Looking For 289 / 302 Stamped Steel Valve Cover

tkb289 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 01:17 AM

I am looking for standard height stamped steel valve covers for a 289 / 302 motor.

Below is a basic sketch ( I don't have a photo to use) of the valve cover I have seen. The oil filler / breather cap is closest to the radiator, a smaller hole with grommet for PCV is closest to the firewall and POWER BY FORD about in the middle. Both (left and right) valve covers have the same configuration.

Anyone know where to get a set of these valve covers ? I like the simple old school look and would consider them on my ERA 289 street car.

Thanks!

Woodz428 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 05:57 AM

Not to get technical, but they are 2 different beasts. The early 289 covers have a more rounded appearance and the later 289/302 ones are all Blue. Gold ones would be an early 289,1966 all became blue. I have a set of 302 ones that you can have for the shipping. With the take off places in Ca. I'm surprised that you can't find some there ( 289 types).

RodKnock · #3 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 07:31 AM

Tim,

Somewhat tongue-in-cheek, how about a set of these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...e=STRK:MESE:IT

tkb289 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodz428

Not to get technical, but they are 2 different beasts. The early 289 covers have a more rounded appearance and the later 289/302 ones are all Blue. Gold ones would be an early 289,1966 all became blue. I have a set of 302 ones that you can have for the shipping. With the take off places in Ca. I'm surprised that you can't find some there ( 289 types).

WDZ,
Thanks for the details, I had a '65 fastback Mustang years ago and just like you say, it had the gold valve covers. You are correct, I should have been more specific about a valve cover that will fit a 289 or 302 and not implied that they are the same. I believe they are interchangeable, they just look different, correct?

There are a lot of vintage 289 and 302 valve covers available here, but so far I have not found exactly what I am looking for. What I am after are valve covers that have the text & logo embossed into the sheet metal, along with the hole for a PCV setup. Do the valve covers that you have look similar to my 'drawing'?

tkb289 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Tim,

Somewhat tongue-in-cheek, how about a set of these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...e=STRK:MESE:IT

Rodney,
Those are cool and would look even better on a motor with Webers!

Since I am headed for more of the 'street' look, these won't do and there is no provision for a PCV valve. I do like the stickers ... do you know where to get them? Thanks!

P.S. If I do find some valve covers I like ... I will have to consult you on what color to paint them ...

DAVID GAGNARD · #6 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 12:16 PM

Tim:

Quote:

There are a lot of vintage 289 and 302 valve covers available here, but so far I have not found exactly what I am looking for. What I am after are valve covers that have the text & logo embossed into the sheet metal, along with the hole for a PCV setup. Do the valve covers that you have look similar to my 'drawing'?

I have 4 pair of factory valve covers with the "Powered By Ford" raised logo on them,but, one side has the oil breather/filler hole and the other side has the PCV hole, both have the logo......looking at them, I have 2 different types of logos.....3 pairs are identical and one pair has the same basic logo, but scripted a little different from the other, maybe an older set, not sure..........

David

tkb289 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAVID GAGNARD

Tim:

I have 4 pair of factory valve covers with the "Powered By Ford" raised logo on them,but, one side has the oil breather/filler hole and the other side has the PCV hole, both have the logo......looking at them, I have 2 different types of logos.....3 pairs are identical and one pair has the same basic logo, but scripted a little different from the other, maybe an older set, not sure..........

David

David,

Sounds like you have pretty close to what I am looking for ... thanks!

Sent you a PM

spl310 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 02:28 PM

If you want your car to look right, you should get the 289 style valve cover. I have a couple of sets of those. Ford changed design in 67 to the ones that are all one level and they had no script. In 68, they added the Powered by Ford script. I like the 289 style myself...

Woodz428 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkb289

WDZ,
Thanks for the details,I believe they are interchangeable, they just look different, correct?

Do the valve covers that you have look similar to my 'drawing'?

Yes they interchange, as far as bolting to the heads. The covers I have are just like what you have shown, but they aren't gold, that's why I asked the question.

ack fia · #10 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 06:46 PM

IMO if you want the original 289 FIA look you need the early full round covers as shown in my picture (gallery) "after webers".

tkb289 · #11 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodz428

Yes they interchange, as far as bolting to the heads. The covers I have are just like what you have shown, but they aren't gold, that's why I asked the question.

WDZ,

As I recall, in the photo I saw, the valve covers looked like they were plated with a gold tinge to it, almost like yellow chromated zinc plating, not painted. Sent you a PM.

tkb289 · #12 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ack fia

IMO if you want the original 289 FIA look you need the early full round covers as shown in my picture (gallery) "after webers".

ack ... saw the photos in your gallery and could not agree more ... for the original 289 FIA, the round covers are they way to go. You have one beautiful setup, love it!

As I put in my post, I am going for more of the 'street' looking car ... no hood scoop or oil cooler opening. I need to run some type of PCV setup and like the look of the stamped steel valve covers. So in my case, I thought some of the slightly later sheet metal valve covers would be good, rather than the race setup or the cast valve covers ... something a bit different and down the road easy to change.

Woodz428 · #13 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkb289

WDZ,

As I recall, in the photo I saw, the valve covers looked like they were plated with a gold tinge to it, almost like yellow chromated zinc plating, not painted. Sent you a PM.

Originals were painted, it was the cheapest way to go. If done now it might make for a longer lasting finish if they were anodized or powder coated. Zinc chromate is an option, but I think it was cost prohibitive at the time...although there were zinc chromate components, I am pretty sure they were just paint originally. Over time they get nicked, especially if it was a solid cam motor that needed regular valve adjustments.

wicked fast · #14 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 08:12 PM

TKB289,

Here is a pair I bought a while ago to use
on a GT40 project that got sidelined.

These are the early style.

Search for Rick Parker, he did a 289 right on !!

Best,
BC

DAVID GAGNARD · #15 (**permalink**) 03-05-2010, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkb289

David,

Sounds like you have pretty close to what I am looking for ... thanks!

Sent you a PM

Tim;replied to your PM.

David

tkb289 · #16 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wicked fast

TKB289,

Here is a pair I bought a while ago to use
on a GT40 project that got sidelined.

These are the early style.

Search for Rick Parker, he did a 289 right on !!

Best,
BC

BC,

Thanks for posting, looks like with some TLC the valve covers you have would look great. I have seen the valve covers Rick Parker has made, you are right, they are beautiful!

I think a couple of the guys have some of the later 302 valve covers that should be just what I am looking for, so for now I am set. Thanks.