How can you tell if the aluminum thunderbird valve covers are real and not reproductions? Is there a casting number?

The underside of the Ford valve covers will have the impression of the Thunderbird cast deep into the top of the cover.  The reproductions do not have this indentation.  Joe-JDC

JDC

                      Thanks for the information.

    Thanks guys for the information. I purchased the valve covers. They are the real deal. Now should I have them buffed or can I do it myself. Also do they clear coat them after there buffed.

I have done a lot of aluminum polishing and buffing and if you haven't done it before you may want to bring them to a shop that can buff them out. You have to make sure you have the right buffing wheels and rouges and with long objects like valve covers you really need a pedestal mounted buffing motor that has a long shaft so you can maneuver the part around without hitting the buffing motor. Putting a buffing wheel on a bench grinder really doesn't work. It also depends on how bad they are now. With regard to "clear coating" them, be careful what you use. Eastwood Company makes products for sealing bare metal. I have also used "Zoops Seal" in the past on an aluminum intake I polished years ago and it has held it's shine very well. Do not use a clear coat in a spray can made for painted surfaces.

Rono

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID