chrome valve cover casting numbers? A friend is working on repro chrome valve covers and he needs the casting numbers that are stamped in the center of them. Duane or anybody have a set that has the numbers clearly visible? Need these ASAP. Digital photo would be nice if possible. The ones on my GSX are not very clear and the ones from my 73 Stage 1 have different numbers. Thanks guys.
Don't have a price yet but I did see the prototype and it looks excatly as an original. Made overseas but the tin is same gauge as factory and not weak as some others ones are.
John, There is some confusion on what #'s are correct for 70-72 Stage1 motors. The parts books disagree with what's out there in some cases. The valvecovers on my car are original as far as I know, or can see. The drivers side has part # 1232069 and 145. The passenger side is 1232068 and 145. Here's a shot of the drivers side.
Here's the passenger side. On both valvecovers, the part # is upside down as viewed from the fender, and the 145 is right side up. I guess the 145 is a date codeo No:
Larry, Maybe I can verify that the valve covers are original, what is the build date for your car. It would be on the ID plate on the firewall. Duane
John, Duane says the 145 date code is wrong for my build date. They could be from a 72 car. Still waiting on the definitive word on the part #'s. Duane, I did a search on valve covers, and came up with a thread that said the Stage1 covers were 1233422, and 1233423. The painted ones match my part#'s according to this source.
Larry my GSX has the same numbers on the valve covers as yours except the 3 digit number is 135 I believe. My GSX was built the 2nd or 3rd week of May. I was speaking to Mark DeConti about the covers and the funny thing is some covers have the numbers upside down and the 3 digit numbers right side up or viceversa. Duane do you have any input on the casting numbers? The guy wants to get this project going ASAP and is waiting for an answer as to what numbers to use and right side up or down. I spoke with Mark about it and think Larry's numbers right side up and use the 3 digit numbers 422 for the right cover and 423 for the left cover.
70 GSX stage 1 with window sticker, invoice date 4-17-70, same numbers as Larry's except 150 instead of 145. Same number orientation as Larry's.
Part #'s between chrome and painted valve covers are not the same but, you can never tell what the factory did in those days. Anything is possible. I have two sets of the 1232068/69 that are painted and one set on my Stage that are chrome. Valve cover p/ns '69 All (Stage 1) 1231542 RH '69 All (Stage 1) 1231543 LH '69 400-430 Eng. exc. Stage 1 1383430 RH '69 400-430 Eng. exc. Stage 1 1383431 LH '70-72 455 Eng. (Stage 1) 1233422 RH '70-72 455 Eng. (Stage 1) 1233423 LH '70-72 455 Eng. exc. Stage 1 1232068 RH '70-72 455 Eng. exc. Stage 1 1232069 LH '73 455 Eng. exc. Stage 1 1242782 RH '73 455 Eng. exc. Stage 1 1242783 LH '73 455 Eng. (Stage 1) 1242882 RH '73 455 Eng. (Stage 1) 1242883 LH
John, I am going to give you my honest opinion on this, and will explain my reasons. I would not stamp any Part numbers, or Date codes on these parts. 1, I have some originals here and they have the same part numbers that Larry has, namely 1232068 and 1232069. Some people say these numbers are incorrect, I don't know if that is true or not. If they are using a parts book for the source, those books often list the number on the box, and NOT the number that is stamped on the part. This same "numbering" problem also occurs with carburetors and other parts. 2, The numbers are stamped differently for different years. Some years have a deep stamping while others are very faint. 3, The date codes change throughout the production year, so any date you use would only work for a few cars. 4, If a manufacturer puts the "entire" part number on a reproduction part, then it can easily be mistaken for an original, and it would need to be licensed by GM. That way they can be assured that the quality of a reproduction part is equal or exceeds the quality of the original part. (Put another way, if he puts the part number on, it can open a very large can of worms.) If he offers the parts with no numbers the above problems go away. Also, if someone wants numbers stamped into them, they will have a nice flat area to do it themselves. Now, that is my opinion, feel free to do what you think best, but please do not disregard comment #4. If you want to talk about this give me a call. Your friend. Duane
Johnny, Duane brings up a good point on the p/n being stamped and the GM issue which I didn't consider when we spoke. Presently I have 70, 71 and 72 covers that only have the 1232068/9 numbers stamped and various 3 digit numbers depending on build date. I suggested the 422 and 423 number be used as they are the last 3 digits of the chrome valve cover p/n and would then be generic as no build date would correspond to them. As I understand the licensing (and I am no expert) as long as one thing is different, there is no copyright infringement. So, using the 422/423 would be acceptable as no covers were ever produced with them and would not require GM licensing. Just some more things to ponder on this subject. Mark
If I am reading Mark's post correctly, then the ---422, ---423 numbers are the part numbers used to order the parts, and not the numbers stamped into the part. I always figured as much. Duane PS. I sure would like to know the source used for these valve cover part numbers. I continually battle the incorrect part numbers listed in the parts books. The amount of mis-information out there is amazing.
Thanks for the input guys. I know this subject on numbers is never ending but I will keep you informed on the progress of the cover story.
Duane I will be glad to post a scan the relevant page from the 70 Master parts Cat . if it would add anything. You may already have it. Tthe numbers I posted above came from our original 49K 70 Stage 1 GSX.
The #'s I have came from someone else (can't remember who) but, he said they came from assembly manuals.
