View Full Version : Valve covers on ebay
SS454
03-07-2003, 12:39 PM
I do not remeber seeing these on any cars from the factory?
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif
Rick
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2405563522&category=33 627
I have been watching these valve covers sell on ebay by a few different people. Some advertise them as original Yenko, Nickey, Motion, etc., valve covers and some have even machined the logo into the rectangle in the middle of the valve cover. I have never seem them used on Yenkos or Nickeys but they are like the ones Motion used in the 70s. There are a few differences with the old ones and these new ones. These valve covers were hard to find at one time but they started making them again and now sell for about $100.00 new. The ebay ones sometimes go over $300.00 but I don't know if they are real buyers or shill bidders. IMO
Stefano
03-07-2003, 02:08 PM
The Nickey, Motion and Yenko Logos I have seen on some of the latest auctions, for these valve covers are very cool.
hvychev
03-07-2003, 04:51 PM
Joe I bought a set of those valve covers on e-bay a couple of months ago. I paid about $275 for them. The seller assured me that they are period and not repops. At the time I was bidding on these covers their were a few sets at that time but these ones got a lot of action. Mine are pretty heavy and look old. Here is a pic of them. I don't know if you will be able to see them to closely but I could take a different pic and e-mail it to you. Are they repops?
http://216.136.200.194/auction/Mar/2003377115352030147956.jpg
whitetop
03-07-2003, 05:01 PM
Frank
I have had in the past NOS Cal Custom & M/T valve covers that were from the '60'early '70's. Even though new and boxed up, from age, they oxidize and loose their shine somewhat and become duller. Yours looks a little too shiney. Also, if that is the box from the manufacturer, based upon the box's condition the covers are not that old. Probably 2-8 years old. The NOS Cal Custom box also had white cardboard and it was severely yellowed. I bought a set from CP 3-4 years ago and the box looks identical to yours:(
There is a guy on ebay selling the Sunpro chrome gauge cups and he is getting $25-40 a pop or $44 buy it now. Every couple weeks he will list 3-4 cups. You can go to the Sunpro website and by them direct for $13.99 each-which is probably what he is doing.
Those early style Lakewood ladder bars look like the ones you got off of me. They look good painted up. Of course if you want them to look like they came from Lakewoood you should of thrown alot of dirt into the paint, missed areas and have lots of runs.
hvychev
03-07-2003, 05:44 PM
Dave here is another pic of the covers. They are not as nearly as shiney as that pic. They do look a little oxidized. Look at how shiney the fly eye air cleaner came out. That isn't nearly as shiney either. I don't know if the box that the covers came in is the right one. It has a 427 stamp on it and on the end has dimensions of the box itself. It has blue print on that same end that says Mercury DTE & Container Co. Al Hambra Ca. (I think that is what it says.) The seller was from La Habra Ca.
BTW after blasting the Lakewood bars they came out awesome! I think they do have a couple of runs in them. The hardware kit that you see was from Mr. Gasket Co. and is an exact match. It ran about $75. Thanks again.
http://216.136.200.194/auction/Mar/2003377572429666573179.jpg
69L89396
03-07-2003, 06:23 PM
A friend of mine has a set on Ebay right now.
Here is the link
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2406196167&categor
whitetop
03-07-2003, 06:36 PM
Frank
My personal gut feeling is they are repops based upon the decals. I don't think CP put decals in their originals. I betcha in the next few months you will see alot more of these pop up on ebay.
MadMike
03-07-2003, 06:48 PM
For reference purposes, I offer what a set of real (motion) valve covers look like:
http://www.motionperformance.com/mp-valvec.jpg
MotownMadman
03-07-2003, 06:57 PM
Didnt some of the Nickey, Dana, and Harrell cars have a finned M/T valve cover that had 427 cast into them and a GM part number on the inside? I have a set and was told they came off a Dana car.
Motown /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif
whitetop
03-07-2003, 07:03 PM
Motown
Yes, all the very early M/T covers did have the 427 script where the pcv goes. They were not exclusive to a Dana or Nickey car. Every speed shop that sold them were the same. The part number inside was a m/t number, not gm. All the early covers by M/T Ford etc had that long part number differentiated by just a few numbers. When the 454 came out in '70 M/T took off the 427 script. Very hard covers to find today.
Still see them on occasion but the drippers are usually ground off and the 427 scripts are missing (one one side of the pair)because that's were the PCV goes.
Dave
Stefano
03-07-2003, 07:54 PM
Frank,
I am not saying that there is anything wrong with yours /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif but "most" of the so called NOS Big Block valve covers sold on ebay today are repops and have been so for a while. They are being sold by numerous people across the counrty.
Its kinda Like the Cuban Cigars, most are not the real deal, especially the ones brought in from Cuba by all the airline people. That scam has been going on for decades.
Your better off paying a bit more and getting the stuff you are not certain about from someone you know and trust, IMO.
whitetop
03-07-2003, 07:57 PM
Frank
They are repops. I had a private email saying those covers are being sold by Speedway Motors and they are the ones putting that decal in the center.
SS454
03-07-2003, 08:00 PM
I have two sets of these. Any way to know for sure if they are repops or the real deal. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif
olredalert
03-07-2003, 08:55 PM
------If you are from a heavily marine area with alot of ocean racer stuff going on,as I am,you can find the originals fairly easily.Usually they are painted black!Until I saw this post I didnt know anybody really cared about these as there are a couple of sets at an engine builder I know,and more down in northern Detroit at a couple of different places............Bill S
Frank, unfortunately they look like the ones being sold today for approx. $100.00
Nothing wrong with them just should only have paid about $100.00.
The newer ones seem to have better polishing job then older ones and some older ones are not polished.
The early 70s Motion valve covers that I have seen are chrome plated aluminum and have a different style Motion emblem. Then mid 70s were chrome plated with new style Motion emblem, then later ones were polished aluminum. The mid to late 70s catalog offers chrome or polished. In the early catalog only one type is offered which I believe was chrome plated. This is from what I have seen in old pictures in catalogs and magazines.
attached is BB and SB ones I have that are chrome plated alum with new style Motion emblems which I estimate date of mid 70s.
ol that is true. They were also sold with black crinkle finish and some had names in the rectangle.
SS454
03-07-2003, 09:19 PM
The ones that I have are from a race boat and they where black crinkle finish on them. But still is there a way to know if they are from early 70s or if they are repops? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
hvychev
03-07-2003, 10:07 PM
Guys other than the Towanda decals how can you tell for sure? I am going to post a close up of the chrome tonight and what looks like some natural imperfections that are in them. Guys I am grasping at straws here!!! I just don't want to face the fact yet that I got screwed! I am pi$$ed! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif
MM, There is an road test in 1967 magazine on a 67 Dana 427 Camaro and this car has finned alu Edelbrock valve covers. They may have used other makes but there are not many original pictures of Dana cars that show what was used.
jon rand
03-07-2003, 11:28 PM
I had a set of real vintage valve covers on ebay at the same time and I sold them for $75.00 all they needed was polished a little, But the repop's seamed to get all the bids. If people wern't afraid to do a little polishing they could save alot of money.
MotownMadman
03-07-2003, 11:38 PM
Dave, My M/T valve covers still have the 427 on each side, still have the drippers and the reason I had thought it was a GM part# is because they say Chevrolet on the inside right by the number. Joe, I have a old muscle car review here that has what I thought was a Dana with them, but it turns out it is a Harrell that has them on it. Anyway, anybody needs a set I have a nice pair.
Motown /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif
whitetop
03-08-2003, 12:15 AM
Motown
I checked on the Ford ones I have and it says Ford by the number also. I know several people that are looking for the ones you have. Shoot me an email at
[email protected]
55chevy
03-08-2003, 12:17 AM
I've got an old pair. I don't know the brand (I haven't looked at them in a while) but they are pretty old and look to have the black crinkle finsh you mention. Alot of it is peeling off but the covers themselves are in great condition.
Ed
whitetop
03-08-2003, 12:25 AM
Frank
Face it you got screwed. The ones you have are from Speedway. I'm 100% certain. Look at it another way. be positive. You just bought them 15 years too soon. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Most of the CP covers I have seen have many imperfections. Jegs has a couple M/T covers on display in the retail showroom and you can't believe the crap Holley is producing. Lots of grind marks, small air bubbles and just junk. They were/are massed produced by $7 hour employees who drink their lunch on occasion and can't wait to go home.
hvychev
03-08-2003, 03:28 AM
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif Oh well Im still gonna put them on my Chevelle anyways.
MotownMadman
03-08-2003, 06:55 AM
Frank, you did well enough on the Mustang you can put those on your lawn tractor and track down an original set. Dont sacrifice nothing on that pretty Chevelle!
Motown /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif
Unreal
03-08-2003, 12:17 PM
What's the scoop on the ones with YENKO 427 cast into the top? They seem to be selling for around 300-350?
bkhpah
03-08-2003, 12:21 PM
I watch people bid on these clearly fake homemade junk Yenko valve covers on ebay all the time. Yet a real Berger wisk broom gets flamed. I don't get it. Don't you think it funny that these "rare" one of a kind covers can get bought every day on the bay. I have lots of Yenko liturature and nowere are they mentioned. The only aftermarket valve cover that I have seen that Harrell used are Edelbrock. Most just kept the original Chevrolet issued versions. I would love to see the "real' paperwork on these Yenko treasures...BKH /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bs.gif
Jeff H
03-08-2003, 01:47 PM
Throw them back on Ebay, you'll probably get most of your monay back. Either that or give the guy negative feedback for selling repo's as real originals. Remember, he's still making a killing off people and that's not right. I would definitely contact the seller and make him return your money or get him kicked off Ebay.
Brian; I agree. What amazes me, everyone here is scared to death that someone will sell a fake car as real, but then turn around and bid/promote obvious fakes items. As with the cars, all it takes is doing a little home work. And when buying many of these itmes, you are actually buying illegal stuff, as most of the folks producing this stuff never ask permission, much less pay for the rights to use the logo. I have even had it happen with the sYc. Much of the buying of non authorized items is taking from the very families we worship. It is amazing the attitude some of these counterfieters have when asked if they have permissiom from the holder of the rights. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif
olredalert
03-08-2003, 02:06 PM
-----What can be told about the stamped steel Yenko valve covers that I used to see at Carlisle all the time?There was always a guy along the edge of the old track that had alot of Yenko stuff.Was he one of the august members of this registry?I always wanted a pair,even if I just hung em on the wall.If I remember correctly there were tall and short versions.The perfect valvecover for one of those Yenko ZL1 aluminum blocks!!!!!..........Bill S
Most likely that was MRSYC. Through the years, he has sold a lot of Yenko stuff. As per the stamped valve covers, I have only seen one size, the tall ones , designed to go on Yenko racecars (will not clear the PB booster on COPOs). Chromed, they are really a neat piece. I have a couple of plain sets, one set setting on a Yenko ZL-1 motor. If memory serves me correct, Brian has a chrome set, as well as another BB Yenko VC or two. Besides BB VCs, Yenko produceded an embossed BB oil pan, as well as a cast Vega VC (which is on Ebay from time to time) and a V6 VC. It is quite interesting to look thorugh a Yenko catalog and achives at some of the neat stuff Yenko had produced.
olredalert
03-08-2003, 02:47 PM
------Thanks Tom,that answers the question.If you havent seen the short valve covers I must have imagined them..........Bill S
The Yenko family had a bunch of different business ventures going and one was Yenko Performance and Marine operating out of the old Yenko dealership in the 80s. They had an ad (with babe model) showing valve covers, oil pan, timing cover, and other parts. Maybe some of the boat guys on here can do some investigation work on this as they sold to boat racers.
vBulletin® v3.8.11, Copyright ©2000-2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.