ones do, but I think so.

OK RSBECOOL, you got me, what are drippers?

If you turn your valve cover over and look in side of it and see nothing there but the back under side of your valve cover ... Then you do not have drippers. If you see other pieces in there, then you have drippers. Drippers help to lubricate the rockers.

Also, you may want to post a pic of your valve covers as you received them. Folks here will be able to tell right off by looking at them as to what you have.

A picture might help.

On the inside of the valve covers they should be smooth. If they have what looks like small tabs sticking out from the valve covers over where the rockers would be than they're drippers. The drippers would catch oil and allow the drips to fall on the rocker arms.

Dennis, what would you use to polish these things?

If you want an original appearance, they should not be polished but more of a satin finish.

If you want to polish them, bolt a buffing wheel to your bench grinder and have at it. A wetsand with 12-1500 before will do even better.

RSBECOOL, you're right, they do have drippers.

DanW, I would post a picture, but I'm not computer savvy, and right now I wouldn't even know how to do that yet. But I'm going to look into that.

Thanks for all of your help.