Is this a Reproduction Cobra Lamans Valve cover?

[dozz302]

Just wondering if this is an original or not. No part # on the inside but is old. I'm thinking early reproduction.
Only the 0ne.

[428kidd]

I believe your on it , repops.

[cjshaker]

While I've never used this specific valve cover, every factory Ford cover I've ever seen had the lip around the sealing base to help hold gaskets in place.

[gdaddy01]

I have read that the original valve covers had the Cobra and Lemans on one straight line, don't know if that is 100% or not.

[thatdarncat]

I have read that the original valve covers had the Cobra and Lemans on one straight line, don't know if that is 100% or not.

That is the 1967 Shelby GT 500 valve covers only, for the ‘68 FE Shelby they went to the layout in the original post, with the “Cobra” above the “LeMans”, and that style has been made in one form or another pretty much since. Except recently apparently, per Mean Gene’s recent post.

[thatdarncat]

While I've never used this specific valve cover, every factory Ford cover I've ever seen had the lip around the sealing base to help hold gaskets in place.

The original sand cast ‘67 Shelby GT 500 valve covers, with the “Cobra LeMans” all in a line do not have a lip on the base for the gaskets, they are flat. That doesn’t help dozz302 with their question, and I don’t know enough about original ‘68 Shelby valve covers to weigh in, but don’t use the lack of a lip alone to determine if a set of aluminum valve covers are original or not.

[Rory428]

While I've never used this specific valve cover, every factory Ford cover I've ever seen had the lip around the sealing base to help hold gaskets in place.

The original sand cast ‘67 Shelby GT 500 valve covers, with the “Cobra LeMans” all in a line do not have a lip on the base for the gaskets, they are flat. That doesn’t help dozz302 with their question, and I don’t know enough about original ‘68 Shelby valve covers to weigh in, but don’t use the lack of a lip alone to determine if a set of aluminum valve covers are original or not.

I agree, I have a pair of aluminum pentroof "Cobra 427" valves covers, that my cousin gave me in 1973. He bought them in 1966, when he was racing a new 66 Fairlane. These covers were gray, not black, and weigh about twice as much as the typical repro "Cobra LeMans" covers I have seen. The spark plug holders and steel baffles were riveted on, not screwed, and have flat gasket flanges. And unlike the factory aluminum 428 CJ valve covers I have, the Cobra 427s have a rougher, (sand cast? )texture on the inside.

[shady]

The original Ford  Buddy-bar Cobra PBF 289 covers also have no ridge and were flat for the gasket. All the repops have a ridge. Most alum. reproductions are just a little nicer than the originals it seems.

[cjshaker]

While I've never used this specific valve cover, every factory Ford cover I've ever seen had the lip around the sealing base to help hold gaskets in place.

The original sand cast ‘67 Shelby GT 500 valve covers, with the “Cobra LeMans” all in a line do not have a lip on the base for the gaskets, they are flat. That doesn’t help dozz302 with their question, and I don’t know enough about original ‘68 Shelby valve covers to weigh in, but don’t use the lack of a lip alone to determine if a set of aluminum valve covers are original or not.

I stand corrected. Like I mentioned, I have not used these particular covers, however, you absolutely can help determine originality by the lip on certain factory Ford covers, but apparently not these. Even on stamped steel covers, the lip is different on all the aftermarket covers that I've seen.

[dozz302]

This cover does have the riveted steel parts, and no lip. I will say it feels pretty heavy also. So, with no part # and no paint possibly an original Ford part? 

[Keith Stevens]

Original 67 Shelby  Cobra Lemans covers are in a straight line as mentioned. The PCV valve grommet hole is round without the notches or "ears"
All of the original and the reproduction units are flat on the gasket rail. I hope that helps.

[TomP]

Neither Shelby nor Ford actually cast those valve covers. Not sure if Ansen did or not but they make the same ones. I have had some off a 68 GT500, ones i bought new from a Ford dealer in 1980 and recent ones from a couple years ago and all seem the same except I recall the 68's also having the wire loom and baffle riveted vs the Phillips screws the later ones used.

[Keith Stevens]

The original 67 Shelby covers were cast by Buddy Bar.