Robert from Kansas City, I enjoy restoring cars from the 50's (actually Chevrolets). I'm just a hobbyist, but I've been doing it since the mid 80's. I was referred to your forum by a fellow HAMB member (LongStroke) as I recently began collecting parts for a traditional hot rod I'm building.
It's a '31 Chevrolet coach w/ a 5 inch chop. I'm currently building the frame, nothing radical. Now before you jump me for building a Chevy on a Pontiac site, I will proudly say it has a '57 Canadian Pontiac 283 going in it.
Picked it up off the local CraigsList, dirty, greasy and was told it smoked. So in hitting with the power washer the orange paint started coming off to uncover a dark green. Never saw that before, research told me it could be a Canadian Pontiac 283.
So I've been trolling around reading as much as I could about them.
I found these would have had a PONTIAC script valve cover (mine had old worn orange Chevrolet script). So if anyone knows where I could aquire a set of those original valve covers feel free to let me know (yes I've heard they are hard to find, impossible here in the states).
Second time this week we have had an inquiry about the uber-rare PONTIAC scripted valve covers for the tri 5s 265 and 283 small blocks. These valve covers have staggered bolt holes and will only fit heads with staggered holes. These heads were used on Canadian Pontiacs from 55 -62. I am going to show you a picture of the pair I have which are not for sale. I've got about $300 Canadian in them at this point. The paint is Detroit Diesel Green which is as close to original as you will likely find. Your best bet for finding these valve covers is an abandoned field car that has been untouched. Any car that was used or used up is generally missing these as heads have been changed to straight offset bolt holes over the years.
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Ray White, Toronto ON
Formerly - The one and only 1973 LeMans 454 "Astro-Jet"
Welcome from Canada's east coast. Good luck with the covers.
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Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
There is a '56 for parts or restore on kijiji now that looks to have those valve covers, perhaps you could make a deal with him? I believe he is a board member as well. See ad and thread below:
