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.


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

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!

NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

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.

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

If you have a decent 1957 TBird distributor, FEJ - A2 I have several sets too use as swap material.

Mike, 57 "D" & 57 "E"

Rocketman 88

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 

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

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

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

I'm just curious ...How do you tell the originals from the reproductions?

Thanks

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.....

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

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

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

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire