I am looking for some ideas on improving the looks of my engine bay. I plan to replace the valve covers with a chevy logo, add chrome heater hoses and a chrome flexiable radiator hose. Let me know if you have any other ideas. Thanks in advance.

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee313/Timbrr/Engine001.jpg

Tim, You have enough stuff going on in that bay for a couple of cars. Not your fault,it's just the way it is. Instead of adding chrome that you can't see,or hoses that will add to the confusion,just take care of what is there. What I mean is,detail your existing engine compartment back to original. Taking parts off,cleaning and painting,replace stickers with new ones,things like that. It sure is a heck of a lot cheaper! Just my opinion,thats all...Bob

2nd that!!!
If you add more.. it will get lost with rest.
I like it the way it is!!!
Don't cheapen it with anything either.

Tim, You have enough stuff going on in that bay for a couple of cars. Not your fault,it's just the way it is. Instead of adding chrome that you can't see,or hoses that will add to the confusion,just take care of what is there. What I mean is,detail your existing engine compartment back to original. Taking parts off,cleaning and painting,replace stickers with new ones,things like that. It sure is a heck of a lot cheaper! Just my opinion,thats all...Bob

Thanks, Bob, I think you are right on the money. A good detailing might improve the heck out things.

One more thing, anyone know a good place to get Original valve covers? Thanks

Another vote for a good detailing.

I believe that under hood dress up parts should be applied with a theme in mind, some sort of logic. Example: If you are going to commit to chroming some hoses, why not all of them. I think a tasteful set of chrome v/c, a chrome air cleaner lid and perhaps a chrome M/C cover would contrast better under your hood than a few chrome hoses.

Tim, lose the Blue plug wires for black, and try a set of these. Try a chrome air cleaner and stay away from a chrome hose here/a chrome hose there. You don't want an engine compartment thats to eclectic
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TRD-6603/

You're free to disagree with me, but to me, adding a few chrome hoses to an otherwise stock engine compartment is like adding a pair of mud flaps. The ones with the silhouette of the woman. Or gold plating your one remaining tooth.

If you don't plan on updating almost everything under the hood, I'd stick with the recommendations to clean, detail, and properly repaint items under the hood.

I agree with the above responses and if it were mine and I just had to do more I would get a set of FACTORY Corvette (1970)finned aluminum covers, maybe a aluminum intake, and a factory dual snokel air cleaner base with a factory chrome lid. Basically factory Corvette parts.

You're free to disagree with me, but to me, adding a few chrome hoses to an otherwise stock engine compartment is like adding a pair of mud flaps. The ones with the silhouette of the woman. Or gold plating your one remaining tooth.

If you don't plan on updating almost everything under the hood, I'd stick with the recommendations to clean, detail, and properly repaint items under the hood.

You are right on the money with this one. I'm beginning to think a good detailing, adding some factory stock items and repainting will be the ticket.

Its all in the details...there are alot of ways to make it look GOOD. I
personally like clean look. hiding things, redoing wiring and vacumn hoses
black wires would help....Please check out my picture albums and see what I did on my 69 Camaro and 67 Elcamino that has factory a/c also
I hid wires inside steel tubes and on Camaro I came up with plug wires inside 1 in steel tubes custom made...hope it gives you a couple ideas Jay

Whatever you do, don't add one of those universal chrome radiator hoses. Nothing says half assed like that.

IMO stock appearing always looks the best....I wish I had thought like this 4 years ago when I installed all the chrome and braided hoses ETC on my car.

I think it looks good as-is with a little detailing. You are not too far from a stock look now, Just finish the job and keep cruising.

LK

Looks pretty clean the way it is. Is that a 72? Looks real good. Stock engine bays are pretty rare these days. Who even remembers what one looks like!? LOL!

I like the origional look it has. The blue wires look out of place. Get origional battery cables to finish it off and lose the strap on top of the battery.

Not much to do there...pretty clean and pretty much almost stock looking already....good ole parts store spark plug wires are usually dark grey or sometimes black..so thats an easy fix for the blue wires..
Look for some stock valve covers on ebay or run a wanted ad here in the TC classifieds. Maybe add a new cad plated brake booster.
JMHO

[QUOTE=matt's66;2739233]Looks pretty clean the way it is. Is that a 72? Looks real good. Stock engine bays are pretty rare these days. Who even remembers what one looks like!? LOL![/QUOT

Its a 71, looks like I am going clean, polish and get it back to a stock apperance.:beers:

I like the origional look it has. The blue wires look out of place. Get origional battery cables to finish it off and lose the strap on top of the battery.

Agreed, get some black wires, stock v covers and call it good.

I have modified several cars that I have owned. I am like the rest here.....I would put it back to stock appearing as much as possible. I would forget the chrome look. Never thought I would think clean, factory stock looking is the best. You just don't see it these days and it does make one look sharp.....not the cluttered up look.

I agree, you have to be consistent with hoses/wires, etc. You just need a real good cleanup. There is a lot going on under there.

I just finished detailing and dressing up under the hood of my '72 a few weeks ago. I fogged/painted the firewall flat black, painted the booster and MC gloss black, cleaned everything the best I could, re-coated headers, covered all wiring with plastic tubing, coated all rubber lines with braided steel, and shined up all the chrome. There is a lot less going on under the hood on mine though.

http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz42/jlk72355/PIC_0099.jpg

http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz42/jlk72355/PIC_0100.jpg

http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz42/jlk72355/PIC_0102.jpg

As mentioned, detail it and keep it clean. All that chrome you are suggesting takes away from the nice appearance you have now IMO.

Tim you've got a good start there. My suggestion would be if you want a little performance factory look (since you have the headers) consider ditching the chrome valve covers for some early Z28 aluminum ones. They have a nice clean factory performance look but aren't gaudy. Get a cad booster, lose the blue wires and get some nice hinges and latches. Most guys would kill for a nice complete bay like that, good luck....

I agree with the above responses and if it were mine and I just had to do more I would get a set of FACTORY Corvette (1970)finned aluminum covers, maybe a aluminum intake, and a factory dual snokel air cleaner base with a factory chrome lid. Basically factory Corvette parts.

I agree, I like some of the corvette parts under the hood as well, just factory stuff, no aftermarket.

As some of the others said keep it stock,as you have something nice to work with! Just a word of caution,things may get out of control
once you get started. Ask me how I know.;)

http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr295/gspitz/DSC00507.jpg

Go original--don't add more shiny stuff. An original engine compartment is beautiful.