My car is a 1971 ls-5. Does anyone know what the correct valve covers would be ? I understand production numbers under 4000 would have chrome 70 style with twist-on metal oil fill cap and late 71 would be painted with push-on rubber oil fill cap. The chrome covers have many little differences between years and application. I need a good description as to what I need. My car has a production number about 3750.
Also what is the correct part number for the harmonic balancer for this car. ?
Thanks
Paul in El Paso

I thought ALL the LS5s in '71 got the painted valve covers with the push in oil cap. Mine did originally but mine is a late production (7-71) car.

Thanks for the reply. That actually answers half of my question. I new that late 71 covers were painted but not sure of the push-in rubber oil fill plug. My car is early 71. Built 3rd week in August 1970 . So we still need an answer as to early production 71 LS-5 ???

Well,someone out there should know the answer. How about Redman ? He has a early 71 ls-5 like mine. Please help !

Paul454,
not sure if you are referring to me but my car is an LS-3 built September first week in Van Nuys. As far as I know it had painted covers. I think most all did even in early 71 but it could depend on where built. I know some of the vettes still had chrome.

I don’t have time now but I will look later in my parts book and let you know about the balancer if you still need.

Nelson

Hey,thanks for the reply. I thought you had an ls-5. I am still trying to research the early 71 valve covers. Not much out there. One of the repo manufacturers "Crane" actually shows four types for 1971. They say up to production number 4000,chrome is correct. Paul Herds book says "up to end of production run " was chrome. What he means by that is unclear. I have a set of chrome covers that was sworn to me to be 71 ls-5. Taken off a ls-5 car. They have an extra set of small wiring clips on the inside of the covers. May be for the "transmission controlled spark advance" wiring. Also one has a small factory clearance depression on the back. Thats why I need a good description of the correct covers if in deed the early covers were chrome.
Paul

Paul,
One thing for sure if those have an angle depression on the back corner as you describe they are for power brake corvette.

Nelson

Paul,
The original harmonic balancer part # is 3963529.

Nelson

Thanks for the reply. Actually only one of the covers have a very slight depression on the back corner that does not go all the way to the top of the cover. At first glance it looks like a defect but with further study it was put there by the factory. Not the big flat like on a Corvette cover. Also the other odd thing is the two little wire clips on the intake manifold side of one. Also one has the rear wire loom tab moved forward of the rear bolt hole instead of being spotwelded all the way to the rear. Anyone know what these are from for sure ???

I forgot to add that these valve covers were bought with two correct casting number ls-5 heads and were said to have been mated with those heads. Also my car was assembled in Arlington Tx. Too bad Chevy didn't keep better records like Pontiac or Canada

I read on the internet that Jay Leno has a 71 ls-5 car. Said it belonged to his dad. Anybody know how to get in touch with hin ?