Valve Covers with better clearance on a 460

[Wicked96SS]

I am SURE that this question has been asked before, but the search feature on the forum didn't give any useful results. Please forgive me if this has been asked, debated, and solved before.

I am looking for valve covers for a 460 that has Kaase P51 heads, roller rockers and a Comp Cam Xtreme Energy 284H. Right now, the way the engine sits the drivers side valve cover is coming in contact with the drivers side box.

Currently the valve covers that are being used are the Ford Racing 4" covers.

Worst case scenario would be fabricating the aluminum so that it gives me better clearance, but I would hate to do that if there was a more simple solution.

Any help would be greatly appreciated from this Newb.

[2FAST4U]

I ran these on my 460/503 BBF and they cleared the rockers and the driver's footbox. Milodon pentroof chrome valve covers

[Wicked96SS]

Thank you Bill! Don't really dig the look too much, but beggers can't be choosers. And they're relatively inexpensive!

I don't know what your setup was, but I would imagine it was similar, so I might give them a shot.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MIL-85653/
(In case I forget, or somebody else wanders into this thread, these are the Milodon 85653 valve covers)

[2FAST4U]

Mine was a 2-bolt 460 block with reworked Edelbrock heads

[Wicked96SS]

I take it back... looks awesome on your setup! Ordering tomorrow!

[jjo]

It doesn't really matter for you with a hydraulic lifter, no need for adjustment. For my solid roller engines I just put a short 2x4 on the footbox and gave it a lick with a BFH - 1/4 clearance and reach around the back of the valve cover with 1/4 drive and U-joint to get the difficult bolt.

[Wicked96SS]

2FAST4U, what valve cover gaskets did you use with those? Did you end up going with a thicker gasket or a thinner one. Right now the Ford Racing valve covers I have are using VERY thick ones.

I've been thinking about just going with the thick rubber/cork valve cover gaskets that FelPro makes, unless there are better suggestions.

Fel-Pro Q1643 - Fel-Pro Performance CorkLam Valve Cover Gaskets - Overview - SummitRacing.com

I would even re-use the valve cover gaskets as they look to be in decent shape, but the oil was so badly fouled with gas, and it's soaked into the gasket, thought new ones would be a good idea.

[2FAST4U]

I believe I used standard FelPro valve cover gaskets. My roller rockers cleared.

[tajablon2]

I see this one is a bit old, but just as an FYI, you can make any covers fit. I recently installed fabricated aluminum tall boys on my 460 stroker. I had to pull in the top lip of the footbox, but it does not change the clearance inside where it counts.. Only lose a bit of clearance up top but well above where your feet might go. I still have to make the top plate to cover, but it's got plenty of room. The picture looks like an extreme bend was made, but really it looks quite good. Plus the payoff is well worth it!



-Tim

[Wicked96SS]

I am thinking about doing something like that, but my metal fabrication skills are lacking... I haven't purchased the valve covers yet, the engine is still out, so now would be the time to make the modification to the aluminum.

I really do dig those valve covers though! I saw something similar in composite that I was considering as well. I just strongly dislike the "FORD RACING" deep valve covers that I have. Currently, they make contact with the driver's foot box.

[tajablon2]

Originally Posted by Wicked96SS

I am thinking about doing something like that, but my metal fabrication skills are lacking... I haven't purchased the valve covers yet, the engine is still out, so now would be the time to make the modification to the aluminum.

I really do dig those valve covers though! I saw something similar in composite that I was considering as well. I just strongly dislike the "FORD RACING" deep valve covers that I have. Currently, they make contact with the driver's foot box.

Yeah dude, I hear ya. No C*bra v/c's, no F. Racing, etc.. Maybe some custom etching or painted lettering later on, but for now I like the smooth clean look.

Oh, and to get the bend like I currently have you do not need any fabrication skills. Just a drill and a few zip ties. Pull the panel's top lip in with one finger to the right bend. Next, mark where your finger is pulling with a sharpie. Drill a hole in that spot, feed a zip tie in, and connect another zip tie to the top square tube. Tighten until your bend is just where you want it. You'll use the hole you made later on as a rivet hole. A stretcher shrinker will help make the top plate, or someone can do it for you since it's only one small part. Shouldn't cost much.

Let me know if the wording on that doesn't make sense. I can go out and take a better picture for ya. I got those v/c's off ebay for like $150 or something crazy cheap. I like the idea of some carbon fiber. That would look cool.

-Tim

[Tom Wells]

Here's another option: First Coast Cobra Club • View topic - Zephyr gets a lower engine profile and new valve covers

I know it isn't a Cobra but the problem is the same. On my Cobra I used the tall Ford covers but ended up with a notch to clear the master cylinder.

The covers are either Holley branded or I think Mickey Thompson (M/T). Either way, I like'em better than the Ford ones... And they are much lower, and they clear the roller rockers.

Just an FYI,

Tom

[Jetsbaby]

Blue Thunder Comp plus I also have a Jomar valve train gridle and they fit with out a spacer.

[Wicked96SS]

Originally Posted by Jetsbaby

Blue Thunder Comp plus I also have a Jomar valve train gridle and they fit with out a spacer.

I really really like those valve covers, and if they clear, I must have them. Problem is the Blue Thunder website is having problems, where did you get yours? Is there a vendor on here that sells them?

What heads are you running? I am currently running P-51, will have Comp Cams Ultra Pro Magnum roller rockers, and whatever roller camshaft that Jon Kaase decides I should have... Is your setup similar? You had no problem with clearance?

Thank you so much for the picture.

[Wicked96SS]

Wow, I like those as well, Tom... thanks! Are those Edelbrock heads you're using? I wonder how different the Kaase P-51 heads are. I am guessing not at all... I believe both are based on the SCJ heads, right?

Meh... I think I'm thinking about this too much!

Thanks again

Originally Posted by Tom Wells

Here's another option: First Coast Cobra Club • View topic - Zephyr gets a lower engine profile and new valve covers

I know it isn't a Cobra but the problem is the same. On my Cobra I used the tall Ford covers but ended up with a notch to clear the master cylinder.

The covers are either Holley branded or I think Mickey Thompson (M/T). Either way, I like'em better than the Ford ones... And they are much lower, and they clear the roller rockers.

Just an FYI,

Tom

[Jetsbaby]

Originally Posted by Wicked96SS

I really really like those valve covers, and if they clear, I must have them. Problem is the Blue Thunder website is having problems, where did you get yours? Is there a vendor on here that sells them?

What heads are you running? I am currently running P-51, will have Comp Cams Ultra Pro Magnum roller rockers, and whatever roller camshaft that Jon Kaase decides I should have... Is your setup similar? You had no problem with clearance?

Thank you so much for the picture.

I got them from DSC MOTORSPORT at 951-763-9765.. He also has an Ebay ad for them also right now.Ford 429-460 BLUE THUNDER Competition Valve Covers | eBay. They are not cheap but very good covers..I have the FMetal foxbox mod and they just clear the footbox..If I had to do it again I would use the 4.6 footbox panels and have alot more room..You have to go under the car to change out #7 and 8 spark plugs.

[mdman352]

I am wotrking on a big (460 based) motor with P-51 heads and cannot change the plugs on the drivers side. I got the first one. Should the footbox metal be replaced with the 4.6 metal?

[tajablon2]

Originally Posted by mdman352

I am wotrking on a big (460 based) motor with P-51 heads and cannot change the plugs on the drivers side. I got the first one. Should the footbox metal be replaced with the 4.6 metal?

The 4.6 metal does add clearance. Also removing the valvecovers can help. Another help is to try getting the back one from underneath or reaching across from the passenger side. It's not too easy, but I'm using trick flow, not kasse so yours may be a bit tougher..

-Tim

[CDN_COPR]

I am useing a 385 / 460 with 1.84 custom stainless steel needle rockers, with "C" clips.. I had to have the valve covers custom made. The only other sugestion I can offer is to use two set of valve cover gaskets bewteen the covers and the aluminum Heads. Less chance of leaks.