454 valve cover clearance....

[wyattglock]

I have a valve cover with a warped flange, it is on the passenger side. I would like to put a decent set of aftermarket covers on. My question is, will a tall valve cover still clear the a/c compressor?

Chevrolet Performance 12495488-this is the part number of the valve covers I would like to use.

[wyattglock]

Go figure, I actually spent the time to look, and it turns out these are stock height. No clearance issues there I am sure.

[Firebirdjones]

Don't know what year you are asking about but mine is a 79 with the old A6 compressor setup (Newer A4 style would have different brackets obviously). I installed a GM crate 502 with those same style cast aluminum covers you asked about and everything fits just fine.

[wyattglock]

Thanks! I have a 1989.
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[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by wyattglock

Thanks! I have a 1989.
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So an A4 style compressor (short stubby) ?? I don't see why that wouldn't work either, but I'm not as familiar with that bracket setup.

[wyattglock]

No, it is still the A6 style. The bracketry is very similar to your setup. Except my compressor sits over the valve cover almost on it's centerline. Let me run outside and see if I can get a good pic of it in a few minutes.

[wyattglock]

Here are some pics of the compressor mounted on the engine. To me, it looks like if I go with a tall valve cover, I would have to reshape/refabricate the bracket that bolts to the side of the head and curls over the top of the valve cover. That wouldn't be to hard to do.

[Firebirdjones]

Yes you would have interfearance with a tall valve cover for sure. I also have a 72 SS 454 chevelle with factory AC, which is nearly the identical setup on my truck that I pictured above. I built the engine with Crower full roller rockers, which required some valve cover clearance for the longer poly lock setup.

What I did, since my AC bracket won't clear taller valve covers (and I wanted to keep the stock appearance anyway) is simply double gasket the stock valve covers. That gave me just enough to clear the poly locks.

By the way, that compressor you have there looks like a cross between the short and stubby and the really long one I have on my 79 pictured above. Kind of looks like it's a size in between? That thing really sits way out in front too....

[wyattglock]

When I look the compressor up, it shows it as a DA-6. The descriptions I have read say that it has 6 pistons in it. Probably due to lower rpm. As to the bracket, I think I can fab up a bracket for the rear corner that might work. It might be possible to cut out the profille I need for clearance on a taller cover.
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