Tall big block valve cover? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BigDaddyV · 07-28-2014, 11:39 AM

Anyone running tall valve covers on thier 454, 427...BBC? I have a 1972 C10 and will be running a BBC 454 w/ PB extreme dropmember. I was just seeing if anyone had some pics of tall valve covers and how much clearane you have if so.

FRANKENSTEINC10 · 07-28-2014, 12:08 PM

In my 72 I have tall valve covers and it just kisses the fire wall. Give it a little gas and problem solved. I'm getting the factory ones(half the height) hyrrodipped soon and will go back to them. I see if I have a pic of the engine bay

BigDaddyV · 07-28-2014, 12:09 PM

Thx Frankenstein

**68350** · 07-28-2014, 04:16 PM

I have tall valve covers with no clearance issues other than it was tight going in. It would have been easier if I took the power brake booster off lol. I'll try to get some pics here in a day or two

*Fitz* · 07-28-2014, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDaddyV

Anyone running tall valve covers on thier 454, 427...BBC? I have a 1972 C10 and will be running a BBC 454 w/ PB extreme dropmember. I was just seeing if anyone had some pics of tall valve covers and how much clearane you have if so.

Change the brake booster to a 7 in diameter dual diaphragm unit and there's plenty of clearance.

**Tom Vogel** · 07-28-2014, 04:55 PM

Every aftermarket valve cover could be different. My 454 sits on stock 72 towers and mounts. I had to clearance the back drivers side about 1/2". But... thats just my combination. fwiw These are fabbed aluminum, sorry I dont have a pic of the drivers side that I could find.

ho70 · 07-28-2014, 05:14 PM

I bought tall covers and they don't clear my rear ac bracket

Prematuregrey · 07-28-2014, 08:37 PM

Not sure how tall your talking but here's a pic of mine in the 4x4. They seem pretty darn tall to me but this is my first bb so don't know how much taller than stock these are. I'd say they are 2.5 to 3" height. My firewall was clearanced with some sheetmetal work to fit the bb in but its still tight. Have to kind of force it over the valves to get it on but nothing hits when its on. Maybe 1/2" clearance to the firewall on both sides.

Mike C · 07-28-2014, 09:25 PM

I ran some tall polished valve covers on my '70 Sierra Grande with the 402. I had to make an L shaped bracket to raise the rear support for the factory AC compressor, but everything else worked just fine.

J kippin · 07-28-2014, 09:32 PM

I am running talls on my truck no issues what so ever, I have 72 mounts on mine power brakes and a/c. I did need to remove the covers to sneak the engine in. No issue removing them to adjust the valves.
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Name: bbc 4.jpg
Views: 1432
Size: 65.5 KB

BigDaddyV · 07-29-2014, 06:45 AM

Thanks Guys for all the input. I think, I will go ahead with the tall script covers I found. Wanting a classic look (sorta) lol. I just dont like the low pro covers I have now.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 07-29-2014, 12:53 PM

The issue that I ran into trying to run tall covers was the alternator. When using the stock brackets and short water pump there wasn't enough adjustment in the alternator brackets to allow the alternator to clear the valve covers. The engine in J kippin's pic has the alternator on the right side of the engine witch means that he is probably running a long water pump. Not a stock configuration for the 68-72 trucks. WES

07-28-2014, 11:39 AM	#1
BigDaddyV Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Grand Island, Ne. Posts: 1,110	Tall big block valve cover? Anyone running tall valve covers on thier 454, 427...BBC? I have a 1972 C10 and will be running a BBC 454 w/ PB extreme dropmember. I was just seeing if anyone had some pics of tall valve covers and how much clearane you have if so. __________________ *J. Vess, 6'6", Gearhead, Welder, Fabricator, Nutcase* 1955 Chevy Stepside "Dudley" My daily http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=760288 1972 Chevy C10, Project "Chevro~Layed out" Nether Storm Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...23#post6007523

07-28-2014, 12:08 PM	#2
FRANKENSTEINC10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: DALLAS, TX Posts: 268	Re: Tall big block valve cover? In my 72 I have tall valve covers and it just kisses the fire wall. Give it a little gas and problem solved. I'm getting the factory ones(half the height) hyrrodipped soon and will go back to them. I see if I have a pic of the engine bay

07-28-2014, 12:09 PM	#3
BigDaddyV Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Grand Island, Ne. Posts: 1,110	Re: Tall big block valve cover? Thx Frankenstein __________________ *J. Vess, 6'6", Gearhead, Welder, Fabricator, Nutcase* 1955 Chevy Stepside "Dudley" My daily http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=760288 1972 Chevy C10, Project "Chevro~Layed out" Nether Storm Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...23#post6007523

07-28-2014, 04:16 PM	#4
68350 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Williston, ND Posts: 2,999	Re: Tall big block valve cover? I have tall valve covers with no clearance issues other than it was tight going in. It would have been easier if I took the power brake booster off lol. I'll try to get some pics here in a day or two __________________ 68 Chevy CST/10, 50th Anniversary, 327/th400, 373 posi, buckets 68 GMC Shortbox Stepside, 402/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.08 Positraction 69 Chevy Camaro SS, 383, 4 speed, positraction 70 Chevy El Camino SS396, Triple Black, 454/th400, Tach 70 Chevy Shortbox Stepside 4x4, 350/th350, Tilt, Tach, Cab Lights, Bumper Guards, Tow Hooks 70 Chevy 3/4 Longbox, 350/auto, 70k, SURVIVOR 71 Chevy Blazer, CST, 350/auto 71 GMC Sierra K2500, 454, 4 speed, 4.10 posi, 37s 71 Custom/30, Open Road, 350/th400, tilt 72 Chevy Shortbox Fleetside, 496 Stroker/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.42 Posi 72 GMC Sierra Grande 2500. 427/th400, tilt, a/c, tool and stowage, buckets/console, 3.54 posi

07-28-2014, 04:55 PM	#6
Tom Vogel 2WD Jimmy Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Davis County, Utah Posts: 2,564	Re: Tall big block valve cover? Every aftermarket valve cover could be different. My 454 sits on stock 72 towers and mounts. I had to clearance the back drivers side about 1/2". But... thats just my combination. fwiw These are fabbed aluminum, sorry I dont have a pic of the drivers side that I could find. Attached Images

07-28-2014, 05:14 PM	#7
ho70 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Winnipeg, Mb Posts: 1,115	Re: Tall big block valve cover? I bought tall covers and they don't clear my rear ac bracket

07-28-2014, 08:37 PM	#8
Prematuregrey Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 111	Re: Tall big block valve cover? Not sure how tall your talking but here's a pic of mine in the 4x4. They seem pretty darn tall to me but this is my first bb so don't know how much taller than stock these are. I'd say they are 2.5 to 3" height. My firewall was clearanced with some sheetmetal work to fit the bb in but its still tight. Have to kind of force it over the valves to get it on but nothing hits when its on. Maybe 1/2" clearance to the firewall on both sides. __________________ Owner: Times Are Tough Toys 92 4 Runner (Joyce, long story from my time in Africa) Lotsa stuff, just about finished dumping money into it. 89 Mercedes 560 SEL, Merdle. Wrecked 71 Chevy K20, Clifford, BB and 1 Tons

07-28-2014, 09:25 PM	#9
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,717	Re: Tall big block valve cover? I ran some tall polished valve covers on my '70 Sierra Grande with the 402. I had to make an L shaped bracket to raise the rear support for the factory AC compressor, but everything else worked just fine. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

07-28-2014, 09:32 PM	#10
J kippin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Cape Neddick Posts: 215	Re: Tall big block valve cover? I am running talls on my truck no issues what so ever, I have 72 mounts on mine power brakes and a/c. I did need to remove the covers to sneak the engine in. No issue removing them to adjust the valves.

07-29-2014, 06:45 AM	#11
BigDaddyV Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Grand Island, Ne. Posts: 1,110	Re: Tall big block valve cover? Thanks Guys for all the input. I think, I will go ahead with the tall script covers I found. Wanting a classic look (sorta) lol. I just dont like the low pro covers I have now. __________________ *J. Vess, 6'6", Gearhead, Welder, Fabricator, Nutcase* 1955 Chevy Stepside "Dudley" My daily http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=760288 1972 Chevy C10, Project "Chevro~Layed out" Nether Storm Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...23#post6007523

07-29-2014, 12:53 PM	#12
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Re: Tall big block valve cover? The issue that I ran into trying to run tall covers was the alternator. When using the stock brackets and short water pump there wasn't enough adjustment in the alternator brackets to allow the alternator to clear the valve covers. The engine in J kippin's pic has the alternator on the right side of the engine witch means that he is probably running a long water pump. Not a stock configuration for the 68-72 trucks. WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys



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