Aluminum valve cover option when running MSD cap-adapt?

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Jeremiah (jd)

Jeremiah (jd)

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Well, it appears that I am very adept at solving one problem only to create another
: D

My original '68 GTS valve covers have never wanted to seal up, no matter the gasket used, on my 440 Source heads (1.560 OD springs).

To mitigate the issue I purchased cast aluminum valve covers from Mancini (I would not recommend this product based on quality).

MRE - Aluminum Valve Cover Set

In anticipation of having less clearance I also sourced a tall deck MSD distributor with the low deck adapter to gain addition clearance. I knew it would be tight because the OE steel vc's, MSD w/big cap on my lowdeck sist cleared by -.0005 or so.

After many hours correcting various design flaws I attemped to install them today only to find that they interfere with the MSD cap-adapt : /

At this point my available options are:

a) section my cast valve cover to clear the distributor

OR

b) attempt to use the blue anodized DC valve covers that I cannot sell

Both sets of covers will use blue Moroso steel core gaskets which have been my go-to for many years (or the black rubberized cork Fel Pro).

If anyone has additional ideas I'm open to suggestions.

Help my get the Pilgrim back to the track! I want wheelies in 2025 : D

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My Mopar performance valve covers are just clearance a little to make room.
I have a off brand old set of cast aluminum valve covers, I sold and bought back because they would not fit 440 source heads. It was weird.
If worse comes to worse, Ill let you borrow my valve covers. I don't know if I'll get my junk done anytime soon.
 
I have seen sheet metal valve covers on an engine that came into my sons shop that were clearanced for this . I believe the owner had them made. It did not have a distributor in it when it came to the machine shop.
 
Jeremiah (jd) said:
Well, it appears that I am very adept at solving one problem only to create another
: D

My original '68 GTS valve covers have never wanted to seal up, no matter the gasket used, on my 440 Source heads (1.560 OD springs).

To mitigate the issue I purchased cast aluminum valve covers from Mancini (I would not recommend this product based on quality).

MRE - Aluminum Valve Cover Set

In anticipation of having less clearance I also sourced a tall deck MSD distributor with the low deck adapter to gain addition clearance. I knew it would be tight because the OE steel vc's, MSD w/big cap on my lowdeck sist cleared by -.0005 or so.

After many hours correcting various design flaws I attemped to install them today only to find that they interfere with the MSD cap-adapt : /

At this point my available options are:

a) section my cast valve cover to clear the distributor

OR

b) attempt to use the blue anodized DC valve covers that I cannot sell

Both sets of covers will use blue Moroso steel core gaskets which have been my go-to for many years (or the black rubberized cork Fel Pro).

If anyone has additional ideas I'm open to suggestions.

Help my get the Pilgrim back to the track! I want wheelies in 2025 : D

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Oh, ****. You have that big cap sumbish.
I have a 440 msd distributor with b adapter smaller cap.
You can borrow it.
I'll put it in the mail on Monday if you need to be relieved of one problem.
 
I love the Moroso/ Mopar blue anodised valve cover, but they distort so bad because they are really thin I don't think you'll be happy with them.

Mainly why I just use the 68-69 covers because they will clear just about anything. I run those really thick fire proof gaskets that I can't remember what brand they are at the moment.

Since you have the cast aluminum covers painted I would just cut and modify them since you can repaint.

Hopefully in the next year or so I am going to make a modified 68-69 style cover mold and make me a few set of carbon fiber valve covers.

Tom
 
PROSTOCKTOM said:
I love the Moroso/ Mopar blue anodised valve cover, but they distort so bad because they are really thin I don't think you'll be happy with them.

Mainly why I just use the 68-69 covers because they will clear just about anything. I run those really thick fire proof gaskets that I can't remember what brand they are at the moment.

Since you have the cast aluminum covers painted I would just cut and modify them since you can repaint.

Hopefully in the next year or so I am going to make a modified 68-69 style cover mold and make me a few set of carbon fiber valve covers.

Tom
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I would be happy to help absorb the cost of that project sir. Please keep us in mind.
 
I'd say lose the cap adapt. It looks ridiculous. Why do you think you need such a thing?
 
Jeremiah (jd) said:
My original '68 GTS valve covers have never wanted to seal up, no matter the gasket used, on my 440 Source heads
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I have 440 Source heads, original chrome or aftermarket aluminum would never seal. Especially the chrome, always leaked between the chrome and gasket.
Glued the Felpro black gasket to the cover, no more leaks, can easily r&r covers at any time.
 
matthon said:
I have 440 Source heads, original chrome or aftermarket aluminum would never seal. Especially the chrome, always leaked between the chrome and gasket.
Glued the Felpro black gasket to the cover, no more leaks, can easily r&r covers at any time.
Click to expand...

I tried that with zero luck. The same valve covers worked just fine on a set of 452 castings. RTV, no RTV, etc etc. Ty for feedback!
 
RustyRatRod said:
Fine. I guess that's what I get or askin about something I'm unfamiliar with.
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Alright, I will try to come up with a more constructive answer. I apologize for being disrespectful.

The reason for running the big cap is being able to adjust the timing on the fly without getting into the adjacent cylinder in the firing order. I could run a crank trigger but this isn't that kind of party when it comes to the GTS if you know what I mean. I have two other cars that party like that :-)

Hopefully that makes sense there's a lot of aluminum dust flying around in here

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Is it just the dist clip that is making contact or the dist body?
Clip: rotate dist body [ that will require lifting the dist drive gear to clear the cam gear ] & rotating the drive gear 1-2 teeth.
Dist body: grind body for clearance.
 
I have plenty of clearance with the distributor body. Unfortunately the cap adapt is hard plastic and there isn't much meat or modification. I did cut off the cheesy distributor cap clip holding apparatus on the offending side and replaced it with a roll pin.

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We have clearance, Clarence : D

I'll go ahead and Clean Up This Disaster tonight and get the kids out here first thing in the morning so we can make a plug that will be welded from the inside. Plenty of room internally thanks to using steel rockers.

Much thanks to Pro Stock Tom we're talking me out of using the direct connection valve covers that we know will leak. I'll make sure to post up with the finished once it's welded and gets the Krylon touch.

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Jeremiah (jd) said:
We have clearance, Clarence : D

I'll go ahead and Clean Up This Disaster tonight and get the kids out here first thing in the morning so we can make a plug that will be welded from the inside. Plenty of room internally thanks to using steel rockers.

Much thanks to Pro Stock Tom we're talking me out of using the direct connection valve covers that we know will leak. I'll make sure to post up with the finished once it's welded and gets the Krylon touch.

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Good, I'm so dumb.
I didn't even realize that was an Adapter.
You fixed it like I would have if I had that big ol cap.
 

Jeremiah (jd) said:
Alright, I will try to come up with a more constructive answer. I apologize for being disrespectful.

The reason for running the big cap is being able to adjust the timing on the fly without getting into the adjacent cylinder in the firing order. I could run a crank trigger but this isn't that kind of party when it comes to the GTS if you know what I mean. I have two other cars that party like that :)

Hopefully that makes sense there's a lot of aluminum dust flying around in here

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Thanks for explaining it. Had no idea!
 
I would have pictures of the plug to cover up the hole but my 20-year-old belt sander died and I had to go to Harbor Freight and replace it this morning. I'm always surprised how much shop equipment and other consumables have gone up in price. I used to shop the higher end made in America B
brands and now I don't bother because they are way out of my price range by a factor of 100x
 
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