Hey guys, I picked up a pair of valve covers from an estate sale about a few months back because the price was ridiculously cheap and they looked like they had never been used. I know for a fact that they won't fit an '87-up small block Chevy with centerbolt valve covers. The two mount holes are 11.5" on center. I'm not versed on y-blocks or any other vintage engine with center bolt valve covers. They are HEAVY and appear to be well made castings. There is a "Ken's Equipment" name that is cast on the underside of each cover. I have included pictures with dimensions. Any idea on exactly what they are would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!
Early Olds was my guess too but definitely just a guess. Those are really cool, can't be very many around anywhere. I definitely would have scooped those up, too.
I just measured and Olds are 10.5 on ctr. OP said his are 11.5 According to speedways site, nailhead covers are 21" long. Looks like these are less than 20. and they are Moon valve covers
I am pretty sure there were no aftermarket valve covers produced for the 2 bolt 49 cad. I looked long and hard when I was doing my Outlaw clone and I ended up doing what Roth did. I put Olds covers on it . I had to make adapter studs and I assume he did the same
Ken’s Equipment wasn’t a prolific parts producer. Mostly known for their smooth aluminum wheels that look like early Halibrands. Maybe they did a few 49 Cad VC’s before Cad changed the bolt pattern?
cad valve covers are 20 1/2 inches long. the covers here are 19 1/2. these covers look like Moon valve covers to me. I think maybe Kens was a foundry that produced for Moon? I know that Holmes did some for Moon too.... I read that the 49 cad 2 bolt covers had a bolt spacing of 14 inches
I remember seeing Ken's Equipment wheels on cars in HRM and maybe R&C years ago, but not very often. They were more race oriented and when I looked around on the 'net I found out that Ken Stansberry was a sprint car racer and he had a machine shop in Hawthorne, CA. He made aluminum wheels more directed to oval racing but they wound up on the street too. He also produced an in and out box that was said to be patterned after the CAE box. The photo credit goes to @32Auburn they are from a 2010 post of his. When I saw the wheels in print years ago they were mounted ribs out, but apparently Ken designed them to run dished side out. I guess valve covers were a natural with him having machining capability and experience with castings.
Stude is 13 5/8 roughly center to center no luck there. The rambler that looks like a slightly smaller stude might be the winner
Don't the Stude's bolt to late SBC heads though? https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/vortec-heads-and-studebaker-valve-covers.422661/
The Jalopy Journal
