Downdraft

hi, my ‘65 Vert 383 has tall valve covers and we like the look. However i would like power steering and the driver’s side valve cover gets in the way. Has anybody cut a portion of the cover to permit the installation of the power brake unit? Any other possibilities? Thanks

JohnZ

Your post is very confusing - are you talking about power steering (PS) or power brakes? Power steering has nothing to do with the valve covers.

rongold

Big blocks with power brakes had the rear lower corner of the driver's side valve cover pressed down to clear the booster. Small blocks didn't need that, but if you have taller than normal valve covers, you might have to do something. The B/B covers did not have a squared off corner like your covers, and they evidently flattened easily. Flattening a squared off corner might take some ingenuity. I guess you could have a welder cut off the corner and weld a flat piece on, but then you would have to get it rechromed.


RON

GearheadJoe

That's a very handsome engine and I can see why you would want to retain the valve covers. Assuming that you are talking about power brakes and not power steering, you have a couple options:

1) You can convert to different valve covers that are stock height or at least just a bit taller than stock. If your 383 has roller rockers, some people will tell you that you need tall valve covers, but that is not quite correct. Roller rockers will clear stock valve covers just fine, but the Polylocks used to adjust them need to be carefully selected to clear the valve covers. I have more info on this if you are interested.

2) I have seen various resto-mod builds where a non-stock power brake booster was used that provided better valve cover clearance than the stock C2 booster. Unfortunately, I can not recall what brands ot models were used. However, with some research you could probably find one that would clear your existing valve covers.


I'd be inclined to stick with a stock power brake booster and use Option 1 to fit valve covers that are not as tall. Overall I think this would be easier than trying to retrofit a non-stock power brake booster.

Cautrell05

Just FYI, the one from SSBC doesn't fit unless you are leaving the hood off.


The extra length of the double booster pushes the master cylinder up into the hood. Lots of valve cover clearance though.

bmans vette

As the vehicle is not NCRS....did you consider converting it to hydroboost?
Much smaller unit than the big power booster.

I am sure others have done that mod.
Do a search for hydroboost in C1 & 2 Tech Section.

Good luck.

Downdraft

Yes, I meant to write power brakes. Thanks for all your suggestions, i will now study and decide. What a great forum!