I was just wondering. Would someone please tell me how to easily tell the difference between original and reproduction Thunderbird finned aluminum valve covers.
Thanks Jay
Not sure, but I do know that either one are expensive, so I would rather have the real ones. From what I have seen, they both run around $400 pair or so.
The repos have some small differences. The detail I noted is that the letters are not as sharp on the repos. Often the originals have a bunch of pits or pores in the castings as do the repos. I had one repo that was not square on the head.
I think either are fine for most applications. The repos can be bolted right on while most originals will require a ton of polishing to make look decent. The pits in the originals take a lot of work to get the casting flaws out.
This is what the ones on my car look like. I do see pores in them. I do realize that my 57 custom would not have come with this type of rocker covers. To me they just look nicer than the tin ones so that's why I put them on the car. It just would be nice to know that they are real ones. Thanks for your opinions.
E CODE judging from the amount of pores in your castings, I would think they are a sand casting, that were made in Mexico a few years ago. I bought a set off of Ebay from a guy in Texas, and they were good enough for a drag car, but never would make it on a show car. I also bought a pr. to fit a 56 Lincoln 368 and they were a better casting. Still not perfect. Tom
Thanks Tom
That's what I kinda suspected. They will have to do for now. I'll just be happy if I get the car finished enough to get it on the road and driving this coming summer.
Jay
Quote from: wildhog link= but never would make it on a show car. I also bought a pr. to fit a 56 Lincoln 368 and they were a better casting. Still not perfect. Tom
/quote]
Talk about not good enough for a show car, this set was on my friends 57 Thunderbird. He actually took this set off of his car because according to the judges they were not nice enough and they took points off. He then bought another new set of covers. Man I sure am glad that I'm not into that show stuff. These are a lot nicer than the ones on my car. I do notice that the 4 detail marks in the head of the bird are different from the covers on my car.
I'm going to have to buy a set of the longer rocker cover studs for the aluminum heads. Who sells them and how much are they going for ?
Thanks and have a Happy Easter. Jay
You can buy the longer studs from any of the T-Bird parts houses and the washers and acorn nuts. There not very bad in price. Tom
I've always liked the look of the t-bird rocker covers. I wish they made them like that for my 460. :003:
RMK57
There are times when I think that Ford missed the boat.
If they made that type of cover for the Fe and 460 series, think about all the people that would have bought them.
They made nice ones for the small blocks and people are still buying them as well as the Y blocks.
By the way I forgot the proper term for the 460 series. Do you know what it is?
385
Quote from: Ecode70D on 2013-03-30 20:37
Talk about not good enough for a show car, this set was on my friends 57 Thunderbird. He actually took this set off of his car because according to the judges they were not nice enough and they took points off.
Those judges are not always right, specially with Fords, parts often came from several suppliers and there are at times slight variations for the same parts. Seen it more than once.
Zap- :unitedstates:
First of all let me say the Thunderbird valve cover is probably the best looking alum. valve cover,ever made by any car manufacturer. Now that being said I am tired of seeing them on ever Y-block, just as I am tired of the Cobra v.c. on evey small block and vette v.c.s on every scrub. I think it great to see Y-blocks with Fenton, Moon, Edelbrock, Edmans or Offie's. Any of the old school stuff. Our member Allan from New Zealand (kiwi ragtop) is building a y with Fenton 2x4 intake,Fenton valve covers and Fenton cast headers. This will be a great looking engine, when it is done.
Missed one!!!
Everyone has their favorites, these are mine.
I had a pr. of the Mack Truck Valve covers on a F.E. for a while, I was just naming the Y-block covers I could think of forgot Thomas . I am sure there are more. Again the T-Birds are good looking, I just like it when some one trys to be different.
I like the no name
Sweet engine compartment :naughty: :hello2:
Quote from: Ecode70D on 2013-03-31 10:13There are times when I think that Ford missed the boat. If they made that type of cover for the Fe and 460 series, think about all the people that would have bought them.
Yup, that's exactly what I think too. You would think that they would have at least made them for FEs considering all the T-Birds that later came with 390s.
I had a set on my '56 Tudor Ranch Wagon & was supposed to get them back after I sold the wagon. I never did get them back & now I kick myself every time I see a pic of them. That's probably my fault & then the guy sold the wagon. I miss that car.
I was thinking that I would try to adapt those Bird covers to a 302 since I'd probably never have another Y-block. Now I see that someone is making adapters to put them on 302s. Fairly spendy as I recall.
If some aftermarket outfit would make those T-Bird valve covers that directly bolt on to an FE motor I think they would sell a lot of them.
Quote from: wildhog on 2013-03-31 17:00
First of all let me say the Thunderbird valve cover is probably the best looking alum. valve cover,ever made by any car manufacturer.
Agree 100%. But I hardly ever see them in person.
Next favorites would be the all finned no name types like Ragtop posted.
Quote from: wildhog on 2013-03-31 18:35
I had a pr. of the Mack Truck Valve covers on a F.E. for a while ...
What do those look like?
Us old guys used to call the M/T Mickey Thompson Products Mack Truck because of the M-T Tom
I thought that might be the case. (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/TomIII/smilies/Doanno.gif) I'm older than you but don't recall hearing that one. Don't like the look of those.
I'm old too and I never heard them referred to as Mack Truck covers also. It just goes to show you that you learn something every day.
I too agree that the Thunderbird valve covers are the most beautiful covers that I have ever seen.
Tom sorry to hear that you missed that set. I would be willing to bet that if the guy kept his part of the deal that you would still have them today. I bought that set that's on my car when I didn't even have a Y block and didn't even think that I would ever have one again. I just had to have them..
Someone once told me that the all finned no name ones bring more money than the Tbird ones. I don't know how true that is though.
I like the ribbed ones that go diagonally across the top rather than lengthwise. Not cheap in this area. The T-bird is tough to beat.
Quote from: Zapato on 2013-04-02 22:38
I like the ribbed ones that go diagonally across the top rather than lengthwise.
Diagonal fins/ribs? I can't feature any like that. :dontknow: Tell us more.
Quote from: Tom S on 2013-04-03 06:40
Diagonal fins/ribs? I can't feature any like that. :dontknow: Tell us more.
WOW!!! I'm learning all kinds of stuff on this forum.
Does someone have a picture them ? That's another thing that I have never known about.
Quote from: Zapato on 2013-04-02 22:38
I like the ribbed ones that go diagonally across the top rather than lengthwise. Not cheap in this area. The T-bird is tough to beat.
C'mon, It's not April fools anymore. :003:
thay make finned aluminum valve covers for FEs also mooneyes has them and y-block vally covers
Here is a pic of one...pretty cool stuff.
Quote from: JPotter57 on 2013-04-03 19:34
Here is a pic of one...pretty cool stuff.
I've seen a lot of rocker covers in my life, but never anything like those. There very unique looking
but I'd have to pass.
Quote from: rmk57 on 2013-04-03 20:23
I've seen a lot of rocker covers in my life, but never anything like those. There very unique looking
but I'd have to pass.
I think they're great..I'd jump on those in a heartbeat.
IMHO...
They are different for sure. If I had to choose between those and the stock Tbird ones, I would take the Thunderbird rocker covers.
Quote from: JPotter57 on 2013-04-03 19:34
Here is a pic of one...pretty cool stuff.
They look really killer painted engine color between the ribs. (April Fools,lol)
Zap- :unitedstates:
I remember seeing those advertised in Hot Rod back in '58. I'm glad I didn't buy those, but instead went to my local Ford dealer and ordered a pair of Thunderbird covers. With a discount I paid $32 for the pair. Where is my time machine??? Oh, I still have 'em. John
Quote from: Hoosier Hurricane on 2013-04-05 06:05
I remember seeing those advertised in Hot Rod back in '58. John
John, do you remember how much they were back in 58 ? Ballpark figure would be fine. Usually see at least one or two sometimes a set a Portland Swap Meet.
Another killer set would be the ones found on 56-7 Continental Mark 2s. Heavily ribbed across with the Continental Star blazing in the center. I have a free set available one just needs to buy the rest of the MK2 to receive them.
Zap- :unitedstates:
Zap:
Don't remember exactly, but I would think no more than $40. John
Wow! that would have been some serious change in 58.
Zap- :unitedstates:
just sold a set of 368 continental covers on my 57 lincoln convert.
Ragtop, I s that a Edmunds 317 intake? I sold one like it last year and went with a M335. Thanks Tom
yes it is a edmund intake when I was building the car only 2x4 I found for a 368 but after I had it done I found a m335 but the price was to hi I think he wanted 3000.00 for it with no carbs just intake so just left it on works grate the car moves out a lot better or as good as it can for a 5000lb car
Ragtop, Are you up by Madison or the Stoughton area? Thanks Tom
yes I'm in madison
I just 'won' these & was surprised that I did. ;D All fins, no names or logo. :023:
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/TomIII/Ranchero/ValvecoversCalCustom.jpg)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-FE-Valve-Covers-by-Cal-Custom-352-360-390-427-428-engines-/290889494231?viewitem=&sspagename=ADME%3AL%3AOC%3AUS%3A3160&item=290889494231&vxp=mtr&nma=true&si=7kzUCx6wKJAQHSf3%252FI50AxNhfck%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Any chance one of you guys with a set of T-bird valve covers can provide a picture with the bird dimensioned. all over.
And do any of you guys have a junk FE valve cover you'd be willing to part with........
Just daydreaming at this end.
Zap- :unitedstates:
Tom,
Great score!
Tim :unitedstates:
Quote from: 57 Ford Kustom on 2013-04-09 13:14
Tom, Great score!
Maybe not as good as it looked. On top of his $20 shipping that was listed the guy wants another $34.43 to ship to Alaska via UPS or FedEx. UPS & FedEx screw us on shipping. They are quite often 2, 3, & sometimes 4 times the cost of the USPS. Told him to check with USPS first. I bet it will be half the cost.
Zap, I think you have the same idea that I have had for years with that T-Bird emblem. Started to try it once but never went very far.
Now if somebody would start casting a flock of these .... (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/TomIII/smilies/Evil.gif)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/TomIII/Ranchero/T-Birdemblem.jpg)
Tom, I know practically nothing about casting or pattern making but since someone mentioned a t-bird valve cover for FEs its been spinning wildly in my head. NOT that there is a need for another project here in Zapatoville but ideas lead to learning and doing.
Zap- :unitedstates:
Quote from: Zapato on 2013-04-09 16:27
Tom, I know practically nothing about casting or pattern making
I don't either but, of course, somebody sure does. From something I heard I don't think it's that hard to cast aluminum, but I could be very wrong.
Seems to me that the first thing you would need is an impression casting, or whatever it's called, a negative of sorts, of the bird. Plaster of paris or whatever they use for that. :dontknow: Probably ain/t Plaster of paris!
After they are made mill the fins off the middle of a valve cover & mount the T-Bird emblem.
If someone did manage to mass produce cast aluminum t-bird covers for an fe I wonder if copyright laws would be a problem or if Ford would even care.
Ford would definitely care, look at all the repro parts ads and the usually state authorized by Ford. I'd just want to make a pair or even one as a wallhanger and use it to mess with people's heads, Heck even just to build a wooden pattern and have it on my shelves would freak FE purists.
Probably be able to find all Information need to do some on youtube,
Zap- :unitedstates:
take a fe finned cover and a 61-63 t-bird emblem have the cover milled in the shape of emblem and epoxy together ford put a t-bird emblem on the 3x2 air cleaner in birds with a t-bird only intake because motor sat at a diffrent degree
run a search on the Hamb..back a month or two ago a hamber did an in-depth thread on casting aluminum parts at home...including how to make a home made furnace, how to melt stuff like old alum wheels for the pour, etc.
The aluminum in wheels is a superior alloy compared to aluminum scrap that is around, one of the reasons it brings a better scrap price.
I just carried in $50 worth of aluminum and pop cans. The cans brought more then the "clean" aluminum which was several old screen door and window frames. Read and article many years ago where a guy used only cans to make belt buckles....took a bunch of them per buckle.
Jim
Those rocker covers are going to look nice on your engine. It's a bummer that the shippers treat you like a second class citizen (Pardon the pun.) because you live in Alaska. Is US Postage just as bad?
Jay
Quote from: ragtop on 2013-04-10 14:08.. a 61-63 t-bird emblem ...
I don't think that would look anything like the T-bird valve cover emblem though. I can't even find a pic of the T-Bird emblem that was on the 61-63 T-Bird 3x2 air cleaner.
Not sure where you would get one, didn't find any repos of those either.
Did they have the flags like these?
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/390-FORD-MERCURY-MUSTANG-FAIRLANE-TRUCK-62-63-64-67-68-FOMOCO-EMBLEM-ORNAMENT-/18/!BoJHBkg!Wk~$(KGrHqUH-EEEts(TTvHWBLmVSSwfWQ~~_1.JPG)
Quote from: Ecode70D on 2013-04-11 07:29
Jim Is US Postage just as bad?
No, Jay. Hey! Pay attention, will ya. (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/TomIII/smilies/tap.gif) (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/TomIII/smilies/lol.gif) Jim??
Quote from: Tom S on 2013-04-09 14:27UPS & FedEx screw us on shipping. They are quite often 2, 3, & sometimes 4 times the cost of the USPS. Told him to check with USPS first. I bet it will be half the cost.
The guy took my advice & went to the post office & mailed them yesterday. (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/TomIII/smilies/wings.gif) USPS Parcel Post, $28.85. Just a buck .64 over 1/2 of the $54.43 UPS cost. UPS sucks. I sent him another 10 bucks. (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/TomIII/smilies/THUMB.gif)
Quote from: Tom S on 2013-04-12 00:31
Did they have the flags like these?
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/390-FORD-MERCURY-MUSTANG-FAIRLANE-TRUCK-62-63-64-67-68-FOMOCO-EMBLEM-ORNAMENT-/18/!BoJHBkg!Wk~$(KGrHqUH-EEEts(TTvHWBLmVSSwfWQ~~_1.JPG)
Those emblems were not T-bird exclusive, did a google image search couple days ago and there is quite a variety of bird emblems thru-out the years. What does the one between the back seats of the early/mid 60s look like?
Quote from: Zapato on 2013-04-12 01:43
Those emblems were not T-bird exclusive, did a google image search couple days ago and there is quite a variety of bird emblems thru-out the years. What does the one between the back seats of the early/mid 60s look like?
Yup. Those appear to be fender emblems. Fairly common on a lot of Fords. Don't know if they were even on Birds.
Quote from: Tom S on 2013-04-12 00:31I can't even find a pic of the T-Bird emblem that was on the 61-63 T-Bird 3x2 air cleaner.
Found one ...
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/TomIII/Ranchero/T-Bird3x2airclnremblem.jpg)
Yikes! 1600 bucks! (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/TomIII/smilies/eek.gif)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1961-1962-1963-Ford-Thunderbird-ORIG-390-6V-TRI-POWER-AIR-CLEANER-ASSEM-w-EMBLEM-/151024715105?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2329c64561&vxp=mtr
The 3x2s on the 406 in my roadster had a home build oval air cleaner. I found a factory finned top at a swap meet 'Outside' that some dork had cut a round hole into for a PVC valve. (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/TomIII/smilies/roll.gif) Got it reeal cheap. Had bunch of .013// thick aluminum sheet.
Glued some on to each side of the top &
painted/trimmed the outside edge with a black pinstripe. Been on there for over 30 years & still looks good & the finish is smoother than stockers. Don't recall anybody questioning it.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/TomIII/ROADSTER/406RIGHT.jpg)
The new issue of Hot Rod (June) has a "how to" on casting aluminum. Includes making your own crucible......and for those of you lusting after something different.....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MINT-Lincoln-317-368-aluminum-valve-covers-1956-1957-hot-rod-32-ford-y-block-/290897218765?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43bad34ccd&vxp=mtr#ht_242wt_1240
Tom.. that 406 tri-power in your deuce is bad ass......
Quote from: Tom S on 2013-04-12 00:34
Quote from: Ecode70D on April 11, 2013, 05:29:58 AM
Jim Is US Postage just as bad?
No, Jay. Hey! Pay attention, will ya. Jim??
Sorry Tom!!!
It must have been a senior moment. Do I get a de-merit?
Jay
try a 63 t-bird hood emblem
Quote from: Jeff Norwell on 2013-04-13 07:05
Tom.. that 406 tri-power in your deuce is bad ass......
Thanks, Jeff! It's actually a '31 on a '32 frame with a '32 grille. It is titled as a '31.
Not a show car by any means but I think it's a pretty damn neat ride. Not many rods have an engine like this instead of that common brand X thing.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/TomIII/ROADSTER/25thSHINE013-1.jpg)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/TomIII/25thSHINE017.jpg)
Quote from: Ecode70D on 2013-04-13 11:59Do I get a de-merit?
Of course you do! I can't let you get away with stuff like that. :005:
Dang Tom..... an A on deuce rails is even better!..... channelled too!... 406 heck yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-1955-1957-Ford-292-312-Y-Block-Thunderbird-Finned-Aluminum-Valve-Cover-/140959234101?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20d1d33835&vxp=mtr#ht_402wt_1144
Some to watch.....