what I would like to find out is, there were valve covers that were identicial to the valve covers used on the 69 Z's & the early LT-1 350's, except they were painted black, they were used on late 70's & early 80's L-82 350 Vette motors. What I need to know were they painted black or were they powdercoated, & can it be removed & get the valve cover to look like the polished ones.
thanks in advance.

It's not powder coated and is a painted on finish. I forget exactly what paint it is but it's tough as nails. I bought a pair of the vette ones (black) and saoked them in Carb Cleaner for a weekend before taking a polisher to them to strip them down and then polish them. It was way more trouble than it's worth and I would recommend you buy a set. They are still available through GM in a polished version but may need the drippers removed. If you want the original dull looking ones like the z's have, then check eBay as they come up from time to time.

There are 4 variations of the 7 fin SBC covers.

The 69 only version was an "as cast" finish and did not have the drippers on the inside of the covers. They were used on the Z/28 and the L-46 350/350 Corvette engine only.

The 70 and up versions were polished finish and had drippers added to the inside to improve rocker arm lubrication. These covers were used on the Z/28 and the top of the line Vette small block LT-1. These are still available from GM. They look great on many other cars but they were not originaly equipped with them.


I forget the exact year but the covers were changed to black finish aluminum during the late 70's.

The last version were actualy cast from magnesium instead of aluminum and they were also black finished.

-Mark.

78-82 corvettes had the black finish.

I don't think they were available for the Z-28 during those years. ***Edited to remove ad for parts***

[ 01-27-2004, 05:48 AM: Message edited by: DjD ]

!970 Z28 Covers were NOT polished, they have the same finish as 69 covers. The covers on my 6,000 mile 70 Z28 motor are identical to my 42,000 mile Survivor 69RSZ28, except that they have drippers.
Both motors have "M" Bolts to retain the covers.
GM started painting the covers Black for 78-82 Corvette. These covers also DO NOT have the outer valve cover gskt retaining lip. Hope this helps.