kreed Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 I have a 1969 Riviera GS that I bought several years ago from the original owner in Montana where it had lived its entire life . It's a great car with 45K miles but something which has always bugged me is that it came with chrome valve covers . I have searched the options lists for that year and can't it find any mention of that being an option and all the pictures that I have seen (while limited ) do not show any with chrome valve covers so... I am interested to know if that was ever an option . If not, I am considering painting them together original red which brings up another subject - how good does chrome take paint - ?..rough it up with sand paper, prime and paint ?..... Help would be greatly appreciated KReed ROA. 14549 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivdrivn Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 Hi Ken, In my research I’ve never seen any reference mentioning chrome valve covers for Riviera, only Skylark GS Stage 1 - like this one. It is a very cool look. Personally, I’d keep them chrome or you could sell them and buy red ones 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 I'm not sure in which year Buick started doing it, but you could buy chrome valve covers for the 400/430/455 through the parts dept. At your dealership. Keep them, or sell them and buy some steel ones to paint. Painting chrome only gives so-so results if you don't strip the chrome first. And that's on part that arent exposed to engine heat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 Chrome also retains a lot of heat, so going original stamped steel would be better than painting over chrome. FWIW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Curran Posted October 8, 2018 Share Posted October 8, 2018 The air cleaner lid on a GS was chrome but the GS option did not include chrome valve covers. As stated above, they could be obtained over the counter at the Buick parts department as well as aftermarket suppliers. I would put them aside or sell them. It would be easier to buy painted ones and they should not be too difficult to obtain. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed Posted October 8, 2018 Author Share Posted October 8, 2018 That is good to know - think I will just leave them alone . The previous owner must have put them on at some point to "dress it up" . Thanks for all the help. KReed ROA 14549 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Seibert Posted October 11, 2023 Share Posted October 11, 2023 Do you still have those chrome valve covers on there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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