Big block valve covers...bummer
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Big block valve covers...bummer
Was all ready to place a bid on a minty set of Mickey Thompson aluminum valve covers for my '72 on E-bay yesterday. I always liked the M/T covers and I sure miss the late Mickey Thompson...he was a really great guy and an asset to hot rodding. Anyway, figured I better go check clearance because they looked a bit tall. Went out to the garage with ruler in hand. BUMMER! Left side looks like it MIGHT BARELY clear the power brake booster...but not sure. Right side looks like it will hit that stoopid wiper vacuum gizmo. DANG!!!! I sure won't dent perfect aluminum covers to get them to fit, and I don't want to risk buying them and NOT having them fit.
So I let them slip by. I was bummed for the whole evening :cry :cry :cry
Dep
So I let them slip by. I was bummed for the whole evening :cry :cry :cry
Dep
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Re: Big block valve covers...bummer (Dep)
Dep,
My covers are a compromise between tall valve covers and stock. I don't know why many say it is so important to have the drivers side notch on the stock covers for pb clearance. My taller covers have plenty of room without any notch. The vacuum canister on the passenger's side is another issue. My taller covers without any breathers just make it. They also clear my full roller rockers. Sitting on a flat table, my rockers are 3.5" tall along the ribbed edge closest to the headers. The ribbed edge closest to the intake is 3.25" tall.
Chuck
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Re: Big block valve covers...bummer (Chuck Harmon)
Chuck: I was hoping you would reply. I knew you had some higher covers on your Vette. From the looks of the way mine is right now, it will be VERY close as far as clearance on the edge of the PB booster. I'm betting I won't be able to slip a female pubic hair in there if it goes on at all.
On the passenger side I just don't think it will fit at all. I am seriously thinking about just removing the popup cowl crap entirely. I am one of the lucky few that has one that works reliably, but I won't be driving this thing in the rain at the strip :)
Hey...George Daina never got back to me on a ZL-1 intake. Know anyone who has an authentic one they might want to sell?
yours,
Dep
P.S. Your PB booster has TONS more room than mine!!! Plus I think the MT covers may be taller too.
[Modified by Dep, 3:14 PM 10/13/2003]
On the passenger side I just don't think it will fit at all. I am seriously thinking about just removing the popup cowl crap entirely. I am one of the lucky few that has one that works reliably, but I won't be driving this thing in the rain at the strip :)
Hey...George Daina never got back to me on a ZL-1 intake. Know anyone who has an authentic one they might want to sell?
yours,
Dep
P.S. Your PB booster has TONS more room than mine!!! Plus I think the MT covers may be taller too.
[Modified by Dep, 3:14 PM 10/13/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
From: Johnston Iowa
Re: Big block valve covers...bummer (Dep)
When I purchased my 1969 it had M/T valve covers on it and they did not hit the power brake booster. This is on a big block L-36 car. I guess I don't see the M/T valves covers that came on this motor as being tall. Maybe they made different hieght M/T valve covers but I know for sure the M/T valve covers I have would interfere with the valve train I have on my new motor. They are just sitting in my garage on my old heads. If they only made one hieght and you are interested in them I would be interested in letting them go.
They would need to be cleaned up but they are not damaged at all. If you need some measurements or pics let me know.
They would need to be cleaned up but they are not damaged at all. If you need some measurements or pics let me know.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Re: Big block valve covers...bummer (Dep)
Dep,
Regarding the intake, it is the same part numbers al the L88.
The L88 and the ZL1 also used the same carb, air cleaner, distributor, heads, rods, crank, and maybe the cam.
Chuck
[Modified by Chuck Harmon, 2:14 PM 10/13/2003]
Regarding the intake, it is the same part numbers al the L88.
The L88 and the ZL1 also used the same carb, air cleaner, distributor, heads, rods, crank, and maybe the cam.
Chuck
[Modified by Chuck Harmon, 2:14 PM 10/13/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Big block valve covers...bummer (Dep)
Remember you can get a hydraboost system and run tall valve covers for stud girdles if you are thinking of getting crazy with the rpm's.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Re: Big block valve covers...bummer (Fevre)
James: DRAT! I already bid on a set on E-Bay. If I lose the bid I'll send you an e-mail...okay? I THINK they will fit...but it's iffy. Only one height that I know of so I'm hoping you are right and they will fit mine.
Chuck: casting #3933198 was for ZL-1. Should have a divided plenum.
Cams are different. L-88 used 3925535, Zl-1 used 3959180
And now I am ready to go blind reading these freaking numbers!!!
:D
Let me know about manifold if you can scrounge one. And check your e-mail!
Fevre: Not sure I want to go with hydraboost. Hopefully won't need it!
Dep
Chuck: casting #3933198 was for ZL-1. Should have a divided plenum.
Cams are different. L-88 used 3925535, Zl-1 used 3959180
And now I am ready to go blind reading these freaking numbers!!!
:D
Let me know about manifold if you can scrounge one. And check your e-mail!
Fevre: Not sure I want to go with hydraboost. Hopefully won't need it!
Dep
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 62,198
Likes: 1
From: All humans are vermin in the eyes of Guru VA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Big block valve covers...bummer (Dep)
How does hydra-boost work? Off the power-steering? What if you not have power steering, does anyone make a smaller brake booster?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Re: Big block valve covers...bummer (Dep)
Chuck: casting #3933198 was for ZL-1. Should have a divided plenum.
Cams are different. L-88 used 3925535, Zl-1 used 3959180
And now I am ready to go blind reading these freaking numbers!!!
:D
Dep
Cams are different. L-88 used 3925535, Zl-1 used 3959180
And now I am ready to go blind reading these freaking numbers!!!
:D
Dep
OOOhhhh, this is good! I can almost taste another pizza on the way! :cheers:
The casting #3933198 is also the one used for the L88. They were both crafted from the 3933163 manifold. They milled the center divider out of them, ground off the original casting number and somehow fixed a new one over it.
The cam numbers you speak of are correct, but my friend Jay has a well documented 69 L88 and his had the slightly higher lift #...180 cam. Because the engines were special hand built units at Tonawanda (sp?), I have little doubt that the new cams could very easily have found themselves installed into some of the racing L88 motors.
Even so, I did make a few hp more than Jay on the same dyno with my factory #...535 cam. His did have a bit of a miss however. (some might suspect me switching a few plug wires while he wasn't looking :jester )
Chuck
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Re: Big block valve covers...bummer (Chuck Harmon)
Chuckles: Find me that frigging manifold at a decent price and I'll stuff you full of pizza!!!! :party:
Dep
Dep
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: GA
Re: Big block valve covers...bummer (Dep)
I don't know if this is a good price... but I remembered this one...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2435241192
Hope this helps.... :leaving:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2435241192
Hope this helps.... :leaving:
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Re: Big block valve covers...bummer (Dep)
I don't think mine is the ZL-1 intake....maybe a 427...casting number 3933163.
I ran a three barrel, and had to mill part of the divider to clear the secondary throttle blade.
Out of curiousity, why do you have to use tall valve covers? I'm using stock 427 covers, trimmed the drippers so they clear the Polylocks, and double gasket...works great and no leaks.
[Modified by GDaina, 2:17 AM 10/14/2003]
I ran a three barrel, and had to mill part of the divider to clear the secondary throttle blade.
Out of curiousity, why do you have to use tall valve covers? I'm using stock 427 covers, trimmed the drippers so they clear the Polylocks, and double gasket...works great and no leaks.
[Modified by GDaina, 2:17 AM 10/14/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Re: Big block valve covers...bummer (Dep)
Cams are different. L-88 used 3925535, Zl-1 used 3959180
Dep
Dep
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Re: Big block valve covers...bummer (GDaina)
Mr.Gearhead: Yep...that's the manifold!!! Price is pretty decent.
George: Cripes my eyes are going bad reading these numbers :)
#3933163 I think that is a casting number....from what I see is off a '68-'69 396/375 HP or 427/425HP COPO engine.
What type of plenum does it have, 2-hole closed, 3-hole closed, or open?
If I (or Chuck) can't locate a ZL-1 original, I may take it off your hands.
The valve covers...I don't HAVE to use tall ones...I just like the Mickeys ;)
Dep
George: Cripes my eyes are going bad reading these numbers :)
#3933163 I think that is a casting number....from what I see is off a '68-'69 396/375 HP or 427/425HP COPO engine.
What type of plenum does it have, 2-hole closed, 3-hole closed, or open?
If I (or Chuck) can't locate a ZL-1 original, I may take it off your hands.
The valve covers...I don't HAVE to use tall ones...I just like the Mickeys ;)
Dep
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Re: Big block valve covers...bummer (Dep)
Dep,
George's manifold is the starting point for all 69 L88/ZL1 manifolds. After they milled out the divider, they affixed the 3933198 number over the old one. The new number is not glued, not engraved, but looks like it is a casting over the original. I don't know how they did it. This would be another great tirivia question.
Where are you getting the aluminum block?
Chuck
George's manifold is the starting point for all 69 L88/ZL1 manifolds. After they milled out the divider, they affixed the 3933198 number over the old one. The new number is not glued, not engraved, but looks like it is a casting over the original. I don't know how they did it. This would be another great tirivia question.
Where are you getting the aluminum block?
Chuck
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Big block valve covers...bummer (James)
I also had a set of MT valve covers on my big block at first but when I switched to a stud girdle I had to use the tall valve covers that would hit the power booster so I went to hydraboost and solved alot of problems.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Re: Big block valve covers...bummer (Chuck Harmon)
Chuck: Short block including aluminum block (Merlin) will come from PAW. Total cost is $7,000. Lots less than the GM block. They will give me whatever compression ratio and cam specs I want.
So from what you say I should just buy George's manifold? That's cool. I'd rather get one from someone here on the forum anyway. Wonder if George likes pizza? ;) Or if you want to share one with him? :D
Dep
So from what you say I should just buy George's manifold? That's cool. I'd rather get one from someone here on the forum anyway. Wonder if George likes pizza? ;) Or if you want to share one with him? :D
Dep