Valve covers, short or tall - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Bleach · 10-11-2004, 10:54 PM

I have a 350 on my 69 which I cracked the aluminum valve cover on one side by tightening down to hard. Do I need short or tall one? What is the difference? I'm pretty sure the engine has not been highly modified.

Thanks in advance.

Chevyguy111786 · 10-11-2004, 11:11 PM

i'm curious on the same question...i had tall (i think) but like the look of short...is there a (mechanical) difference or just apperance.

68w/sbc406 · 10-12-2004, 12:16 AM

tall ones are for roller rockers and other aftermarket rocker systems that need more clearance. if your motor is stock you can go with shorties

Chevyguy111786 · 10-12-2004, 12:29 AM

so if i go with roller rockers (rebuilding as we speak) i need tall? or can i still run short? luckily i haven't bought these yet.

68w/sbc406 · 10-12-2004, 12:35 AM

not a roller rocker pro but i think that they are taller off of the top of the head than stock. just measure them both. one of my friends didnt think about the difference in lift when he did a cam and turned his over with the stock valve covers and he had some dents.

Tx Firefighter · 10-12-2004, 08:00 AM

Like 68w/sbc406 said, you really need to check clearance before automatically assuming rollers will require tall covers. Some aftermarket covers are taller than stock, but not truly a tall cover. Some guys get away with stacking up two valve cover gaskets to give them the clearance they need and still use stock covers for stealth look.

Every engine, cam ,and rocker combination is different. Yours may vary from mine or his.

Chevyguy111786 · 10-12-2004, 01:33 PM

gotcha

67_SS396 · 10-12-2004, 04:43 PM

I just finished installing a new engine in the Z and it has full roller rockers and Dart IE's. I was able to get away with using the stock shorties with only one gasket. There was actually more side clearance with the short covers than the tall covers that were on the engine when I bought it. They previously said, sometimes you can get away with it, others you can't.

poff · 10-12-2004, 04:54 PM

Keep in mind that tall valve covers can cause alternator bracket clearance problems if you have the early style driverside brackets. You can make it work but the stock set up is better.

shuttermutt · 10-12-2004, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poff

Keep in mind that tall valve covers can cause alternator bracket clearance problems if you have the early style driverside brackets. You can make it work but the stock set up is better.

Or if you've got A/C where the compressor uses that goofy "over the valve cover" bracket like mine.

10-11-2004, 10:54 PM	#1
Bleach this guy Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Southwest VA Posts: 122	Valve covers, short or tall I have a 350 on my 69 which I cracked the aluminum valve cover on one side by tightening down to hard. Do I need short or tall one? What is the difference? I'm pretty sure the engine has not been highly modified. Thanks in advance. __________________ Duct tape is like The Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

10-12-2004, 12:16 AM	#3
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	tall ones are for roller rockers and other aftermarket rocker systems that need more clearance. if your motor is stock you can go with shorties __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

10-12-2004, 12:35 AM	#5
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	not a roller rocker pro but i think that they are taller off of the top of the head than stock. just measure them both. one of my friends didnt think about the difference in lift when he did a cam and turned his over with the stock valve covers and he had some dents. __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

10-12-2004, 08:00 AM	#6
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Like 68w/sbc406 said, you really need to check clearance before automatically assuming rollers will require tall covers. Some aftermarket covers are taller than stock, but not truly a tall cover. Some guys get away with stacking up two valve cover gaskets to give them the clearance they need and still use stock covers for stealth look. Every engine, cam ,and rocker combination is different. Yours may vary from mine or his. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

10-12-2004, 04:43 PM	#8
67_SS396 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Blue Ridge, Tx Posts: 1,172	I just finished installing a new engine in the Z and it has full roller rockers and Dart IE's. I was able to get away with using the stock shorties with only one gasket. There was actually more side clearance with the short covers than the tall covers that were on the engine when I bought it. They previously said, sometimes you can get away with it, others you can't. __________________ Fawker Fab three seater rock crawler buggy 498 BBC/SM465/203/205 doubler, propane, 5.13's, 42" PB Rockers '66 C10 - The new hot rod '77 3+3 Dually - 12 valve 4wd conversion tow rig project '28 Ford 2 door sedan street rod RevLimit Offroad "Hang on beer, we can do this."

10-11-2004, 11:11 PM	#2
Chevyguy111786 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Garland, Texas Posts: 1,127	i'm curious on the same question...i had tall (i think) but like the look of short...is there a (mechanical) difference or just apperance.

10-12-2004, 12:29 AM	#4
Chevyguy111786 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Garland, Texas Posts: 1,127	so if i go with roller rockers (rebuilding as we speak) i need tall? or can i still run short? luckily i haven't bought these yet.

10-12-2004, 01:33 PM	#7
Chevyguy111786 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Garland, Texas Posts: 1,127	gotcha

10-12-2004, 04:54 PM	#9
poff Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: san diego, ca Posts: 546	Keep in mind that tall valve covers can cause alternator bracket clearance problems if you have the early style driverside brackets. You can make it work but the stock set up is better. __________________ '70 K-20 San Diego, CA



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