[zlek131]

Maybe I am being too picky which is entirely possible but here is the deal... I bought these Ansen valve covers on eBay. I paid $318 with shipping. They were listed as brand new. After getting them I think they may be used as I noticed grease marks around the bolt holes, scratches/blemishes that IMO shouldn't be there, etc (see pics). The seller claims that the grease marks are buffing compound that was never cleaned up and tells me that what I got is the best I will get from any new valve cover package. They are willing to fully refund my money and pay to ship them back. Am I being too picky? What would you do?

[SPARKY69]

matt, they look good on top of the motor for sure!!
all new products have some kinda flaw in them...you are the only one that will ever notice those flaws...
your call...bolt on and go..and no one will ever know..
or get new ones and sleep at night...lol
that pic needs to go on the big block thread below!!

[Tom P]

Matt, I've got a few sets of Ansen VC's. The ones I bought from my 396 had to be sent back the casting was so bad. The second set was good, as was the polishing.

The new "496" VC's I picked up are painted and the casting is good.
I guess its hit or miss with them. They claim everything is made here in the USA, but QC needs some help.

On the polishing grease, I've seen left over polishing compound left in hard to reach spots, but they should have that cleaned up prior to shipping, thats just sloppy.

[Vintage 68]

I agree with them that the "oil" in those corners is just left over compond

Maybe I'm just not a 'picky' or something - but, I think they look fine.
I'd just repolish by hand with a good compound, do a final wipe-down with Corn-Starch and bolt them on.
You're gonna get plenty of chances to continuously 'improve' the polishing every few months for years anyway

[prostreet69camaro]

Matt,

I bought a set of Billet Specialites and they had small blemishes in them. Unless you buy billet aluminum,, then you might not have any blemishes. All the other valve covers are cast aluminum then polished.

They do look good on your motor.

You will get tired of polishing them and the next best thing is to have them chromed. Believe me I know because I have polished aluminum all over my motor.

[zlek131]

Based on what the seller is telling me, Ansen went through some sort of big re-org recently. I can live with the minor defects as long as they are new. Key word being NEW as I don't feel right paying that kind of money for something that is used.

[68 Ragtop]

Kind of depends.
Are you going to drive the car, or just roll it on and off the trailer at shows?
And what photographic technique are you doing to your engine picture that gives it that fakey/fuzzy look?

[zlek131]

Originally Posted by 68 Ragtop

Kind of depends.
Are you going to drive the car, or just roll it on and off the trailer at shows?
And what photographic technique are you doing to your engine picture that gives it that fakey/fuzzy look?

She ain't no trailer Queen, I drive her like she was built to be driven. The photochop technique is where you duplicate the original layer (or picture) and end up with two layers. You then "erase out" the motor from one layer and blur the remains of that layer. You then stack the erased/blurred layer on top of the other layer that you haven't done anything to. The effect is a blurred layer showing the original layer via that part that has been cut out. Believe it or not, I learned this from another TC member...

[zlek131]

Based on the comments, I've decided to keep them. Thanks everyone.

[Everett#2390]

Good choice, 'cause if you didn't really want them, I was going to offer to take the 'second' engine, as in cosmetic defects, off your hands to avoid a disposal fee..........