[extrimplsr2]

Hi guys, I have a '84 380sl. My question is what color valve covers did this car originally come with, aluminum silver or just plain black? 'Cause a friend of mine who has an identical car (diff. year - '82) has an aluminum cover! Now he's telling me that the 560 engines come with black valve covers. And he has one gear less of mine. Another question I have is, is there a stamp on the engine block itself telling me the the actual size of my engine? I know what size engine I should have, just hoping maybe the previous owner changed it to a 560?? (pushing my luck ain't I?) lol.
On another note, just want to say thanks to everyone who's been helpful in their effort to answer questions here in this site. Regardless of how silly the question may be. Anyways, thanks again!

 

[dugald]

560s came with black covers
I believe covers are interchangeable among all V8 engines

 

[rowdie]

Top of the block on the left rear behind the head. If it starts 116.962 it is a 380, 117.967 it is a 560.

 

[extrimplsr2]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm sure i'll be back. This is all new to me.

 

[strife2]

To the best of my knowledge, the early and late valve covers (with ribs) are interchangeable. MAYBE the ribbed covers are a bit "stiffer" and less subject to flex. The only strange physical difference I've found among all of them is that some have riveted baffles inside, and some are screwed in. It doesn't seem to matter if they are from newer or older cars.Maybe made by a different supplier?

The screwed in baffles allow you to get into them and clean them. However, I put them back with plenty of locktite.

It would be pretty difficult to restore the "raw aluminum" finish on the earlier covers at home, because any polishing will, well, POLISH them. It would be interesting to send them out to be professionally degreased. I've found that oil and grease gets into the very pores of raw corroded aluminum.

Of course, if you actually want to polish then to a shine, this is possible, the older ones are a littler easier without the ribs but working around the "firing order" printing without eliminating it is tricky.