Question about valve covers for EFI 5.0s

[astronut1885]

Hey guys. I saw a really nice pair of Ford Racing valve covers today, but they were listed as not for use on EFI cars. They had two holes for oil necks instead of one. How come I can't put those on my car when I do the rebuild with my P heads and such? I want my engine bay to look nice, as I am going with a black/red theme (upper Explorer intake will be black with red in the ridges, red FMS wires, a few other things.). If anyone knows why I can't use these covers, let me know, or if they can be modded to go on an EFI motor. I really want them.
Here's a pic:

 

[90LX306]

You cant use them because they are too tall. You may be able to get around it (like i did) by usuing a 1" phelonic spacer in between the upper and lower, but then your runners would be rediculously long causing you to loose power. I used them for a month lastt year and took them off because i lost power since i only have a TFS street and a specer, this year i can use them because i got a track heat upper. The two holes dont really matter, put a plug on 1 and a breather in the other

 

[astronut1885]

I am installing a 1" phenolic spacer anyway, and I heard I needed taller valve covers for my 1.6 roller rockers. I just happen to like these the best.

 

[90LX306]

Then it should go fine, may have a problem with the Throttle cable hitting the valve cover. i did with my TFS intake but you may not with the explorer

 

[astronut1885]

throttle cable huh? have to look out for that. Do they sell plugs for those filler holes, or can I just put a breather on each side? Thanks for the help so far.

 

[90LX306]

For the plug, just go down to our terrible seekonk pep boys and buy a mr.gasket chrome plug type thing. You cant have 2 breathers because on the driverside the plud is inderneath the plenum so it wont fit.

 

[astronut1885]

ah. thanks for the tip. and yes, crap boys does suck. i refuse to go there. guess i have to...

 

[RIO5.0]

3 3/4" you should be ok...mine are the same hgt, and i had to dimple them a few places....the drivers side vac nipple on the intake maybe???, shorten that mother up....

you may no even need the 1"...1/2" might sneak you buy....i was running no spacer with the the Explorer, only had to massage a few places....

like those VCs.... I got chromes, but i'd scam a set of those for sure...swap over to a Fox TB....much better...you'll actually get to see those mothers...

 

[astronut1885]

Heh, the 1" spacer was going on long before the valve covers were thought of. I already bought it, so I am gonna use it. My mechanic reccomended it. Seeing them was my biggest concern, because I didn't want to buy them and then never get to enjoy them. But I can see mine now, so I figure I might as well do it right and make under the hood look good while I am at it.

 

[astronut1885]

I just noticed. on these, the filler hole accessible would be on the driver's side. not on the passenger. is that a big deal? Also, do you buy a seperate oil neck and install it, or do you just put a cap on? How do these suckers work? heh, I feel stupid.

 

[RIO5.0]

Long as you have room under the intake, you'll be ok....mine are the same...a rubber grommet...i couldn't put them on the drivers....can't get the vent/cap on??? you may have the same issue??? 1" spacer will help....worse case...you'll need to keep it plugged??? thats not cool as you need some venting....
my cap just has a vent slit under it and filled with foam....makes no dif which side you put the oil in....all heads to the same place...the oilpan...

tall VCs cause there share of hassles, nothing that can't be overcome tho....

 

[astronut1885]

what I meant is, do you put in a neck or just a cap. I kinda figured it didn't matter which side the fill opening was, and I can just plug the other one. I'd have to use a breather because the hose from the EGR spacer would be on the wrong side. Anyway, do you put a neck in or do you just put a cap on flush with the cover? I don't have them, I am probably going to buy them.

 

[Michael Yount]

Part of the pcv system on efi cars is the hose that runs from the nipple on the stock oil filler neck over to the throttle body. As the intake pulls air from the crankcase through the pcv valve at high vacuum conditions (like idle), that air has to be able to enter the crankcase from somewhere. It does so through the hose to the throttle body. That source allows the air entering the crankcase to be metered through the maf before being sucked into the engine via the pcv valve. If you go with the Ford valve covers and a breather, you'll need to cap off the nipple on the throttle body, and you need to understand that that arrangement will allow unmetered air to enter the engine at idle. That's part of the reason that FRPP says they are not for efi cars. Physical clearance is the other reason. As for the driver's side valve cover opening, remember that the upper intake plenum sits right over that valve cover, covering it almost completely. I doubt you can get any kind breather on that side because of interference with the upper plenum. Best you'll probably be able to do is to just block that opening off somehow.

 

[astronut1885]

Actually, on these the passenger side opening will be in the rear and the driver's will be at the front of the motor. Take a look at the picture. They seem backwards, but they are all like that. Anyway, is it a big deal if unmetered air gets in? If it is, can I install a neck with the nipple and just run a vaccum line across the engine and into it so it's like stock?

 

[astronut1885]

If I were to put one of these on the passenger side and hook the little tube from the TB to it, would that work? Then I could put a regular oil fill cap on the driver's side, and the only air entering the covers is from the tube thing. How does that sound? I think it'd work....

 

[RIO5.0]

I use the push in breather as in your pic...minus that port...that looks like it'll do for your TB port...think im gonna scam one myself and re-hook up that tube..

Mike...iv'e had that tube disconnected for a year or more, i don't appear to having any driveability issues....think removing it has something to do with oil mist in the intake ports??? seen alot of post regarding this lately...i tried an 8" "up" loop, then back to the upper intake, trying to cure my misted intake ports by having the oil mist from the pcv "suspended" so to say......it didn't work...

 

[astronut1885]

Hmmm. Hopefully I've found a solution. I really want those covers. are 3 3/4" covers big in comparison to stock?

 

[Michael Yount]

A connection between cover and throttle body will provide the path for air required. No breather will eliminate the unmetered air issue. I know on mine, I don't think I could easily add oil to the opening on the passenger side if it were behind the t/b instead of in front of it. And on the driver's side, there's simply no room for anything because of the upper intake. Have you actually positioned the covers on the heads with the intake? If it were me, I'd simply block off the hole in the driver's side. If the hole in passenger's side is behind the throttle body, I'd block it off, and pop another hole in the front of the valve cover. Put the filler neck/nipple in the same location it is stock so adding oil would be easier. I like those covers too - my engine color scheme is gray/black/red also (pm me if you'd like to see a pic); but I ultimately didn't go with them because 1) too many issues with the holes/pcv/oil filler and 2) I think I concluded they were too tall and would interfere with my throttle cable even with a phenolic spacer - I have an Explorer intake too. Good luck - hope you're able to make them work.

 

[RIO5.0]

Check this pic...IF IT WORKS..

 

[astronut1885]

I just finished the paint on my upper intake, take a look. It's at the link in my sig, last page. That's why I want these valve covers. As far as tough positioning to get oil in, I could always buy one of those funnels with the long posable neck. My phenolic spacer is going to be 1", will that give me any more clearance, or will I still have problems?