custom valve covers

[Burdar]

Looking for opinion/options on how to get this done...

I've got fabricated aluminum valve covers but I don't want to leave them bare aluminum.  I'm planning on painting them with Eastwood's Extreme Chassis Black.(satin)  It's a really nice color and hopefully it will hold up.  The problem is that black is kind of boring.  I want to add a little detail to the covers.  I was looking online at valve cover pictures and came upon these two.

I've got some 1/4" thick aluminum and was thinking about making some pieces to attach to the top.  I'd probably cut them about 5/8" wide to start with.  Then, by the time I sand and polish them, they would be between 1/2" and 9/16".  I'd make them two piece so they would be on each side of the breather like the second picture.(basically wide like the first picture but two piece like the second picture)

So, I'm looking for ideas on how to attach them.  If I wanted visible fasteners, I'd just install some rivnuts in the covers and screw them on with button head allen head fasteners.  I don't think I want visible fasteners though.  I could just glue them on but I'd be gluing on top of paint.  Then there is the fact that I don't want someone at a show to pull them off.(sad that you have to think about that sort of thing)  I could drill and tap some holes on the bottom side but then I'd run the risk of a fastener loosening up and falling into the engine.   

Any ideas welcome.

[Cuda Cody]

Avoid gluing to rattle can paint.  Those are going to get pretty warm and I would not feel very comfortable with glue.     The nutsert idea is a pretty good one, but then you open up the chancing of it leaking.

You could do some custom taping and airbrushing?   

[Chryco Psycho]

Tack weld & Powder coat,,,  who is the girl that does the awesome powder coat work ?

[70/6chall]

Ok guys, here they are.   Thanks,   Al

[dave73]

I'm in here to hear the ideas...

I was researching the same topic a few months back. My adventure stopped once I received my fabricated valve covers that won't clear my distributor
on my 440. Eventually I'll have them modified but it's on the back burner for now.

[Burdar]

Powder coating is an option but it's my last option.  I'm not spending that kind of money on valve covers since the car isn't even painted yet.  I'd probably have $300 into them before it was all said and done.  I've already got the aluminum so it wouldn't cost me anything to make them. 

I don't think the rivnuts would leak if I put some of that pipe paste on it before installation.  The fasteners would get a coating of it too.  People suggest that stuff for intake bolts so oil doesn't wick up the threads.  I just don't think I want a visible fastener.  The valve cover attaching bolts are already visible...more would look too busy I think.

Last night I had another thought.  If I used a thicker material, I could cut threads on the bottom side.  Then I could locktite in some short pieces of allthread.  That would let me use a nut on the bottom side.  I could drill a hole through the side of the threaded rod and install a cotter pin so the nut wouldn't be able to fall into the engine.  Don't know, just trying to think outside the box. 

I guess I could remove the paint from the area underneath the pieces and attach with a light film of 100% clear silicone.  At least it would be attached to metal and not paint. 

I do appreciate the thoughts so far.  I just need to think about this some more.

[dave73]

I like the design in the second picture. I like Neil's idea of tack weld and powder coat (or paint if you want). At least with the tack weld, you don't have to worry about leaks or anything losing adhesion and falling off.

[Shane Kelley]

Guys, The Eastwood powder coating set up is very inexpensive to buy and very easy to use. I use it all the time. The hot rod textured black is pretty awesome. The chrome is pretty nice also. It's easier to get professional results than using a paint can. No dirt or runs to contend with.

[76orangewagon]

I custom made a set for my Duster that started out as cast Aluminum pieces from Mopar Performance, I first had them polished then made billet spacers and painted them to match the body colors..

[Burdar]

This is what I'm after.  Should look kind of cool if I can pull it off.

[Brads70]

Funny I've always found the options for Mopar valve covers to be slim pickings options wise. I simply ended up with what fit my roller rocker set up. 

[jimynick]

Since you're looking for some visible "bling" what about drilling say 4 holes equidistantly in those strips and use a short bolt from inside the cover holding them on with chrome or SS acorn nuts on the outside?   

[Burdar]

If I go with a visible fastener, I'll just use rivnuts in the covers and button head screws with an allen head.  The accessory brackets all have allen head fasteners and the custom air cleaner fastener will have an allen head as well.  I just like the cleaner look of no visible fasteners but we will see what happens.

I cut out the pieces on a table saw last night.  I sandwiched them together so I can sand on both of them at the same time to make them identical.  I've got one side all sanded smooth so far.(saw marks removed)

[Burdar]

So far so good.  It's fun making small things like this that don't cost    I like the shape.  Just slightly rounded (convex)on the outer edge and rounded "concave" next to the breather.  I've got the major scratches sanded out with 100 grit.  Now I need to progressively get finer and finer before polishing.  I'll probably need some polishing tips for aluminum.  I've polished a few aluminum things before but I keep getting waves in the finish.  Compound sticks to the part and when I wipe it away with thinner, there are waves.  Anyway, I think I'm going to like this little detail.

[nsmall]

This is what I'm after.  Should look kind of cool if I can pull it off.

Yes.  Go for it.  Looks awesome.  I know you can do it.  Do it now before the new baby drains your checking account.  Is this for the dart?