Do Your Own Staggering

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DS: I picked up a builder 283ci out of a 1964 El Camino to put into my '65 Malibu (currently with 230ci). It has the heads that have the offset bolt holes for the valve covers. The only problem is that someone beat me to the valve covers. I have tried a few salvage yards, but no luck. Does anyone know of a source for valve covers that will work on these heads?

JD: Those heads are from the mid-to-late '50s. Looks like someone did a head or engine swap on that El Camino. I'm not sure of the exact year they went to non-staggered bolt holes ('57 or '58).

JD: I would suggest that you purchase the valve covers you like and do some surgery. Many of the small block Chevy valve cover gaskets you can purchase are cut for both bolt patterns. Use the gasket to lay out the staggered bolt holes and use an appropriately-sized drill with a hand drill motor to cut the new holes.

BT: Try some of the 1955 through 1957 Chevy supply houses; they probably sell them.

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Archivist: Tom Wilson


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