Trouble with tall Aluminum Valve Covers - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

MountainMan · 06-19-2009, 09:39 AM

Greetings to all. I am working on a 1972 Chevy 4x4. I had removed and now am reinstalling the cab on the frame. I have already set my engine and trans. The engine is a custom built, 350 with a set of aluminum heads (Pro Comps) and tall aluminum valve covers. Now, I can't get the cab to realign on the mounts due to interference with the valve covers. It looks like the needed forward movement is about 3/4 to 1" to clear the covers. Has anyone had the problem before? Any suggestions? Thanks to everyone for his or her comments and suggestions.

OLDCHEV4X4 · 06-19-2009, 10:23 AM

I had to go with the short ones because of this very problem.

Ohh...And welcome from Coatesville PA.

MountainMan · 06-19-2009, 10:30 AM

I can't go with short ones. I am running roller rockers and need the clearance. The tall ones are not only for looks. Thanks for the reply. And thanks for the welcome.

Eturnit3 · 06-19-2009, 12:37 PM

You may need to modify the firewall in that case...

MountainMan · 06-20-2009, 09:34 AM

I don't think the customer would want to modify a $7,500 paint job. But he might. So, I'm hearing that the tall covers will NOT work at all? I don't believe that I have ever had any problem like this before with all the trucks I've worked on. It is very puzzling.

MountainMan · 06-20-2009, 09:35 AM

Also, since it is a 4 wheel drive, there are issues with moving the engine forward. I'd do this to get the clearance if it were not for the 4 wheel drive configuration limiting where I can mount things.

OLDCHEV4X4 · 06-20-2009, 10:19 AM

Body lift. I don't care for the look of a body lift, but it is a option.
Notch the fire wall.
Moving the motor foreward on a 4x4 is involved and a lot of work. Might have to go to electric fans.
Go to roller tip rockers and short valve covers. This is what i did.

Good luck.

MountainMan · 06-20-2009, 11:23 AM

Thanks. I have always used tall covers on rollers. I'll try a set of short covers to see if they will fit over the rollers. I have roller rockers on the engine right now. Really a nice engine looks and runs great. If short covers will work, then I'll do that. Just have never used short ones on rollers. Notching firewall is out. Setting engine forward is out. Thanks.

**chevy71super** · 06-21-2009, 10:20 PM

I have tall valve covers on my 71 4X4 to clear the roller rockers. They clear the firewall without hitting using stock mounts (new). Its the second set I used on the truck without issues. I can try and take a picture if you like. Doug

MountainMan · 06-22-2009, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevy71super

I have tall valve covers on my 71 4X4 to clear the roller rockers. They clear the firewall without hitting using stock mounts (new). Its the second set I used on the truck without issues. I can try and take a picture if you like. Doug

The pictures would be awesome Doug. I didn't think that the covers would be an issue with this installation. Send them to my email at the following:

wades@mountainmanmotors.com

Thanks much.

turp mcspray · 06-22-2009, 11:08 AM

On some aftermarket heads they have a thicker deck surface to allow more milling to be done if you are after more compression. Some also have a taller valve cover rail so the oil doesn't puddle up against the gasket like it does on a stock head. ( less chance for oil to leak from the valve covers) These both add up to a taller head. My guess is this is why you are having a clearance issue.

Eturnit3 · 06-22-2009, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MountainMan

I don't think the customer would want to modify a $7,500 paint job. But he might. So, I'm hearing that the tall covers will NOT work at all? I don't believe that I have ever had any problem like this before with all the trucks I've worked on. It is very puzzling.

And thus we see the importance of mock up, good luck and please let us know what solution you find...

MountainMan · 06-23-2009, 09:12 AM

If it were mine I would have mocked up the assembly. The customer just wanted the engine built - whick I did. If he had mocked it up, we could have seen the interference. BUT, the good news is, there is no problem actually. The clearance is there - albeit small - but still clearance. The cab mounts did not have the right spacers which also contributed to the problem. Thanks for everyone's comments.

**chevy71super** · 06-25-2009, 07:53 AM

Glad it worked out. I took a couple of pictures but it was hard to see how much clearance there was. (There isn't much.) I can stick my pinky finger between the head cover and cab on the passenger side and maybe had half that much room on the drivers side. Good thing is after 5 years they head covers haven't touched the cab.

MountainMan · 06-25-2009, 08:16 AM

Yeah. The guy that's doing the install of the engine and assembly of the truck just didn't want to mess up something. Clearance is like almost nothing but you can get a sheet of paper between the cab and the covers. Using polyu mounts so there will be little or no flex in the motor when it torques up. (I hope since the engine is pretty hot). Thanks for all the info. Case closed.

06-19-2009, 09:39 AM	#1
MountainMan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fall Creek Falls, TN Posts: 8	Trouble with tall Aluminum Valve Covers Greetings to all. I am working on a 1972 Chevy 4x4. I had removed and now am reinstalling the cab on the frame. I have already set my engine and trans. The engine is a custom built, 350 with a set of aluminum heads (Pro Comps) and tall aluminum valve covers. Now, I can't get the cab to realign on the mounts due to interference with the valve covers. It looks like the needed forward movement is about 3/4 to 1" to clear the covers. Has anyone had the problem before? Any suggestions? Thanks to everyone for his or her comments and suggestions.

06-19-2009, 10:23 AM	#2
OLDCHEV4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Chester County PA, USA Posts: 1,228	Re: Trouble with tall Aluminum Valve Covers I had to go with the short ones because of this very problem. Ohh...And welcome from Coatesville PA. __________________ 72 k/10 short wideside 72 k/5 Blazer 72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer 72 custom/10 8' bed 70 K/5 Blazer 67 C-30 GMC Flat bed 86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck 85 GMC K3500 84 M1008 85 M1008 77 G30 Motor Home 72 Sears 12hp Tractor Glenmoore, Pennsylvania Last edited by OLDCHEV4X4; 06-19-2009 at 10:26 AM.

06-19-2009, 10:30 AM	#3
MountainMan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fall Creek Falls, TN Posts: 8	Re: Trouble with tall Aluminum Valve Covers I can't go with short ones. I am running roller rockers and need the clearance. The tall ones are not only for looks. Thanks for the reply. And thanks for the welcome. Last edited by MountainMan; 06-19-2009 at 10:31 AM. Reason: Forgot to say thanks for the welcome.

06-19-2009, 12:37 PM	#4
Eturnit3 Bloodied Knuckles Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Grass Valley CA Posts: 273	Re: Trouble with tall Aluminum Valve Covers You may need to modify the firewall in that case...

06-20-2009, 09:34 AM	#5
MountainMan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fall Creek Falls, TN Posts: 8	Re: Trouble with tall Aluminum Valve Covers I don't think the customer would want to modify a $7,500 paint job. But he might. So, I'm hearing that the tall covers will NOT work at all? I don't believe that I have ever had any problem like this before with all the trucks I've worked on. It is very puzzling.

06-20-2009, 09:35 AM	#6
MountainMan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fall Creek Falls, TN Posts: 8	Re: Trouble with tall Aluminum Valve Covers Also, since it is a 4 wheel drive, there are issues with moving the engine forward. I'd do this to get the clearance if it were not for the 4 wheel drive configuration limiting where I can mount things.

06-20-2009, 10:19 AM	#7
OLDCHEV4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Chester County PA, USA Posts: 1,228	Re: Trouble with tall Aluminum Valve Covers Body lift. I don't care for the look of a body lift, but it is a option. Notch the fire wall. Moving the motor foreward on a 4x4 is involved and a lot of work. Might have to go to electric fans. Go to roller tip rockers and short valve covers. This is what i did. Good luck. __________________ 72 k/10 short wideside 72 k/5 Blazer 72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer 72 custom/10 8' bed 70 K/5 Blazer 67 C-30 GMC Flat bed 86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck 85 GMC K3500 84 M1008 85 M1008 77 G30 Motor Home 72 Sears 12hp Tractor Glenmoore, Pennsylvania

06-20-2009, 11:23 AM	#8
MountainMan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fall Creek Falls, TN Posts: 8	Re: Trouble with tall Aluminum Valve Covers Thanks. I have always used tall covers on rollers. I'll try a set of short covers to see if they will fit over the rollers. I have roller rockers on the engine right now. Really a nice engine looks and runs great. If short covers will work, then I'll do that. Just have never used short ones on rollers. Notching firewall is out. Setting engine forward is out. Thanks.

06-21-2009, 10:20 PM	#9
chevy71super Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: So Cal Posts: 658	Re: Trouble with tall Aluminum Valve Covers I have tall valve covers on my 71 4X4 to clear the roller rockers. They clear the firewall without hitting using stock mounts (new). Its the second set I used on the truck without issues. I can try and take a picture if you like. Doug __________________ 71 Cheyenne Super 4X4 SB 72 Cheyenne Super 4X4 SB 72 Cheyenne 4X4 SB

06-22-2009, 11:08 AM	#11
turp mcspray Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rapid City South Dakota Posts: 2,359	Re: Trouble with tall Aluminum Valve Covers On some aftermarket heads they have a thicker deck surface to allow more milling to be done if you are after more compression. Some also have a taller valve cover rail so the oil doesn't puddle up against the gasket like it does on a stock head. ( less chance for oil to leak from the valve covers) These both add up to a taller head. My guess is this is why you are having a clearance issue. __________________ Turp Mcspray New life for an old 2wd, farm blazer http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=505987 My Blazer build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342299

06-23-2009, 09:12 AM	#13
MountainMan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fall Creek Falls, TN Posts: 8	Re: Trouble with tall Aluminum Valve Covers If it were mine I would have mocked up the assembly. The customer just wanted the engine built - whick I did. If he had mocked it up, we could have seen the interference. BUT, the good news is, there is no problem actually. The clearance is there - albeit small - but still clearance. The cab mounts did not have the right spacers which also contributed to the problem. Thanks for everyone's comments.

06-25-2009, 07:53 AM	#14
chevy71super Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: So Cal Posts: 658	Re: Trouble with tall Aluminum Valve Covers Glad it worked out. I took a couple of pictures but it was hard to see how much clearance there was. (There isn't much.) I can stick my pinky finger between the head cover and cab on the passenger side and maybe had half that much room on the drivers side. Good thing is after 5 years they head covers haven't touched the cab. __________________ 71 Cheyenne Super 4X4 SB 72 Cheyenne Super 4X4 SB 72 Cheyenne 4X4 SB

06-25-2009, 08:16 AM	#15
MountainMan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fall Creek Falls, TN Posts: 8	Re: Trouble with tall Aluminum Valve Covers Yeah. The guy that's doing the install of the engine and assembly of the truck just didn't want to mess up something. Clearance is like almost nothing but you can get a sheet of paper between the cab and the covers. Using polyu mounts so there will be little or no flex in the motor when it torques up. (I hope since the engine is pretty hot). Thanks for all the info. Case closed.



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