Are there any cool valve covers for Vortec heads?

I just picked up a S10 cheap that Im going to pilage the drive train for my 51 fleetline, the owner says it has a 69 - 350 with vortec heads (?!). Im not a big fan of the centerbolt valvecovers, does anyone make anything that looks cool? Any benefit to changing over to earlier heads? or should I just smile an live with it?

Thanks guys!

 

http://66.154.44.164/forum/showthread.php?p=3183461

 

the performance aspect is worth the change... heads and intake picked my nephew up 3/4 second..... brandon

 

Thanks, maybe I shoulda done a search first

 

38pickup used Studebaker valve covers on his Vortec heads:



Malcolm

 

they make adapters to run the old style covers on the center bolt heads , check jegs , they have them

 

There is that company that makes the faux Olds Rocket valve covers for the center bolt heads, can't think of their name. Their ads are all over Rod & Custom and OSR mags I believe.

 

I can't help this but I have to do it. Fauxsmoburnoutfake****. I'm tired of seeing them, too obvious if you know what the surronding engine is supposed to look like.
All seriousness, if you're looking for out of the box stuff, the centerbolt to 1975 pattern adapters are the "wig" you're looking for. With those, the door is wide open on good ole standard SBC stuff, take your pick, even at a swap meet.

 

Some Vortec heads takes BOTH styles of valve covers. They came from the factory with the center bolt style but some have the old pattern drilled and tapped in the head ... check and see if yours are.

I believe these heads were over the counter replacements ... I have a set ... but got them second hand on a used engine.

 

are they gm or a aftermarket version like the rhs..? got a pair at the machine shop now ...never even looked at the bolt holes.... brandon

 

This may be true for some of them, but I love the way those gold Stude covers look on that motor above regardless of their origin.

 

Good hunting instead of gold chain. Imagineering. I agree with you.

 

Rpc has some finned valve covers that look pretty good

 

How well do the RPC covers seat?

I've seen these covers at swap meets..

 

I want to run some finned corvette valve covers. I decided to try and use the factory weak heads on my 283 so I could run them. I didn't know that I had viable options.

 

Mine are GM with a casting number. I forget the number but the heads are from Chevrolet. I think the casting number is #906 but I could be wrong. The guy I got the engine from said that the heads were bought over the counter at his Chevy dealership.

I also have two sets of Vortec Fastburn SBC aluminum heads with both patterns. They are #12464298

 

I've heard mixed reviews on the valve cover adaptors regarding leaks and such. The valve cover adaptors are pretty expensive too, it's like buying valve covers twice... or spending $100 so you can mount $20 steel valve covers. (?)

Here's a picture of my motor. Cheapy center bolt valve covers are from a swap meet, new in the box from a guy selling cheap chrome **** from Asia. I painted the space between the ribs and used acorn style nuts to hold'm down. I'm sure they are from China but they look ok. They might be the ones made by RPC.

 

That's pretty HazMat.

 

That's a good look.