Valve covers
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Valve covers
This should be an easy one for the group. I installed my new zz383 crate engine a few months ago. Now I am looking to dress it up a bit w/some new valve covers. I like the early style 1955-63 covers w/fins and "corvette" in script - but they dont have an opening for a pcv valve, and consequently no drippers.
So question is: 1) does anyone know if these will fit over roller rockers(presuming I get the straight across bolt pattern); and 2) I can drill a hole in the cover, but do I need to have the drippers?
Thanks
So question is: 1) does anyone know if these will fit over roller rockers(presuming I get the straight across bolt pattern); and 2) I can drill a hole in the cover, but do I need to have the drippers?
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 592
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From: ElP TX
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Not all roller rockers are the same, and big blocks differ a lot from small blocks. I had installed roller rockers on my 405 build, and I test fit a set of short stock Vortec center bolt valve covers and even THEY cleared the rockers I was using. I'm just saying not all roller rockers are built the same and some may fit and others won't.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
Not too many good centerbolt valve covers. However there is a solution, but it is not exactly cheap.
GM part #24502540 are adapters that allow you to use regular perimeter bolt valve covers on a center bolt head. It also raises the valve cover about 3/8" which will give you that clearance. This will really open up your choices. Not cheap but effective. $155.88 at Summit Racing.
Trick Flow has a similiar adapter for only $102 but it has more "ribs" and requires narrow bodyy roller rockers.
GM part #24502540 are adapters that allow you to use regular perimeter bolt valve covers on a center bolt head. It also raises the valve cover about 3/8" which will give you that clearance. This will really open up your choices. Not cheap but effective. $155.88 at Summit Racing.
Trick Flow has a similiar adapter for only $102 but it has more "ribs" and requires narrow bodyy roller rockers.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Not too many good centerbolt valve covers. However there is a solution, but it is not exactly cheap.
GM part #24502540 are adapters that allow you to use regular perimeter bolt valve covers on a center bolt head. It also raises the valve cover about 3/8" which will give you that clearance. This will really open up your choices. Not cheap but effective. $155.88 at Summit Racing.
Trick Flow has a similiar adapter for only $102 but it has more "ribs" and requires narrow bodyy roller rockers.
GM part #24502540 are adapters that allow you to use regular perimeter bolt valve covers on a center bolt head. It also raises the valve cover about 3/8" which will give you that clearance. This will really open up your choices. Not cheap but effective. $155.88 at Summit Racing.
Trick Flow has a similiar adapter for only $102 but it has more "ribs" and requires narrow bodyy roller rockers.
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: ElP TX
Not all roller rockers are the same, and big blocks differ a lot from small blocks. I had installed roller rockers on my 405 build, and I test fit a set of short stock Vortec center bolt valve covers and even THEY cleared the rockers I was using. I'm just saying not all roller rockers are built the same and some may fit and others won't.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: ElP TX
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Oh yeah, I love those. They blend with my LT1 manifold, so I have a mix of old school and new school, in a balanced relationship.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,914
Likes: 229
From: Oakbank Manitoba
I've got harland sharp roller rockers under my powdercoated L82 valve covers. The drippers needed to be removed and a slight bit ground off the tips of the polly locks. I'm using S/R torquer heads though.
Pro
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From: ElP TX
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Well that all depends. The same roller rockers that fit under the Vortec valve covers would not fit under these finned covers. The casting of these covers is a lot thicker than the Vortec covers. I am going to have to either buy some slim design rockers, or go back to standard.