Intake and valve covers

[stepsider]

It seems like I have trim the valve covers every time I put on a Edelbrock Alum manifold on my SBC motor / Anyone else ??

[RustyPile]

Originally Posted by stepsider

It seems like I have trim the valve covers every time I put on a Edelbrock Alum manifold on my SBC motor / Anyone else ??

Yep, pretty much standard procedure.. Even the factory relieved the stock sheet metal covers to clear some of the factory 4 bbl intakes.

[Grumpy old man]

Use the 5/16 extra thick valve cover gaskets , Summit /ebay/etc , I needed them on my 350 with an Edelbrock CB3X intake (yes, I painted the aluminum intake )

[Accelo]

Grumpy;
"Use the 5/16 extra thick valve cover gaskets"
That is a great idea.

You didn't mention if you are using stock steel covers or aluminum.
The SBC has issues with valve cover leaks.
Which I consider one of the few design flaws of the early SBC.
Cutting into any of the support for the flange seems like it could only make it worse.
If using stamped steel covers I recommend using the supports that spread the load along both sides of the valve cover retaining bolts.
GM even made them. I don't know it the GM ones are still available but the aftermarket also manufactures them.
Issue is the quality of the aftermarket spreaders.
The aftermarket ones I have used could be bent by hand. They failed right at the bolt hole.
The GM ones are spring steel and a very nice design.
In MHO they are best solution for a bad design when using the stock stamped steel covers.
If you are talking about aluminum, which I am guessing you did, just use Grumpy's solution and call it a day.