Hello All !

Just purchased a set of the AMD 1971 Big Block Steel ( Zinc ? ) Valve Covers . Couple questions please ............

1) Should I "Prime" them PRIOR to painting Orange ? ( If so ... What primer ? )

2) BEST Orange paint ? ( Mopar Paint ? VHT ? or "?" ..... )

Thank You All for any / All Professional advice !

I just got a set of them last week myself. I going to primer mine with high temp (500 degree) ceramic primer, then shoot them with Mopar engine paint (street hemi orange). I've always had good luck with the Mopar brand engine paint, but it all begins with how you prep the item first before primer & paint.

I was kinda thinking same thing ..... May I ask what brand primer you're

going to use ?

I'm going to use Dupli-Color high heat ceramic gray primer, good to 500 degrees. Think I got it a Napa. Make sure you fellow the directions on the back of the can. Also clean your valve covers well with something like CRC's Breakleen or even paint thinner before you prime.

THANK YOU !

Just another real world experience; my original valve covers were blasted and in etch primer when I received them. From there, I had a small dent in one of them. I actually used filler on the dent and used RM filler primer that you would use on body panels, block sanded them and then shot them with Mopar rattle can. They've been done for around 4-5 years and I've had no issues; the combo has been very durable.

THANK YOU ! Appreciate your input ! Seeing as that these are "New"

and look pretty nice 'Out of the Box' I believe I'm going to go with just the primer

then 'Rattle Can' with the Mopar 'Hemi Orange paint ...... I ordered some primer

& paint and will let you know how they come out in a week or so .....

Are you positive they're '71's? I ordered a set from Summit and they were '70s in 71 boxes...returned to Summit no problem, but they were AMDs...

Yes , Received them from Stephen's Performance Part Number 335-1071 ( R&L )

They must be back in stock, got these when I tested the water for '71s

Yes , those appear to be 1970 covers as mine have the "bump" on

the PCV valve side cover which is for 1971 ?

My 1971 Challenger R/T has several pieces ( Console for one ) that are 1970

as the car was built in September / 1970 ........

After looking AGAIN ..... Looks like you have one 1970 & one 1971 ?????

Yep that's what they sent, one label on box said 70...pcv is on driver side...sent them back and used my originals that needed a little work

IMO the pair above would be correct for early '71

LH driver's side received an additional un-punched hump towards the front during the '71 model year
(this made the valve cover stampings identical left to right before any piercing and/or welded on brackets)

RH passenger side hump under the oil fill was much smaller for 1970

how old are those valve covers?

is this AMD's solution for the early mis-aligned bolt holes, how big are those holes?

YIKES ! I better look at mine !

I better look at mine also........Just had a look at the bolt holes on my new AMD valve covers. They are off slightly, but I think I can still maybe make them work, I hope I hope. A test fit of my new valve cover gaskets from Real Gaskets Company,shows the holes to be off about a half a hole. Any Ideas?

I bought the 70 VC July 2015. My gaskets fit perfectly. I would return them if they are not spot on, so don't paint them. Also the holes on mine were NOT elongated. Wonder if those were early ones where your holes are half off? I got mine from Summit. I would return them if gaskets do not line up.
The only issue I had was with one valve cover with the bendable wire retainers. They were all missing on mine. Summit took them back and paid for shipping. Ordered another pair and everything was good.

Just checked my receipt, I ordered them 05/11/16 fwiw

I just got mine a week ago 4/21/17. No oblong bolt holes but the holes are off a bit, about half a hole when match up to my valve cover gaskets from Real Gasket company. Have not tried fitting them to the head itself yet. Also when you put a valve cover bolt in a hole the washer under the head of the bolt makes contact with the side of the cover just slightly.

Although the holes "Look" OK , I'm going to give them a Test - Fit prior to Priming &

Painting in next day or two. I also have several different gaskets to try.

What GASKETS are you guys using ??????