Valve covers, how many versions were there ?

[Flamingo 5]

Top is from a 1967 1600 

I’m not positive about the other two,

and by the way, how many versions were there ?

['76mintgrün'02]

6 minutes ago, West Palm 2002 said:

I’m not positive about the other two,

 

are there date codes on the underside of these?

 

here are six pages on the topic

 

https://www.bmw2002faq.com/forums/topic/163313-can-you-date-valve-covers-by-type/?tab=comments#comment-1025705

[2002iii]

I know of at least 5 different valve covers the 3 pictured above plus the early smooth version and the late 320i one.

[Flamingo 5]

1 hour ago, '76mintgrün'02 said:

 

are there date codes on the underside of these?

 

here are six pages on the topic

 

https://www.bmw2002faq.com/forums/topic/163313-can-you-date-valve-covers-by-type/?tab=comments#comment-1025705

Date codes ? Idk, I’ll look later

 

['76mintgrün'02]

1 minute ago, West Palm 2002 said:

Date codes ?

like the one in this photo that Steve posted in the other thread that I linked-to above.

 

[MOJOJOY]

I don’t think the top one belongs on a 67’

Haven’t seen a valve cover date stamped 67’ yet. Most date stams I’ve seen start in 68’

 

I believe 67 should be no ribs.

there are like 10 different M10 valve factory covers 

[RogerRamJet77]

This came off a 1600-2 S/N 1518823 manufactured on 06-Mar-1967

[mccusername]

I have a March build  '67 1600 with ribbed valve cover but no date stamping. 

[RogerRamJet77]

Here is a picture of the underside off of 1518823, no date code. Maybe BMW was using more than one diecast tool. 

[Conserv]

9 hours ago, mccusername said:

I have a March build  '67 1600 with ribbed valve cover but no date stamping. 

 

And there are other examples of 1967 models with ribbed valve covers that bear no casting dates. Most ribbed covers, of course, bear casting dates. Since none of the smooth valve covers appear to have casting dates — based on what I’ve seen thus far — I’m guessing that (b.) un-dated ribbed valve covers represent a transition from (a.) un-dated smooth covers to (c.) dated ribbed covers. Thus, maybe:

 

(a.) smooth valve cover, no casting date (up to and including most 1967 models)

(b.) ribbed valve cover, no casting date (some, a small minority of, 1967 models?),

(c.) ribbed valve cover, casting date (1968 models and later)

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

 

Edited August 24, 2019 by Conserv

[Flamingo 5]

57 minutes ago, Conserv said:

 

And there are other examples of 1967 models with ribbed valve covers that bear no casting dates. Most ribbed covers, of course, bear casting dates. Since none of the smooth valve covers appear to have casting dates — based on what I’ve seen thus far — I’m guessing that (b.) un-dated ribbed valve covers represent a transition from (a.) un-dated smooth covers to (c.) dated ribbed covers. Thus, maybe:

 

(a.) smooth valve cover, no casting date (up to and partially including 1967 model)

(b.) ribbed valve cover, no casting date (some 1967?)”,k,,m

(c.) ribbed valve cover, casting date (1968 models and later)

 

Regards,

 

St3 

 

I like your analysis 

[zinz]

To further Steve’s analysis. From my original ‘67, 2000CS. Ribbed cover with April ‘67 date stamp. 

 

 

Ed

 

[Hans]

I'd be interested in pictures of the insides. One of my covers has a ridge across the front that now prevents the cover from seating. I can only think the new gaskets are thinner.

['76mintgrün'02]

1 minute ago, Hans said:

I'd be interested in pictures of the insides. One of my covers has a ridge across the front that now prevents the cover from seating. I can only think the new gaskets are thinner.

 

I'd be interested in a picture of the inside of the ridged one.

[tjones02]

My July ‘67 1530962 had a smooth no date valve cover originally.

 

i can totally see the 2-liter 2000CS and maybe the 2000TiLux having ribbed valve covers to denote the upper class of the newer larger engine. But, have seen original early ‘65 and ‘66 2000CS with smooth valve covers, including in factory literature. Don’t know about ‘67 and later ones though.