Valley pan for Stage VI heads

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Garys72Duster

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I have some ported Stage VI heads I want to try out. The spacer has a thin recess cut into it, for a valley pan. Then you use paper gaskets on top where the intake manifold meets the spacer. So is there a special valley pan that will work on there? Or do I just cut the intake port portion off a stock valley pan?
 
Hughes used to sell one, but it could use a stiffener welded down the center.
 
I just used a piece of sheet metal(aluminum) cut/trimmed to size, and just had the sides bent up a bit to conform to the heads.

If you don’t drill and tap a few extra holes to physically “mount” the spacers to the heads(socket head screws in recessed holes), then technically you’d want to run gaskets on either side of the spacer.
 
On my 470 stroker it is a sheet of aluminum that bolts down with the front and rear rail bolts. I seal it with rtv or the right stuff depending which I have on hand. I’ll see if I got a pic. Kim
 
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I just used a piece of sheet metal(aluminum) cut/trimmed to size, and just had the sides bent up a bit to conform to the heads.

If you don’t drill and tap a few extra holes to physically “mount” the spacers to the heads(socket head screws in recessed holes), then technically you’d want to run gaskets on either side of the spacer.
I have already drilled, and countersunk the spacers and tapped the heads. Bolted spacers to the heads with allen head screws. I guess I will need a thin film of silicone between the 2? There are locator pins on the spacers for proper alignment. Then I can just trim the port area off a stock gasket, and put that on before the spacer. Then use paper gaskets at manifold to head. Here's a few pics of the head showing the gap for the valley pan, and the bolts.
 
It’s been quite a while since I did anything with the spacers on those heads, but as I’m thinking about it, I seem to recall milling the slot a little deeper so it would accomdate a thicker piece of metal for the valley cover.
 
Well if I can't get the spacers to work right, I'll use an M1 intake from a 440. Then I won't need the spacers, right? Then do i use a 440 valley pan? But It's a low deck block. I think I would still have to cut the port area off a 400 valley pan, and use the paper gaskets over the port? This is harder to figure out than I thought it would be. LOL. This is the kind of thing that happens when you try to get 1 part to do 2 jobs.
 
With my aluminum plate for a valley pan the valley is totally sealed I do not have to pull a head to get it off or on. I use the paper intake gaskets between the heads and the intake. Kim
 
With my aluminum plate for a valley pan the valley is totally sealed I do not have to pull a head to get it off or on. I use the paper intake gaskets between the heads and the intake. Kim
Sounds like the best bet. How thick is your alum plate? I guess I can put a feeler gauge in the spacer groove that's made for the valley plate, and find out. Still hoping the 400 valley pan gasket will work, after I cut a straight line across, just below the ports.
 
If you’re running a low deck block, I wouldn’t even bother with the spacers.
Just get an rb manifold and bolt it on.
With the raised intake ports there’s plenty of room to fit a fabbed up valley plate.
 
I never measured mine, but I would guess at least 1/4 inch. It was on the motor when I got it. My engine has stage 6 heads and a RB intake. 470 stroker built from a 400. Kim
 
It dynoed 655 hp and 620 tq. 3300 lb car and driver. it runs best of 10.37 at 129.65 mph. 1.451 60 foot. .625 lift comp solid roller, 4200 flash stall, 4.10 gears. 29.0x11.5 tires. 74 duster. Kim
 
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Wow, that sounds real fast! We are going to pull the 496 tomorrow, and see what it needs. Use the bottom end with a 400 block to build a 512. So not sure what head/manifold we are going to run yet. 496 has Stealths on it now, I'm thinking the ported Stage VI heads are better. I'll keep you in mind if we don't need them. Here's a pic of the 496 Valiant we're working on.
 
Nice looking Duster! I like the wheels, Centerlines? I need some for my 70 Dart. This Valiant runs low 11s at 5400 feet. Should be faster, I think. Seems to have a lot of leak down past the rings. We bought it a couple years ago, all together and race ready. Not real sure what the motor has in it, other than 383 block, 4.25" stroke, roller cam, M1 with a 1050 Dominator. We put the dual quad tunnel ram on it, and it slowed down .2 second, to 11.30 Haha.
 
Nice looking Duster! I like the wheels, Centerlines? I need some for my 70 Dart. This Valiant runs low 11s at 5400 feet. Should be faster, I think. Seems to have a lot of leak down past the rings. We bought it a couple years ago, all together and race ready. Not real sure what the motor has in it, other than 383 block, 4.25" stroke, roller cam, M1 with a 1050 Dominator. We put the dual quad tunnel ram on it, and it slowed down .2 second, to 11.30 Haha.
from what intake ?
 
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