383 `68 Dart valve cover choices with ex.manifolds

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Junior340

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I am working on a customer's `68 383 Dart GTS original car and he would prefer aftermarket valve covers for some bling, he had some Mopar Performance cast ones but they hit the exhaust manifolds and the covers bolts aren't even lined up yet. So we are wondering what other choices do we have. I took off the steel chrome type that look original to me and I like them but he doesn't. And no headers he says luckily . Thank you.
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Try to talk him into cleaning up or rechroming the original ones. Explain how few there are. Not sure what year they stopped- 69? Just my 2 cents
 
I like the stamped rocker covers, too, but I can never get the gaskets to live and seal. The gaskets just get cooked. The only luck I ever had was either with a cast aluminum cover and a heat shield gasket on the exh. manifold, or I made a valve cover girdle out of aluminum plate for some chrome DC/MP stamped v. covers.
 
I like the stamped rocker covers, too, but I can never get the gaskets to live and seal. The gaskets just get cooked. The only luck I ever had was either with a cast aluminum cover and a heat shield gasket on the exh. manifold, or I made a valve cover girdle out of aluminum plate for some chrome DC/MP stamped v. covers.
I found these at a swap , no wrapper to know who made them.
Sounds like what you needed.
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I found these at a swap , no wrapper to know who made them.
Sounds like what you needed. View attachment 1715186764
yup. that looks like the ones I used. They may be McCord gaskets.
I never tried it but the side of the heat deflector that is paper like material can deteriorate. I always wanted to try spreading a thin layer of black silicone II on the paper side to make it more durable.
 
A 1/16 steel spacer between the exhaust manifold (where the exhaust manifold gaskets goes) and the head as long as the outside of the manifold will still clear any other components?? Like the header flanges they make for home made headers.
Like this but thinner...although this might work?? Patriot Header Flange Kits H7890
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treblig
 
You need a valve cover where the outer side is tilted in a few degrees. Most aftermarket valve covers are straight since most vendors forget about the HP manifolds. The valve covers I had made for my car have the manifold clearance built in but it adds a bunch of cost.
DSC_2521 (Large).jpeg
 
You need a valve cover where the outer side is tilted in a few degrees. Most aftermarket valve covers are straight since most vendors forget about the HP manifolds. The valve covers I had made for my car have the manifold clearance built in but it adds a bunch of cost.
View attachment 1715186833
I noticed you have the heat shield exhaust gaskets, too.
what brand of v. covers are those? I like those.
 
With a big block, clearance for taller valve covers can be an issue with the blower motor. The pic is with a 440, so the deck height is taller. Might be okay with a 383.

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You could try a set of Remflex exhaust gaskets. They are quite a bit thicker than most and might be enough to space your manifolds out enough to clear the valve covers. I've heard nothing but good about how they seal too.
 
I personally run black MPP valve covers. If I bought another set I'd go fabricated.
 
I'm very impressed. Are they fabbed, or did you cnc them out of a billet? Having them look like stamped steel covers is a great touch.

They are billet. Just start with a big chunk of aluminum and carve everything that doesn't look like a valve cover away.

They do look stock, most people never even notice them. The give away is the thick rail. The rail is very thick and very rigid. No leaks with these covers.
DSC_9660 (Large).JPG
 
I am working on a customer's `68 383 Dart GTS original car and he would prefer aftermarket valve covers for some bling, he had some Mopar Performance cast ones but they hit the exhaust manifolds and the covers bolts aren't even lined up yet. So we are wondering what other choices do we have. I took off the steel chrome type that look original to me and I like them but he doesn't. And no headers he says luckily . Thank you.
View attachment 1715186751

Convince him the factory chrome covers look better and due his car justice. He does not need any more bling than what the factory put on these awesome BB cars as they are sweet just the way the way they came. With all the wire looms to keep from burning them. Hard to beat factory BB A-Body charm IMO!

Never mind leakage issues and more. going on 4 years and nary a drop of oil from the covers!!!
 
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Mine= '68 cuda BB resto. Just had original chrome v/covers re-chromed at Pauls. They are beautiful at $800. Something to think about.
 
You need a valve cover where the outer side is tilted in a few degrees. Most aftermarket valve covers are straight since most vendors forget about the HP manifolds. The valve covers I had made for my car have the manifold clearance built in but it adds a bunch of cost.
View attachment 1715186833
Those are valve cover art Andy
 
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