Valve covers that clear rolllers

[Stever89]

I just don't like the looks of the majority of the cast aluminum tall covers. They're just butt-ugly. On the other hand, I love the looks of the old school stock height covers, especially the finned Cobra or Ford Racing.

BUT....Most stock covers either have to be modded (baffle removed, which leads to oil usage) or raised with thicker or double gaskets. That doesn't leave too many other options.

So I see these all over FleaBay:
View attachment 187049

Anyone using these? Any issues?

 

[Rick 91GT]

It also depends on the rocker arm used, even some of the above covers need a tweeked baffle. I use the thicker cork/rubber composite gaskets with aftermarket covers, permatex them to the cover so they can be taken off and reused easily.
If you like the finned ones, I have a brand new set at the shop ill let go cheap, customer ended up going to the black and red so they were not used. Black finned Ford Racing.

The sheetmetal style is decent as well, key is Billet rails or they tend to distort and leak.

 

[Rick 91GT]

Forgot, what intake are you running?

 

[Stever89]

Forgot, what intake are you running?

Carbed, Victor jr.

 

[Rick 91GT]

Carbed, Victor jr.

Sweet no clearance issues to worry about then

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

I'm about to figure out how to get my stock Powered By Ford covers to clear my stud mount rockers...i'll probably be running the thickest gaskets i can get my hands on. I'll post up pics when i figure it out.

 

[srtthis]

rick do you know off hand if the black and red ford racing carb VC will clear a set of SVO rockers 1.72's?

 

[Rick 91GT]

rick do you know off hand if the black and red ford racing carb VC will clear a set of SVO rockers 1.72's?

Yes they will, I have had to modify the baffle a little at times, no big deal though... I use the thick cork/rubber VC gaskets.

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

If it becomes necessary, if i can't find a set of gaskets thick enough, is it too stupid to glue two sets of gaskets together? Or am i asking for trouble? I know they make the aluminum spacers but damn they cost more than a new set of valve covers do.

 

[Stever89]

If it becomes necessary, if i can't find a set of gaskets thick enough, is it too stupid to glue two sets of gaskets together? Or am i asking for trouble? I know they make the aluminum spacers but damn they cost more than a new set of valve covers do.

My Ford Racing VCs just came in. I also ordered the thicker Felpro 1645 gaskets. I'll know by tomorrow if it's going to work.

In all my research on the web, I did run across guys that have used 2 gaskets, but they have to be the kind with the metal core (Felpro 1645 is one)

 

[NIKwoaC]

I'm about to figure out how to get my stock Powered By Ford covers to clear my stud mount rockers...i'll probably be running the thickest gaskets i can get my hands on. I'll post up pics when i figure it out.

Did you see what I had to do to get my stock valve covers to clear? I took some pics, you can see it in my progress thread.

 

[oldfox]

They make a spacer plate that goes under the stock covers.

 

[ID89GT]

I have the black and aluminum finned Powered by Ford valve covers and they clear my roller rockers just fine. I have the Felpro valve cover gaskets with the metal core from Napa.

 

[Stever89]

Well, I'm going to have to order spacers. There's no way any amount of grinding bosses, removing baffles or doubling gaskets is going to clear this.
View attachment 186690

 

[ID89GT]

Wow, mine don't stick up nearly that high lol

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Last time i checked, the spacers were about $150, which i think is INSANE. I've thought about trying to make my own out of an old set of valve covers or even if i could find some thick aluminum stock i could jigsaw them out myself.

 

[Stever89]

Last time i checked, the spacers were about $150, which i think is INSANE. I've thought about trying to make my own out of an old set of valve covers or even if i could find some thick aluminum stock i could jigsaw them out myself.

150 is insane I'm seeing them for 130 on Jegs and Summit, and 80 a pair on fleabay. I guess I'll be ordering a set today from someone.

 

[Stever89]

Wow, mine don't stick up nearly that high lol

To be honest, I'd never pulled the covers till yesterday. I didn't build this engine so everytime I go into it a little more I learn a bit more. I'm fairly sure the rockers are Harland Sharp. I've taken this engine over 8000 before the valves started floating. I won't be doing that again btw

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Wow i think even $80 is BS for a ring of (probably junk) aluminum but i guess you pay to play. I think some heavy/thick cork gaskets glued to another set of not so thick cork gaskets would probably work just as well if you used some RTV and didn't tighten them down too hard.

 

[Stever89]

Wow i think even $80 is BS for a ring of (probably junk) aluminum but i guess you pay to play. I think some heavy/thick cork gaskets glued to another set of not so thick cork gaskets would probably work just as well if you used some RTV and didn't tighten them down too hard.

Here's the underside of one of the FR covers. I removed the baffle and set the cover on the head, still over a half inch gap because of the three bosses on the other end, and the tops of the rocker studs are touching the inside of the cover. I started grinding away at one of those bosses with a Dremel. I ground at it for 30 minutes, didn't get that far and there's 5 more to go so F it, I'll just get some spacers and put the baffle back in.