Small block valve cover clearance??

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wkroncke17

wkroncke17

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I know this has been discussed, can’t find any threads.
Small block LA, Eddy heads, Super Victor intake, valve covers hit the intake.
I’m sure some of you have come across this, what’s the best remedy?
Thanks all!!

Wally.
 
I have bought and sold a few pairs of valve covers that have been trimmed to clear the intake. (both aluminum and steel covers). It is the simplest thing to do and still get a good seal.
 
toolmanmike said:
I have bought and sold a few pairs of valve covers that have been trimmed to clear the intake. (both aluminum and steel covers). It is the simplest thing to do and still get a good seal.
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Any pics?
 
I use black silicone to glue them to the head. Then they help keep the oil in when I’m setting my valves.
C89BAB75-5D39-4C72-B52D-2E19551EF737.jpeg
 
Hellrats said:
VALVE COVER SPACERS 3/8" SMALL BLOCK MOPAR (318, 340, 360) With GASKETLOK | eBay

These are pricey but I have used them and they work great. I glue the gasket to the spacer so I can reuse them when I adjust valves.
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I just got a pair of these. With my intake (Stealth) ground down a lot the valve cover surface on the heads (Speed Master) is below the runners by 3/16" and I'm not going to grind valve covers enough to get them to fit. These spacer work great, now I just have to deal the the fact that the valve cover thread locations on the bottom are off on my heads too. Isn't engine building fun?!
 
dano said:
I just got a pair of these. With my intake (Stealth) ground down a lot the valve cover surface on the heads (Speed Master) is below the runners by 3/16" and I'm not going to grind valve covers enough to get them to fit. These spacer work great, now I just have to deal the the fact that the valve cover thread locations on the bottom are off on my heads too. Isn't engine building fun?!
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Just trim the part thats hiting the intake done a few my self no biggi
 
Just so some of you guys understand this isn’t a real big deal till you run the higher runner, higher performance intakes like the Super Victor or an Indy intake. Others may take a little fitting work but nothing like the two intakes I mentioned. And if you don’t fix it you WILL have a major oil leak. Ask me how I know.
 
MoparLeo said:
Just a guess... Edelbrock heads..Edlebrock intake... Edelbrock valve covers ? or call them.
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Thank you Leo.....Not Edelbrock Valve covers.
I prefer to deal with people here who are kind enough to share experiences and a fix if there is one.
 
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pittsburghracer said:
Just so some of you guys understand this isn’t a real big deal till you run the higher runner, higher performance intakes like the Super Victor or an Indy intake. Others may take a little fitting work but nothing like the two intakes I mentioned. And if you don’t fix it you WILL have a major oil leak. Ask me how I know.
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I'm doing my best to prevent a catastrophe, that's a huge help - Thank you.
Would it be best to get the 1" spacers to make sure there is plenty of room?

Thanks all for the assistance!
 
wkroncke17 said:
I'm doing my best to prevent a catastrophe, that's a huge help - Thank you.
Would it be best to get the 1" spacers to make sure there is plenty of room?

Thanks all for the assistance!
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like I said I have two sets and with the black Mopar performance valve covers the thinner set works great. I don’t really see the need for the thicker set on a standard set of heads. Now on something like a big block B1 head it may be a different story. They collect so much oil in the valve cover and are laid down so much if you don’t drill and tap the front and rear of the heads for drain lines (get plumbed into the oil pan) every time you set the valves a 1/2 quart of oil would be on the floor. I’m sure glad these spacers were available.
 
I used permatex to glue 2 sets of the re-usable valve cover gaskets together and have no leaks. I've had those valve covers off at least a dozen times in the past 2 years and no issues
 
I just hit my Mopar Performance valve covers with a grinder (similar to what is in post #6) and use thick gaskets, works well for me (Eddy heads with Victor intake).
 
flyfish said:
I just hit my Mopar Performance valve covers with a grinder (similar to what is in post #6) and use thick gaskets, works well for me (Eddy heads with Victor intake).
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Got my valve gaskets via ups today realy nice ones solid rubber som triming on the covers and we are in Good and running order
 
I have been running the Mopar Performance cast aluminum ones for years , been on: " J " heads, W2 heads and my current Indy 360-1 heads and have never had a problem ( yes I machined the ribs off ) A few years ago I tried a pair of fabricated covers.. one pass and it blew the gasket out, turns out the bottom of the covers was totally flat with no provision to hold the gasket . The M/P ones have an over hang to retain the gasket so they went back on no problems since.. just another thing to be aware of. I have a pair of the Mopar Magnum black cast covers on the 5.2 / 318 in my D150 and haven't had a problem with them either.

BA497C8A-B799-4617-A0BA-1B491913FCDF.jpeg
 
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personally, i grind the top portion of the intake to bring it flush with the valve cover surface or slightly lower. the intake must be off of the engine to do that . and you have to do it again when using different intakes.
i have to admit that the idea of using spacers seems like a better option. i didnt know the spacers existed when i ground my intakes.
 
BVoelzke said:
I have been running the Mopar Performance cast aluminum ones for years , been on: " J " heads, W2 heads and my current Indy 360-1 heads and have never had a problem ( yes I machined the ribs off ) A few years ago I tried a pair of fabricated covers.. one pass and it blew the gasket out, turns out the bottom of the covers was totally flat with no provision to hold the gasket . The M/P ones have an over hang to retain the gasket so they went back on no problems since.. just another thing to be aware of. I have a pair of the Mopar Magnum black cast covers on the 5.2 / 318 in my D150 and haven't had a problem with them either.

View attachment 1715720900
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I like thoughs valve covers, they look good with out the fins
 
3/8” spacers are on order, will post pics when they get installed and when engine fires up on the test run stand.
Thank you again everyone!
 
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