Steel Valve covers VS Aluminum

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Richie

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Hi everybody:

I kind of like these Milodon valve covers and was wonder if anyone else had a set. Also I've heard pros and cons about the aluminum ones. I like the steel ones but what do you guys think?

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I'm not a fan of chrome parts on my engines because the moisture gets to them and you always need to polish it to keep it from rusting

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Not a lot different about aluminum either, as it gets messed up as well.
There are only two things important about valve covers in my mind, and that is looks and/or function.
I don't need fabbed aluminum covers for rocker clearances but I like the looks of them and how well they seal on a machined flat head rail.

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Love the smooth as cast AL covers (B-1) . Wish Summit would bring them back! check these out...
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Make sure AL seals by the runners, many dont. Monochromatic motors look nice with stock painted valve covers, ie. everything painted the same color. Mix and match paint/silver AL heads intake, water pump...needs contrasting valve covers. Painted covers on bare AL heads looks...like you forgot something.
 
i always liked the steel. back in the day i used to use chrome...

alum. probably dissipates heat better though..

these days i prefer all one color.. chrome valve covers have been painted with the rest of the engine..

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Yes it's funny how tastes can change. Especially if you see something at a car show, picture or in a parking lot somewhere that just tickles your fancy and when you do see it you think... "I never thought I would have liked that" :)
 
I've never been into "flash". To me, no nonsense industrial looks the best. Just made to do the job period. Thus, I like steelies painted engine color and some of the more plain jane aluminum units.
 
I like retro M/T covers. I have a nicely polished set ready to go. They bring back some nostalgia for me, I had them on a '71 'Cuda 340 pistol grip car I should have never sold. Family came first, I had to sell it. I did pick up both kids from the hospital after they were born with it. The nurses just shook there heads. It ran low 11's and the whole car shook at idle. The kids did love it though.
 
Steel all the way. I see no reason for the big fabricated aluminium covers unless you need the rocker clearance. Most of us don't.

I'm planning on painting the whole block silver and then fitting a black sump and covers. I ordered these Aeroflow units which were less than AUD$60 delivered for the pair and fit up nicely:

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Aluminum here for me also, I like the better sealing from the thicker rail and the ribbed ones look suuuper cool to me... vintage M/Ts are my go-to they are always on eBay for $50-100, much cheaper than the MP ones
 
One of my regular customer's builds fell through and he has a pair of black wrinkle MPs for a big block here at my shop. He wants $50 plus shipping. (Message me for details so as not to clutter the thread.)
 
One of my regular customer's builds fell through and he has a pair of black wrinkle MPs for a big block here at my shop. He wants $50 plus shipping. (Message me for details so as not to clutter the thread.)

Happy Birthday showoff. :D
Damn you do nice work.
 
Thank you Beastie!! From what I've seen, so do you.
< hug >
Now if I was showing off I'd have posted forty more pictures. Those are merely teasers lol ..... that's why I made a Garage Album. So far it has 1 Like. Lol
 
I personally don't like a lot of bling bling in the engine bay but i like i like the looks of these fabricated covers also and they match the radiator [plus people always ask 383 or 440??].
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