BUILD THREAD Project Olds Cool (Recognition!!)

[08Malibu]

Why would this matter? Just trying to learn. Thanks

Depending on how dry the primer is, the scratches can heal. I know most of the primer is old but it always seems to shrink a bit when you spray over it. I know it’s probably more of an issue in the collision business since your more pressed for time.
The shop I first worked at had an issue with bumpers peeling when we first switched to water borne. The guys were bailing the primer on bumpers, and we were painting them the next day. Quite a few came back peeling. We sent it out to be analyzed and they said the scratches were too fine. We were finish sanding with 800, which is what was required, but the primer was off gassing and causing the paint to lift. At least that was what we were told.

 

[Rktpwrd]

So I’ve kinda been holding out on y’all that didn’t see my post in the “What did you buy for your G Body Today” thread.

Our beloved Turna PM’d me on these unique valve covers that he found on eBay. I waffled at first as I’ve already gone through two sets of covers searching for just the right “look”, but the more I thought about them, the more convinced I became that I wanted them. If nothing else, they were so different that I could just paint them up all pretty and hang ‘em on the wall as garage art:

What makes them so unique is that they’re small block Chevy size and bolt pattern, yet they very obviously say Oldsmobile on them. I’ve since learned from fleming442 and streetbu that these were actually available through the GM Performance Parts catalog, and were originally sanctioned by and for Nascar after Olds got out of racing but were still using Olds bodied cars.

Anyways, enough history lesson.

After I got them in my possession, I started thinking a little more seriously about actually using them. They’d need a little work to become functional, as they didn’t have oil fill, breather or PCV holes. As much as I really didn’t want to, I nutted up and drilled each cover for the needed grommets. This is where having a little bench mounted drill press really comes in handy.

Drilled, and the grommets in place:

The staining is from the aluminum cutting fluid I used, it easily cleans off with some wax and grease remover. Next I put a nice straight-line brushed finish on the letters with a little 80 grit on a block.

With the letters now easy to clean off, I slathered both of them in liberal amounts of Corporate Blue and let them dry. Once dry enough to handle, I spent an hour or so playing with some Q-tips dipped in lacquer thinner.

I worked on them upside down because the way the tops are slightly angled, it made it much easier. Doing this isn’t as tedious as you might think, and it’s actually quite rewarding.

These will still need some sort of baffling put in place so that the PCV valve doesn’t suck oil, but after researching some options, I’ve decided that I’m going to use some special baffled grommets that are available from Moroso and a few others.

With that decision made, tonight I was able to install them:

Success!
I finally have the look I was wanting all along, something that looked unique and special, like perhaps it could’ve been a rare factory option, or only available on a special order .

I know you guys are either going to love (Scott, me) or hate them (Zach 😉) but they’re there to stay. Personally, I’m very pleased with them.

D.





P.S - Does anybody wanna buy some nice valve covers with only a couple of starts but zero miles on them?
Seriously. PM me if interested.

 

[Turbo Zach]

So I’ve kinda been holding out on y’all that didn’t see my post in “What did you buy for your G Body Today” thread.

Our beloved Turna PM’d me on these unique valve covers that he found on eBay. I waffled are first as I’ve already gone through two sets of covers searching for just the right “look”, but the more I thought about them, the more convinced I became that I wanted them. If nothing else, they were so different that I could just paint them up all pretty and hang ‘em on the wall as garage art:

View attachment 146562

View attachment 146560

View attachment 146561

What makes them so unique is that they’re small block Chevy size and bolt pattern, yet they very obviously say Oldsmobile on them. I’ve since learned from fleming442 and streetbu that these were actually available through the GM Performance Parts catalog, and were originally sanctioned by and for Nascar after Olds got out of racing but were still using Olds bodied cars.

Anyways, enough history lesson.

After I got them in my possession, I started thinking a little more seriously about actually using them. They’d need a little work to become functional, as they didn’t have oil fill, breather or PCV holes. As much as I really didn’t want to, I nutted up and drilled each cover for the needed grommets. This is where having a little bench mounted drill press really comes in handy.

Drilled, and the grommets in place:

View attachment 146565

The staining is from the aluminum cutting fluid I used, it easily cleans off with some wax and grease remover. Next I put a nice straight-line brushed finish on the letters with a little 80 grit on a block.

View attachment 146563

View attachment 146564

With the letters now easy to clean off, I slathered both of them in liberal amounts of Corporate Blue and let them dry. Once dry enough to handle, I spent an hour or so playing with some Q-tips dipped in lacquer thinner.

View attachment 146566

View attachment 146567

View attachment 146568

I worked on them upside down because the way the tops are slightly angled, it made it much easier. Doing this isn’t as tedious as you might think, and it’s actually quite rewarding.

These will still need some sort of baffling put in place so that the PCV valve doesn’t suck oil, but after researching some options, I’ve decided that I’m going to use some special baffled grommets that are available from Moroso and a few others.

With that decision made, tonight I was able to install them:

View attachment 146571

View attachment 146570

Success!
I finally have the look I was wanting all along, something that looked unique and special, like perhaps it could’ve been a rare factory option, or only available on a special order .

I know you guys are either going to love (Scott, me) or hate them (Zach 😉) but they’re there to stay. Personally, I’m very pleased with them.

D.





P.S - Does anybody wanna buy some nice valve covers with only a couple of starts but zero miles on them?
Seriously. PM me if interested.

They look good. Do it like he did not like me. I do like the other covers better though.

 

[08Malibu]

Those baffled grommets didn’t work on my 305. I had to add real baffles. It may have been because my engine is pretty tired though.

 

[fleming442]

No comment

 

[old80cs]

I’ve never seen a SBC pattern Oldsmobile lettered valve cover, very interesting. I think it they look great. 👍

 

[64nailhead]

Those baffled grommets didn’t work on my 305. I had to add real baffles. It may have been because my engine is pretty tired though.

If the lack of baffle turns problematic (sucking oil), then adding a baffle on the underside is not challenging if you have access to someone that can MIG or TIG them - I've had the same issue of sucking oil.

 

[69hurstolds]

I like them. Best part of that engine. Now, just match it up with the same shade as the rest of the engine and they would look like they came from the factory. 🙂

They should have put those on every factory SBC powered Olds.

 

[ssn696]

Now you need headers. Scope creep.

BTW...What's the fastest color?

 

[Rktpwrd]

I’ve never seen a SBC pattern Oldsmobile lettered valve cover, very interesting. I think it they look great. 👍

Thanks Mike, I think they turned out nice. Just how I had pictured them.

If the lack of baffle turns problematic (sucking oil), then adding a baffle on the underside is not challenging if you have access to someone that can MIG or TIG them - I've had the same issue of sucking oil.

Agreed Jim. Adding physical baffles under these covers isn’t out of the question of the grommet style ones don’t work. I’ve already got my eye on a set that I’ll try if it comes to that.

I like them. Best part of that engine. Now, just match it up with the same shade as the rest of the engine and they would look like they came from the factory. 🙂

They should have put those on every factory SBC powered Olds.

Ugh. Don’t even get me started on color matching it to the rest of the engine. The manufacturer of the spray paint I used on the block and intake I can’t find or get here in Canuckistan anymore.
This is the closest I could get to it, let’s just leave it at that.

Now you need headers. Scope creep.

BTW...What's the fastest color?

Already have a set waiting to go on, they just need blasting and ceramic coating, plus a double hump crossmember and some modifications to the exhaust.

Not sure what you mean with your “fastest color” question??