1969 Race Dart w/ 426 Hemi- garaged for 45+ years

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mygasser said:
you call that an update? :poke: :lol:
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Sean has done an outstanding job............. I can not thank him enough. Without him this would not have happened and especially so quickly. It has been less than a year since April 16, 2023, when we pulled the engine and trans out of the car.

We have to measure for the driveshaft and change out bushings etc. on the front end and then that is going back together. The issue we have run into is the rocker still hitting the driver-side valve cover when closed. Much bigger rocker assembly than stock. He has hammered on the valve cover to the point of stretching the metal as far as he can and still a no-go. I ordered a set of Ray Barton valve covers, black with no script. I wanted to stay with the old covers but they just won't work. We have discussed it and there were a few options such as spacers, but like everything else with this engine, I want to do it right......................

Cell phone video is not the greatest, but here it is. I appreciate all of your support and everyone following this build.

I think my FIL would be so proud!

 
Here are some pics of the valve covers and how much he has already stretched them.....................

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So you get it running and post us the world's crummiest video ever. I see how it is now. lol
 
Love that engine picture. One doesn't know why rockers don't clear valve covers? They look like low profile slim rocker arms. Is it the angle of valves is different on Indy heads?
 
340sFastback said:
Love that engine picture. One doesn't know why rockers don't clear valve covers? They look like low profile slim rocker arms. Is it the angle of valves is different on Indy heads?
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I know exactly why they don't clear.

Cause they're hitting the valve covers.


lol
 
340sFastback said:
Love that engine picture. One doesn't know why rockers don't clear valve covers? They look like low profile slim rocker arms. Is it the angle of valves is different on Indy heads?
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From my research this is not uncommon. I spoke with Hemi Denny he has had an issue with this engine he built. His covers are aluminum and he was able to get more movement out of them before the metal fails. Here is a pic of his he sent me...............you can see the bulge on the cover.

Denny valve covers.jpg
 
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Scott_ 69HemiDart said:
From my research this is not uncommon. I spoke with Hemi Denny he has the same issue with every Hemi he has done. His covers are aluminum and he was able to get more movement out of them before the metal fails. Here is a pic of his he sent me...............you can see the bulge on the cover.

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no clearance issues at all with smaller solid or hydraulic cams, only this Butch Leal / Rod Shop Pro Stock Hemi that sports a roller cam and big valve springs. The lobe lift / DLI roller rockers were not the issue, the clearance is for the larger diameter valve springs used.

I'm miffed on why it is only one side.
 
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HemiDenny said:
no clearance issues with at all with smaller solid or hydraulic cams, only this Butch Leal / Rod Shop Pro Stock Hemi that sports a roller cam and big valve springs. The cam lift / DLI roller rockers were not the issue, the clearance is for the valve springs.

I'm miffed on why it is only one side.
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Thanks for the clarification Denny :thumbsup: Sorry to misquote, lots of information and trying to recall all of it...........................
 
Scott_ 69HemiDart said:
From my research this is not uncommon. I spoke with Hemi Denny he has had an issue with this engine he built. His covers are aluminum and he was able to get more movement out of them before the metal fails. Here is a pic of his he sent me...............you can see the bulge on the cover.

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Fixed to clarify the same valve cover issue with this engine he built..................................
 
Scott_ 69HemiDart said:
Fixed to clarify the same valve cover issue with this engine he built..................................
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I can't take credit for the build of that monster......originally built by Butch Leal in the early 80's, maintained by Bob Riffle / Rod Shop. In 2019 Butch flew to Detroit where he and I (mostly manning the gunk tank) freshened it up before installing it in the Flash. That Hemi has pedigree.
 
For the new valve covers they machine the breather holes. I don't like the breathers they offer and doing research it has the nipple for a hose to a separate tank which I am not going to do. Searching I can't find a lot of options for push-in style breathers that look good. I am thinking something like this.

The breather Ray Barton puts on their covers (no-go for me)

Moroso breather.jpg


Push-in option I am looking at?

Moroso oiled breather.jpg
 
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