Zap Racing

Does anybody make clear, see-through valve covers?

I saw some on a show car years ago, and they looked pretty cool, but I've never been able to find any!

Thanks.
Craig

jrg77

As soon as you started the engine up you'd want your money back, as the oil splashed on them would obscure any view of the valvetrain.
In addition unless your rockes say Jesel or T&D on them they ain't worth seein anyway...

Zap Racing

Maybe not! I still think they would be cool--at least I'd know they were oiling! They would definaely be a topic of discussion at the Sat night car shows/meets!!!

thebigwelsh

Not true. I start up engines all the time with the valve covers off. As logn as its JUST idling it wont be shooting all over gods green earth.

jrg77

Forgive me, but function should always be preferenced before form.

Apeiron

Yes, and the function of the rocker covers is to keep the oil in. I wouldn't want them, personally, but it doesn't seem like they would fail to meet that objective just because they were clear.

SSC

It's a show car item, you know those engines that have 6K+ in them and will never see oil. A few heat cycles with splashing oil will make them turn completly white. Yea they would look

Zap Racing

I agree!!

Zap Racing

I disagree--if the correct type of plastic is used the temps that oil get to (even if your car overheated) will not cloud them. That I know for a fact! Which type of plastic--I do not know--I'm not a metalurgist, or in this case I guess that would be plasticurgist!

jrg77

They would also have to be extremely good at shedding oil.

Heat resistance, oil shedding, and transparency all in one plastic?

I'm from Missouri...

Zap Racing

I'm from Texas.....it's already been proven! Probably somebody from Texas did it!

ME Leigh

I've seen them for sale before. I can't remember where but i saw them a couple of time. Look in race car catologs and search the web, or ebay. Nothings to hard to find these days !

But they are pretty expensive $100+

Zap Racing

100.00 is not all that expensive, considering the price of some of the hand formed alum. are in the 300.00 range.

AlkyIROC

You would like to see what's under my valve covers but I wouldn't spend the money on clear covers. The plastic will turn white after it's been cooked by the oil and you'll never see what's under the covers while the engine has been running for a while. For the inside of the covers to be perfectly clean for display, you're still going to have to remove them to clean them right up. Oil residue will always be stuck on the inside.

There's always the chance of the plastic cracking and causing a leak.

I suppose you'd want some neon lights on the inside also?

Apeiron

Let's not get carried away. LEDs would be perfectly adequate.

Zap Racing

BITE ME!!!!!!!

Apparently I'm not the only one who has thought about this. Below is a link for this co. that is coming out with them!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.cleargearz.com/

Look on the new products area!

Regardless of what others think, I WILL have some as soon as they are available.

DAVECS1

iTrader: (2)

Probably not the best way to handle your comeback "Bite me" , but I agree that this item would work. I have used many composite covers, noteably the ones from comp cams, and many OEMs use alot of plastic in the newer engines. As far as the oil depositing onto the covers, I have no idea what you guys are using for oil or how long you are waiting to change your oil, but when I remove my valve covers they do not have oil or deposits on the inside of them. I have seen the clear plastic valve covers and differential covers, I personally think they are pretty neat, and a good idea. I wouldn't mind being able to inspect my valvetrain after a high RPM blast down the strip, without having to touch one bolt.

Zap Racing

Yes, I agree, but it seemed appropiate and on the same level of intelligance!

Zap Racing

Personally, I change the oil when it starts getting darker regardless of how many miles it has been. I don't know what some "other" people do, but having raced drag cars as well as several sucessful years racing circle track car ( including one year as crew chief on a local season points winning sprint car) changing oil at a time or mileage interval is about the stupidest concept I have ever heard. When it gets dirty--IT'S TIME TO CHANGE IT! I don't have all the time and money in my IROC so I can abuse it.

Token

Someone must not understand the purpose of valve covers. They're just going to get really really dirty, really fast. It's honestly the dumbest idea you can waste money on. If you're going to use it to see what color your oil is, wow just use the dipstick.

SSC

Well for a fact the one on the market do turn white if used on a engine that runs same as the clear distributor cap which doesent see oil at all. There a hose place across from our shop, the guy does hyd crap for low riders thats where Ive seen the clear VC and what happens to them. I dont think there is a material out there that would hold up in this situation. Of course we could hold out for transparent aluminum.

Zap Racing

ONLY if Scotty will give the formula!

Zap Racing

Well, everybody IS entitled to their own personal opinion!

DAVECS1

iTrader: (2)

Yea I guess checking all the retainers and lockdowns on your roller rockers after turning 6000-6500 rpm for an extended amount of time, would be useless. The term "Plastic" I think may be confusing people. What could be used is a poly class filled resin impregnated with silicon (the same stuff that is on your spark plug wires and seals). No it is not transparent aluminum, but it is very strong and heat resistant, and if you look at some of your sensors, you can touch it first hand. We actually use a clear resin when we are testing sensors on prove design machines and such, so we can check for moisture entry problems and what not.

DAVECS1

iTrader: (2)

I guess to throw some fuel on the fire, honestly the dumbest thing you can waste money on is the TORNADO or Leaf blower supercharger. It is my opinion clear valve covers have much more merit than those things. As far as the valve covers getting dirty, that is a personal hygiene thing. My valve covers stay VERY VERY VERY clean!

ME Leigh

Its not the dirt in the oil that the problem. Its the acid buildup, which is a product of the combustion process that is. This is why synthetic oils are better, they tend not to get ruined by the combustion process as fast.

Its a good idea to change your oil every 3 months anyway regardless of mileage to get rid of the destructive chemicals and acids now in the oil.

JAVY56

Hello,
I've had these valve covers on my 56 Chevy since 1996 which I made.
Not sure if pictures showed. New to posting pictures.
www.jandjengineeringinc.com
thanks

JAVY56

TOKEN,
Not sure how to highlight your post ???
"Someone must not understand the purpose of valve covers. They're just going to get really really dirty, really fast. It's honestly the dumbest idea you can waste money on. If you're going to use it to see what color your oil is, wow just use the dipstick."

I can always be sure oil is trickling out of push rods for comfort.
Couple of years ago , covers became cloudy even though dipstick was clean.
Turned out my intake manifold was loose from rear bolts and coolant was seeping through. Tightened them up , changed oil and all is good. I made them for cosmetic reasons but there have been advantages.
thanks
Javy56

jt1562000

Javy...I really like those! I can see many advantages to being able to see the valve train without having to pull the covers. I think completely clear valve covers would be a little too much, but that window is a great idea.

I have a set of valve covers that I ran on my dirt track car that has a removable panel right where your clear window is. It makes valve lash adjustment and valve checks really easy between races. I may look into changing the panel out for a removable window.

Couperdecar

Theres a set now on flea-bay. $175

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...13132768302503

DENN_SHAH

iTrader: (1)

sadly Craig, or Zap Racing as he was know here is no longer with us.
if you had only came here a few years sooner JAVY, im sure Craig would have loved to see your motor with those valve covers on it.

Couperdecar

My condolences

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

When I saw the thread title, I expected to see 100% acrylic/lexan valve covers, not just clear insert tops.

Anybody ever seen 100% clear ones?

86_irocz-28

if u really want them heres a link for a pair
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/clear...mZ230246522516

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

Here is a listing for the original ones, be aware the seller is likely a crack addict seeing what his asking price is

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-VINTAGE-...#ht_500wt_1180