I just got my order of valve cover gaskets and decals from Dennis.


The valve cover decals, the Y8 logo after the Thunderbird text, is it supposed to have green lines and swirls on it?


I didn't take it out of the package but it just doesn't look right. Just curious if I need to contact Dennis and find out if this might be a defective decal.

 

That doesn't sound right. I think I would call them. Got pictures?

 

Yes I have pictures let me go ahead and upload them and I will update this post with a photo attachment of them.

 

That's correct for a thunderbird.....


these are probably what you wanted although not correct for trucks
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Y-Block-Original-Valve-Covers-Thunderbird-272-292-312-/271374785046?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f2f329a16&vxp=mtr

 

So that green in the Y8 logo is correct for a 292 that is in a '56 Fairlane then?


Cause I saw some pictures of completed ones and they didn't have too clear of a shot of the decal and it just looks wrong to me so I wanted to ask before I go having another set sent.

 

It does look odd but I checked on e-Pay and all the '56 decals do have the green on it. http://www.ebay.com/itm/THUNDERBIRD-1956-V8-Valve-Cover-Decal-Set-56-/290770650402?hash=item43b3480522&vxp=mtr Funny I never noticed it before.

 

Strange, cause it just looks so out of place but if its correct then I will use it.


I just wanted to be sure cause I don't know if I want to have the engine builder next doors at work to sandblast my covers get them old paint and rust off so I can paint them gloss black and apply them. I got as you can see in the photos original ford valve cover gaskets from 1965 and I am ordering a few more sets to put up as these look way thicker and better than the part store ones.

 

Any idea how well the decal sticks to a chrome valve cover?

 

You may want to call the vendor anyway just to double check. I agree it looks strange.

 

I called then told me to check with Osborn Reproductions as that is where they get them from. I contacted Osborn and they told me that they have been reproduced this way for the past 20+ years and that they are correct.


One thing I noticed is these are large stickers not waterslide decals. I tried the water trick to allow me to position the sticker just right and I got all the water bubbles out but after I took the covers outside in the sunlight, the clear plastic is just hazy. I hope heat will eventually dry the haze out which I am taking as moisture still under the sticker. Its not wanting to come off but I just cant stand this discoloration and I am seriously thinking of ripping the stickers off and getting another set cause I cant show the pictures as they show the decals looking ugly with this haze in the clear.

 

Give them some time, mine looked hazy at first but after a while they looked better. I don't know if its the heat or just time that did it.. I also had really small bubbles I couldn't work out but they laid down too

 

That's good to hear, cause one of them isn't as hazy and it happens to be the one that the paint didn't come out too well and the decal that had a small defect in it which is why I put it on the passenger side as it has more items in the way.


Below is a couple photos of what mine looks like just after installing the valve covers using original ford gaskets, those things smell like leather almost in smell and they are thick compared to what I could have got from the local store. The decals were installed around 10am and the covers were installed and photos taken around 1 or 2 pm.

 

Mine looked just like that, but after several heat cycles it cleared up. Sorry don't have a closer picture.

 

Thanks for the response, I haven't got this engine running just yet, I pulled the starter today to have it tested and overhauled, engine just spins over way too slow with a new battery and cables. I did have the hood up today and the sun shining on the valve covers while I was working on the car did remove some of the haze so heat cycling should do the job, I was just worried that the glue was altered with the water and would never go away.

 

If it makes you feel any better I tried dipping mine in water first also, I don't think it effected anything.