I have an idea. Put ‘em on a car and use them! Too many of us have way too much cool shit hoarded, hanging on the wall or in display cabinets. I do....
There is so much truth in this^^^^^^^^^^ I am only 50ish and plan on another 50 through bad living and choices and have been cleaning house for a couple years now. Between my classic mountain bike stuff and my hot rod stuff there was just a ton I am not ever going to use or need! The clincher was helping my folks downsize for their next stint RVing. The amount of tools and extra crap in dads shop was amazing. He sold off a ton but I now have in my shop lubes, paint and fluids that go back to the 80s that have been moved back and forth across Sodak multiple times!
Well I have nothing to add that solves the mystery, but I have seen "RPM" SBC valve covers and thought "...what kinda cheap shit is this?" Later in time I might have seen a set at a swap meet, didn't need em and totally walked when they were staggered. The set I saw on an engine were straight as I recall but I wouldn't raise a rt hand to it. That said this really is a fun mystery and I'm sorry I missed the 1st go 'round about em.
If you picked them up, you would noticed how nicely they are casted... Far better than most in the 1950's and even 60's... I gotta think they were actually expensive?
This was a while back Ryan. At the swap meet I didn't examine them except to see the staggered pattern, and the hot ticket in those days were the yawn-fest Moroso tin and fabricated aluminums. Then I went BBC and actually ran stock chrome valve covers on B&B spacers to clear the standard fare Crane gold rockers. I name dropped all of that so you'd harken back to your days with the Camaro. ["Ryan now swoons upon his days of trans brakes and low 60' times"]
I seem to remember my father selling RPM stuff. He had a small parts house / speed shop from about 1964 until the mid 70's. Most of his speed stuff came from Don's Speed Shop in NJ. They were a pretty big wholesale speed supplier. Anyone have Don Raleigh's contact info? I know he was still alive and doing well pre Covid. I would see him a various swap meets.
Hi Ryan they look like Holmes MOON Chevy. I don't know how to send a link . Try googling them. I did read that RPM Heads did have special valve covers made for some customers in the early days.
Holmes "Moon" Holmes foundry cast early moon... Searching, I only came up with Holmes in Ontario Canada, cast engine blocks...
The "named engine" theory seems unlikely. Not only is that, as @Ryan pointed out, an excessively complicated labeling system, "torque" wouldn't fit in the gap in the fin without crowding the letters beyond the resolution of casting. So now we're talking about at least 2 different patterns just to make labels. I mean, the Sharpie has been around since 1964.
Dennis, yes of course everyone knows this, but what they left out of the official report was it was the SBC front engine dragster that these valve covers were on had showed up at the wrong airstrip that day and was blocking the run way that her plane was supposed to land on. LMFAO
I'm starting to wonder if those valve covers even exist...those guys over on the "photoshop thread" are pretty talented.
In the early 1960's M/T used aluminum Buicks which may have been sourced from Traco. They were around 255ci, which was the max cu. in. at that time for Indy competition. I owned engine marked JK no. 3 which was a spare for the James Kimberly entry. Neat engine, featured a cast magnesium front cover, dry sump, Hilborn, Traco rev kit and a Harmon-Collins magneto from a flathead Ford. Sold to an engine collector in Ohio. No real answers here, just an old memory.
Sigh...I think we were in denial, but deep down, we ALL knew you were responsible I guess the next stop for the valve covers is the Police Evidence Locker
Dons contact info off of his website got an email from him on Feb 11th. http://www.oilnspeed.com/contact.php
or you can get him here as he is also a Hamb member https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/members/5quart.10218/
I too am a sucker for the obsolete, arcane and any all around great mystery. Iv'e always been attracted to those projects that have a great history/mystery and lacking that, I simply make it up. Nothing pisses me off more than when I admire someones well-executed hot rod, and they proudly announce that they bought that way.
Actually I am ok with that. The fact that they would admit that they diden't build it tells me that they are honest and not trying to take creadit for something that they diden't build. There are those who will lie and take creadit for building a car that they have never done anything with but drive it. Not everyone has the skills to build the car of their dreams, that said, I consider myself extremely blessed!
So because somebody bought a finished car it is no longer well-executed and doesn't deserve admiration? It is still the same car as when it was built. Mick
For those who have " way too much cool shit ", there are some like me who don't have anything hoarded, hanging on the wall or in display cabinets. If you feel the need to eliminate some of that " cool shit " that is just taking up space, PM me and I'll be glad to help out with your problem.
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