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By itsa292 - 12 Years Ago
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I was registered as 55292 but I forgot my login info and could not find it so I re registered . I am looking for the expensive finned valve covers with the TBird logo on them. I dont need an engine as I have 7 already.
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By MoonShadow - 12 Years Ago
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There is almost always a set on EBAY. If you don't mind price. There are also some repops around. Chuck
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By DANIEL TINDER - 12 Years Ago
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If you can't find any for a fair price, I might take off the ones I'm running now and sell them, as I have a NOS set I just haven't gotten around to sealing/polishing yet. My old ones HAVE been machine polished & repainted (but sealed also), so they are not mint/orig. (machine polishing DOES take some of the crispness off the edges), and one has a chip off the flange edge that is invisible if mounted on the left head. But, the cork gaskets are still fairly fresh (attached with silicon), and their condition is otherwise very good.
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By MoonShadow - 12 Years Ago
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What do you seal them with? Chuck
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By itsa292 - 12 Years Ago
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Mr Tinder, How much do you want for them? You can e-mail me at eadgpdhome@msn.com if you like. Thanks
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By DANIEL TINDER - 12 Years Ago
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MoonShadow (12/25/2012)
What do you seal them with? Chuck
ZoopSeal.
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By DANIEL TINDER - 12 Years Ago
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[quote]itsa292 (12/25/2012)
Mr Tinder, How much do you want for them?
Dunno. Surprisingly, I couldn't find any used ones on ePay to judge current value, nor any NOS ones either for that matter (aside from the point, I see used Fenton & Edelbrock covers listed for $1300 a set. Jeez!)
New repro sets sell for over $400, and though crisper than my polished originals, they are easily discernible from the OEM covers (crude chinese castings).
I think $300 plus shipping would be fair. I could email you photos if needed.
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By DANIEL TINDER - 12 Years Ago
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Actually, I did find a set like mine who's auction is up soon, if you want to bid (item# 251203021264). Search of recent sales also indicate mine will likely sell for $400 eventually (if I take the trouble to photograph & list them), so in no big hurry to remove them now and prep the NOS ones.
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By iowa fords - 12 Years Ago
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what is and where do you get Zoopseal? Thanks Tom
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By DANIEL TINDER - 12 Years Ago
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ZoopSeal out of business. Replaced with ShineSeal.com.
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By Rono - 12 Years Ago
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The Eastwood Company has come out with a new product called "Metal Protect". It is a clear aerosol for bare polished metal. I bought a can and tried it last week on John Mummerts cast aluminum valley pan cover that I polished. It dries fast and I just used 2 light coats to get the job done. I was very satisfied with the product, but I'll have to wait and see how it holds up over time. Rono
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By itsa292 - 12 Years Ago
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Yes Pictures would be nice.
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By DANIEL TINDER - 12 Years Ago
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Sent via email.
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By Mark F - 12 Years Ago
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National Pasts Depot had repros for $400, but they show out of stock now with a number to call for status
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By DANIEL TINDER - 12 Years Ago
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[quote]Rono (12/26/2012)
The Eastwood Company has come out with a new product called "Metal Protect". It is a clear aerosol for bare polished metal. I bought a can and tried it last week on John Mummerts cast aluminum valley pan cover that I polished. It dries fast and I just used 2 light coats to get the job done. I was very satisfied with the product, but I'll have to wait and see how it holds up over time.
I HAD planned to use the remaining half of my original ZoopSeal kit on the NOS covers, but the Eastwood product looks interesting, since application is much simpler and the unpolished casting areas will get protected also. While all the online reviews are positive, I see 'Metal Protect' only guarantees protection for 3 months (ZoopSeal was 2 years, and it's replacement supposedly lasts longer). I wonder if both can be applied without a negative interaction (the spray might prolong the ZoopSeal effect)? Then a quick cleanup and respray would be easy maintenance every time the covers are removed for valve lash adjustment.
P.S. Still looking for an improved material to replace the rubber washer seal that shreds debris into the valve gear when you pull the covers off.
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By Rono - 12 Years Ago
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I've heard that you can get clear powder coating. I have never tried it, but if it is available, that would be a good option for parts like valve covers and valley pans. Just a thought. Rono
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By DANIEL TINDER - 12 Years Ago
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I've seen them chrome plated, and clear coated with lacquer. Don't like the look of either. I've also heard that once they are oil stained, you can never get the oil out of the pores, and thus clear coat paint won't adhere properly (peels/lifts). Don't know if that applies to powder coat, but I suspect they will still end up looking like they were dipped in plastic. I'm actually satisfied with the way the aluminum sealer products slow corrosion, and prefer the more original, slightly aged/dulled look of bare metal.
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By MoonShadow - 12 Years Ago
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When powder coating aluminum, or any porus metal, there is a preheat cycle to get the oil residue and small particles out of the part. The part is heated to about 400 degres then allowed to cool. wiped down with a solevent. This prevents contamination of the power coat. The same thing should run true for cleaning valve covers. Chuck
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By MoonShadow - 12 Years Ago
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Try these. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-1956-1957-Ford-Thunderbird-CAR-YBLOCK-292-312-ALUMINUM-VALVE-COVERS-/181053096715?hash=item2a279b030b&item=181053096715&pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr Chuck
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By slumlord444 - 12 Years Ago
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When mine get dull I just pull them off and re polish with whatever metal polish I have handy. Just saying that if you want originality.....
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By Ecode70D - 11 Years Ago
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I'm just curious ...How do you tell the originals from the reproductions?
Thanks
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By MoonShadow - 11 Years Ago
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Well I think these are original. Chuck http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-1955-1957-Ford-292-312-Y-Block-Thunderbird-Aluminum-Valve-Covers-/330855471072?hash=item4d0885d7e0&item=330855471072&pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr
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By DryLakesRacer - 11 Years Ago
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I've had my Moon discs on my LSR roadster clear powder coated and they look great. The shop I use does a "chrome" look powder coat on the intakes and has a few on display. A little to much for me. For the time being I'll just take off the polisher T-Bird cover I have and redo them if the start to dull. There are no hoses passing over them so it is easy.......Good luck
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By Rocketman 88 - 11 Years Ago
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If you have a decent 1957 TBird distributor, FEJ - A2 I have several sets too use as swap material. Mike, 57 "D" & 57 "E"
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By ejstith - 11 Years Ago
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I had mine chrome powder coated back in September. Like Tim said, they have to be preheated then painted. The first time around they weren't preheated & had little bubbles all over. They came out great & still look great. I have a nephew in the powder coating business so he "practiced" on mine.
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By NoShortcuts - 11 Years Ago
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Ecode70D (1/5/2013)
I'm just curious ...How do you tell the originals from the reproductions?
Thanks
For me, the surest way to tell the original edition 'Bird valve covers from any of the more recent Ford or aftermarket licensed produced units is by the shape of the recess cavity on the backside of the Thunderbird.
Soooo... for me, I'm looking at the INSIDE of the valve cover! 
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By NoShortcuts - 11 Years Ago
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Valve cover trivia gleaned from one mentor who purchased his first 'Bird in '57 (it was a '55 that he still owns) and who has been 'Birding profusely ever since...
1) '55 'Bird covers have some distinguishing difference from '56 and '57 covers. I THINK I was told that it is in the outer top edge of the gasket holding area, perhaps in the shape of the corners at the ends of the covers. For me, this registered as being about as important as the casting date codes on the assortment of scavenged parts on my never-to-be trailer-queen ... 
That said, IF you were buying a used set of covers, you may want to see if the two covers match
2) I'm told that some 'Bird covers produced by Ford over the years (70s, 80s... not sure) and sold at the Ford parts counter came with the perimeter edges of the Thunderbird figure rounded over just as they become on original covers that have been polished umpteen times since new! Pre-aged?  -Likely aggressively polished in the production process.
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