Fabricated Sheet Metal valve covers

[Steve Reynolds]

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum, but since I am not a paying vendor, I'll try to post here.
I have just completed a set of Fabricated valve covers for a customer that has the TA heads. He needed them to be shorter than other aftermarket ones, but taller than the stock ones. They measure approximately 2 1/2" inside. As long as I was doing the CAD work, I developed some that are taller also for people that would be running stock or Champ heads. These measure 3" inside. I have not yet notched them for the AC box. This will need to be done for stock type applications. I could produce these covers on a semi- production scale. I only run my shop on nights and weekends and I have many irons in the fire, BUT if the demand would be high enough, I could ramp up. You will notice in the pictures the difference in height between the two semi finished bodies. (taller vs shorter)
The price would be in the $300 range per pair, for either size. If you need holes or bungs welded on, it would be a little extra. I know that these are not for everyone, especially at this price, but in order to come out, I need to charge accordingly.
If interested, please call me evenings at 920-684-6776, or e-mail me at srgs455@iglide.net Please don't send me a PM on this board as I just don't have time to check back like I should. Thanks, Steve

 

[PaCemkr86]

those look excellent. Are these the same ones on ebay?

 

[disco stu]

Dammit! Thought I was gonna be different. :frown:

Oh well. Different that the ebay dude Phil.

 

[PaCemkr86]

hehe, well the ones i got from you look great on my new engine..

 

[Steve Reynolds]

fabricated valve covers

No, I have never sold any of my fabricated goods on E-bay. I searched on E-bay and couldn't find any fabricated V-6 valve covers, only cast and stock. I don't know if anyone else is building them right now.
FYI. Mine are built from .090" 5052-0 aluminum and utilize a 1/4" thick aluminum base, made of 6061-T6. This is the same basic construction that I've been using for years, building the V-8 Buick stuff. Beware of the VERY light weight "race only" ones that don't have any base, other than the wall material bent 90 degrees to form the base. You can save a pound or two, but they don't seal very well. They are very easy to build when compared to the way mine are built, that's basically why they exist. (IE greater profits) I just can't see building them that way and selling them as a top quality part. I don't know if any are, or ever were built this way for the V-6, other than one-of-a kind customs. This is though, just my opinion!!
Thanks again, Steve

 

[PaCemkr86]

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152510&highlight=ebay+valve+covers

 

[Steve Reynolds]

Link

Thanks for the link. That's the style I was refering to, without a rigid thick base. They look pretty nice though, especially for that money. Steve

 

[GNVYUS 1]

Your covers look great Steve

But I have been working with a guy on aluminum covers and so far he has made 2 different sets, 1 for the TA heads which Disco has for like $120 and another set for guys who do not have the AC which were like $140.

Your covers are nice, but I doubt you will find any takers at $300 considering we already have 2 aluminum cover sets around $120 and another stock set coming in around $120.

If you can get the price down A LOT there is always room for nice valve covers around here.

 

[disco stu]

It's all relative. Yes the ones I have are a steal, I have NEVER seen fabbed VC's that cheap. But $300 is around the going rate for fabbed VC's everywhere else. Mine does not have a thich gasket rail, it is just the sheet aluminum braked over, but it works well and probably will not be any problem as long as I tighten them only as much as it takes to seal. Is the Ebay guy reliable if he has to put out any volume, and will he be around making these for TR's for long? Who knows. Did I get a lucky score? Yep. And they DO look bitchin. I have to say the engne under my hood has never looked sweeter. (even though it did look pretty sweet with the crinkle TA VC's I sold Pacemaker).