Projects Studebaker Covers on your Chevy - Fix that Belly Button

Thanks guys. I know it isn't an original idea, but these will look cool and be no issue to seal.

It was never my intent to fool anyone. I really wanted something not seen every day and choices for centerbolt chevys are few. Finned aluminum is safe, but it has been done many times. Even then, center bolts don't look right in the middle of the fins. These were cheap enough and I had fun.
Oh, and small block mopars have the same exhaust configuration, and AMC, and Pontiac, and Buik, and even some caddys...

I will add some engine pics when I get it together. The block and crank are at the machine shop now, so it might be a little while.

 

nice job!

 

hey thats an idea! anybody got any chevy valve covers?

 

Hiding your Chevy shame eh?

Nice tech and nice workmanship but...it's like a dyke with a strap on - faux is gay!

 

Very cool--Now I can run vortechs? Damnit! I just sunk a bunch of $$ into some 882's!

 

Scotty,
Very cool post.....another definition of innovative
Skot

 

The value of Studebaker valve covers just went up!

 

Yeah, they might be $50 a pair now - motor included.

 

Scotty, I think they are sofa king COOL! Let the Whineing continue!

 

know what the weird part of this story is? well, let me tell you! the last studebakers built were all from Canada and they all had chevy engines in them. my bud has a '66 lark with , what i assume, is a 283 in it. THE VALVECOVERS SAY "STUDEBAKER" ON THEM! i know they won't work for the above application, but thought it was interesting anyhow.

 

This is a Kool solution to the late model engine problem. Makes me want to put some stud valve covers on my old ladies 93 silverado just to throw people.

 

How far people will go to hide the sbc. If you are that ashamed of it don't open the hood.

 

It's not as bad by any stretch as those who put Corvette valve covers on their Target Master rebuilt 350 in their ride. I like the thought behind it, the craftsmanship, and the idea.

 

I don't believe I am hiding it when I share a cool piece of my own innovation with the community. Late model small chevys are no less traditional than those designed in 1953 for the 1955 model year. They were snagged for use in hot rods right away for their superior power output of the day and happen to have become the most popular engine ever used for a reason. This thread is about taking the high tech look out of the engine tin. Nothing more.
Flatheads and hemis are cool, but not practical for my intended use. I fully expect to drive this to work one day and to the track the next. Inexpensive, reliable power is my objective. A sbc is a tried and true way to get that.
If you are so narrow minded that you can only take a pot shot after reading this thread, crawl back in your hole. I've been around long enough that I don't have a thin skin, but the less than constructive posts have been out of control lately. If this isn't your thing, move on.

When I finish my humble project, I'll be glad to show my humility to all comers. If you think I'm cookie cutter, you haven't looked very closely at what I do.

For those with the kind words. It's much appreciated.
For the critics, What do you have to contribute?

 

A. Most of the stooges here wouldn't recognize a Stude motor if it bit them in the ass.
B Aftermarket does not support good looking valve covers.
C. There are no Studebaker decals on them.
Excellent fab and I would love to see the finished product. I wonder if you are a faker by putting a 32 grille on an A or a DeSoto grille on a Merc. I have no idea what fuels the valve cover hatred but get over it.

 

Nice job.

 

A quote from my favorite cartoon show SpongeBob Squarepants: "Rock on freaky bro!!"

I like the fact it doesnt look like every other Chevy motor out there, and like somebody already said the center bolt covers look like crap anyway. Now throw a windage tray on it and build a 2x4 intake and your "rockin on"!!

 

Well said Scotty!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing. I'm more than tired of the self proclaimed Hot Rod Nazi's shooting down folks sharing their ideas and innovations. I have my likes and dis-likes as all do but certainly don't run them down others throats. If the Hot Rod Gestapo would come up with the bucks, I'd gladly sell my uncorrect car to them and they could put a babbit banger six in it with correct paint and decals and right everything that's wrong in their world.

 

Keep it coming. I love the innovation and the thought process. A rat rodder would have just bolted it on and let the oilt seep out the sides and refilled the oil pan every time he stopped and untwisted his ignition wires (since he has no key).

 

Except he's not hiding any shame. There shouldn't be ANY shame. And it's gayness free...

Does it say Studebaker on it?

Is he trying to pass it off as having a Stude motor, like the people running the Olds fauxmobile covers, fake arduns, or fake hemi's?

No, it's just a generic looking (and good looking) center bolt valve cover.

If this is "gay", then so is EVERYONE who puts finned valve covers on a stock motor for the "look".

 

I think adapting a pair of no-name valve covers to any engine is cool. It's not like he's advertising that it's a different kind of engine. He just made his own valve covers, based on some other application. What's the big deal?
What's the difference between these and any other aftermarket (or Corvette script) valve cover on a SBC? I see no difference at all. It WOULD be different if the valve covers in question were Oldsmobile Rocket, Cadillac, or actually had the word Studebaker one them. Then people think they're seeing something they aren't. Sort of like false advertising.
But these are clean, vintage looking, and if you could buy a brand new, stamped no-name valve cover that looked like that--no recesses, no shapes, no ribs, with those broad '50s style curves--to bolt onto your late-model GM engine, who wouldn't?

I put a pair of chrome 327 valve covers and an edelbrock C3B with oil fill tube on my new crate motor. How is that different?

-Brad

 

I just threw some stock stude chrome ones on....

I'm crossing my fingers, that they don't leak.

 

Brush off the hate. I think they look good, and I have those same covers with a Stude motor underneath.

Good job.

 

He found a different valve cover that he liked better and used it, thats hot rodding. I dont see where he is trying to trick anyone. Some people, jeez.

 

When a good man takes the time to show us all something cool and he gets beat up.....he may not tell his good ideas next time. Think about that. I personally think it was a cool idea but further than that, the workmanship was very good and I learned something. To all the guys that are so critical, I say ....show us what you are doing now. Teach us something, or shut up. Thank you for your support.

 

Great idea and thanks for the tip. Why do you even bother answering the "I hate everything" crowd??? Yeah it is gay because you can think of a solution and have the skills to fabricate them. Everybody who posted how gay or dumb it is post up your work???

Hot Rodding has always been about backyard ingenuity and taking parts from different cars and putting them together. Put the Stude decals on it and enjoy the rewards from thinking outside the box and coming up with a cool idea that most will enjoy. Who gives a shit what somebody who has nothing better to do but draw attention to themselves on the internet has to say.

 

Amen!

 

Cool idea! Thanks for taking the time to photo your project and share it with us!

It's always easier to be a critic than a victim.

 

I take back what I said about the later "ribbed" Stude covers being a little Fugly. That looks good.

 

I now know what valve covers are going on the 350 that's headed for my Diamond T. Complete with the TBI, and an old oil bath air cleaner. Ha!