I have a 1990 convertible, L98, that appears to have magnesium valve covers (and other covers as well)which have been seriously discolored.  I started looking on the Internet for replacement (OEM original) valve covers.  It seems that no matter where I search, all I can locate is new, direct, original replacement for the Right valve cover.  I have been totally unsuccessful in locating both the right and the left.

it runs like that and can't really explain why only one side is more available than the other. one guess on my part as i own a 90 too, is that the left side is more visible than the right.

by any chance have you tried cleaning them with any type of cleaner? i bought spray paint from ecklers but only did the plenum and intake runners. didn't want to take off valve covers at the time. the paint did make the top of intake look a lot better but after a bit with some of the work i did on the engine, i scraped the paint a couple times and will have to redo it.


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the dynamic duo

c3vr life member #97

Believe it or not, that has been an issue from WAAAAY back. Seems it's always been easy to get the pass side VC, but the ds was always impossible on just about ANY GM engine. I can offer no explanation for this other than the DS vcovers must be going to the same place that all my socks go to...
You can buy exact match paint to paint the magnesium valve covers, if you want to clean them very well, and paint them. 

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Joel Adams  
My Link

    
(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Hi,

as far as i know they are the same color. go to ecklers site, enter year of your vette and do a seach for paint. they have just about all you will need.

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the dynamic duo

c3vr life member #97

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I've only seen one C4 with decent looking Valve covers and it was literally owned by a little old lady who didn't take her 85model over 70 mph for 100k miles. It was pretty amazing, the rest of the car is suffering sun damage in the usual places and some of the other wear and tear, but the best looking covers I’ve seen to date. Be careful with painting, you'll get a heat buildup in the worst place possible, they scorch for a reason. Keeping a C4 original has more merits down the shorter road than a lot people realize right now. This month's Corvette magazine disagrees with me, only time will tell who wins!

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Thom Williams

Yes, I did try a bio-degradable "Orange" soap.  Quite frankly, it was after using that soap that I noticed that the only prior owner had painted the valve covers with a paint that really does not match the plenum or distributor cover.  I also visited a paint shop that specialized in powder coating.  I got great quote for doing both valve covers, however, they could only get "close" to the original magnesium look.  Even though that would be less expensive than replacing the valve covers, the verdict is still out in my mind.  I guess I am a purist and would like to keep the car as original as possible.

I like the idea of painting the valve covers to match.  However, I am concerned about issues such as spotting, blemishes, heat spots, etc.  For this reason I did some research on "Powder Coating" which can take a great deal of heat and scratching.  The problem at this point is finding a paint shop that can match the Magnesium coating color as well as the canned spray paint supplied by Ecklers.

Not to seem too stupid, but are you guys talking about that ugly arse Brownish, tan looking color I have on my valve covers. I HATE that color and think it ruins the engine compartment. I intend to have them powder coated Black or Chevrolet Orange the first chance I get. I am also toying with the idea of either Silver powder coating or chroming the intake (plenium and runners). then running a set of bright yellow Accell performance plug wires along the side of the valve covers.    Trooper2010-09-12 15:06:33

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Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims https://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg

they sure are talking about them all. they are supposed to be the color or the intake runners and plenum. orange may look the same as what you have.

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the dynamic duo

c3vr life member #97

I have seen the valve covers that look like the intake. They are not much better. I think I am going with the black powder coating on the covers, and try to get the intake chromed. It has great possibilities, but chevrolet missed the bus on the colors for this one.

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Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims https://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg

You mentioned valve cover and TPI dress up.  Thought I would show you what I did.

There is a lot of value at keeping a C4 original especially if it's low miles, have it professionally appraised and you'll find out why. C4's are on the rise in value and at shows while C5' are decreasing. Slight burn and tarnish marks on the valve covers are expected by NCRS judges. Keep in mind, they can only be original once, once you muck them up, you're done. Cleaning them well is another story, carefully!


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Thom Williams

I guess it depends on what you are in it for.  My cars will never see an NCRS judge.  But they've won some peoples choice awards.

i agree ron. it is all personal choice. i have a bunch of chrome on my 75 and some chrome accents on the 90 because i like them. and mine will never be the trailer queen as i love to drive them. the only problem with chrome is, it's a pain to keep clean.

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the dynamic duo

c3vr life member #97

Yeah, you are right.  It's a pain.

I gotta tell you Ron, I like that look. It is very Smooth and clean looking. I like the valve covers but I haven't seen them on Ecklers and trust me I have been looking. If you finds them again how about dropping me a line with a link to them please. Trooper2010-09-15 20:10:57

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Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims https://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg

Glad you found them.

Should have told you. I have more pics I can send if you need them.  Including the updated and polished TB.

Send them on man, send them on

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Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims https://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg

I hate to burst everyones bubble but the mag. valve covers can not be chromed or power coated. I had it tried the power coating them but they hissed and and made popping noises while in the oven and came out with bubbles all over them. Any good chrome shop with not do them either because if they start burning well, you would see most of his shop or all of it go down in flames. I also tried polishing them and the came out great but after some miles they just looked like a grey ash all over them. I gave up.

 Well that' just mean.....

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Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims https://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg

allan, i guess you'll try it anyway and then read this post when it doesn't come out right.

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the dynamic duo

c3vr life member #97

[QUOTE=eddie20890]allan, i guess you'll try it anyway and then read this post when it doesn't come out right.[/QUOTE]

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Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims https://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg

i would imagine that there has to be a way to do it. if someone had it done then it can be. maybe it would have to be done professionnally. as far as i can tell rrobbo tried to do it himself.

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the dynamic duo

c3vr life member #97

Yea, I am going to go to a shop and talk to them about it. I figure they got the original color on there somehow... so gotta be a way to do something with it....

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Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims https://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg

I just received the new Mid America Motorworks catalog. They have an OEM reproduction of BOTH L and R valve covers. Looks like a good option.

These are how my valve covers look.  I removed them, cleaned and degreased them, sandblasted them using coarse Black Beauty media, gave them a coat of etching primer form a spray can, then gave them several thin coats of the valve cover paint that MidAmerica sells that matches the original C4 valve covers.  I did this well over 10 years ago and have only recently touched them up while on the engine using the same can of paint I had originally painted them with.  I have put over 25,000 miles on the motor and they still look as good as the day I painted them. If you are going to take them off to replace them, I would opt for the restoration of the originals myself.  I just like to keep everything as original as possible.  Plus the cost of a can of spray paint is a lot less than the cost of those new repro covers.The Car Whisperer2010-09-26 14:27:28

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1986 "Bright Red" COUPE - Aluminum Heads,
Sport Seats, Bose, Ultra-Flo Exhaust,
Automatic, Bilsteins - "Mostly Original" otherwise.

That has a clean and neat look about it. Is it necessary to sand blast them to get that finish or could I just clean, sand, and prime them, then paint? I am not a professional painter but I am trying to learn, all I can about doing it myself.

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Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims https://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg

For what it's worth this is a shot of the valve cover on my '86.  The passenger side has a little of that brownish color on it but it's probably something that a little elbow grease will take care of.  I just got this one a couple of months ago (my first 'vette) and I just plain love it.