78Cutlass4Speed

Does anyone offer tall stamped steel valve covers that aren't chrome plated? I want to ditch the chrome valve covers on my 455 since they are starting to rust. I want to go back to the painted stock covers but they won't clear the roller rockers. Or... should I get a set of valve cover spacers (3/4 or 1 inch) to get the necessary clearance?

cutlassefi

Unless you have a rocker setup that I'm not familiar with, the 3/8" spacers offered on eBay should work just fine.

rummer

I am running aluminum covers over top of the roller rockers. The taller covers did result in me having to run a hydroboost system as the brake vacuum booster would not clear. As well I had to do some strategic trimming on the heater / AC box on the other side.

78Cutlass4Speed

I have Harland & Sharp rockers and know they won't clear the stock covers without spacers. Thought I read somewhere that the stock oil baffles reduced clearance by 1/2" or more inside the cover. That's why I mentioned a spacer 3/4" or larger just to be sure. I won't have any issues with any brackets or other things in the way so the overall height won't be a problem.

oldcutlass

They sell short polylocks that will help you clear a standard vc with thick gaskets.

67OAI

You may be able to find a pair of early valve covers that do not have the baffles; worked for me with Harland Sharp rockers.

mrw8i

I've got Scorpion Roller Rockers regular PolyLocks, old set of MT aluminum valve covers, a 3/8" spacer glued directly to the valve cover, and valve cover gasket between the head and spacer.

GOSFAST

We do these all the time, 100% stock-appearing, fully rollered (Comp's retro-hyd's), studs/guide plates, Sharp roller rockers, and never any issues??

We are instructed to use stock valve covers AND single-thick V/C gaskets!

This came off the dyno at 414+ HP @ 5200 / 480#T @ 3800 with a 9.7:1 C.R.

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S Here's a few shots of a fairly recent one! If you look closely you can see the retro lifters!