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I have a pair of GMPP tall valve covers I'll be using on my 455 build. Will the stock accessory brackets for the alternator and power steering pump clear them or do I need to find something else? Non-AC car.
I never have seen or used a non-Ac bracket set for a big block Olds. I realize they made them, but I never had any experience with them.
I know that on an AC setup of brackets, there wouldn’t be room under the alternator or ac bracket for the tall Olds Performance valve covers.
I was always slipping the alternator belt and having issues keeping belts tensioned not to squeal, even on several mild big block builds with excellent alignment.
The March system I listed was one of the best upgrades we could have done to increase reliability for the accessories.
Those covers are awesome, but if you don’t need them to clear some very tall valvetrain and bulky roller rockers, you might just stay with stock covers or buy the billet valve cover spacers.
Last edited by Battenrunner; Dec 9, 2023 at 09:45 PM.
The engine had non-AC brackets when I got the car, but it wasn't original to the donor car and I don't know if they were original to the engine. Engine had a short water pump and stock pulleys so probably safe to assume it never supported AC.
I've been eyeballing those March pulleys and brackets though, and trying to convince myself to spring for them. They definitely look good. For their "Ultra" kit with no AC, what water pump would you use? Their specs say 5.25 but our options are 5.1 and 5.6?
As for the March setup, I don’t recall now, but I believe we are running a shorter Flowcooler pump assembly and I can’t remember if we used some water pump spacer washers or what; as it may have been fine with the stock short pump or came with spacers.
My Dad assembled that when I wasn’t around. I will ask him about it and see if he remembers.
It is a lot of $$$, but I can say I didn’t regret spending that once it was on. Also, you can always use it on future engine builds with a BBO.
Pretty much my problem too. I just know enough to be kicking myself for not marking all the various brackets when I got them or removed them. At least I have a stock 350 to refer to!
As for the March setup, I don’t recall now, but I believe we are running a shorter Flowcooler pump assembly and I can’t remember if we used some water pump spacer washers or what; as it may have been fine with the stock short pump or came with spacers. My Dad assembled that when I wasn’t around. I will ask him about it and see if he remembers.
Not from what I've read. I don't have the engine and the body is off the frame so I can't mock anything up, but apparently there's some interference even with an 8" booster. Supposedly that can be fixed by removing some material from the valve cover which I'm not willing to do. I've got a Hydraboost system so that's a non-issue now.
Yep, power brake booster was a no-go for room with these tall covers.
I am happy that we just stayed manual master cylinder on ours to keep things simple. We had a single channel master, so we had to run new lines anyways, and went to a 78 Monza dual master cylinder to match the 4 wheel disc brake 4-piston calipers we had.
I might move to a 15/16 master cylinder in the future, but haven’t decided yet. Need to put some miles on it first and get the adjustable proportioning valve set in the correct spot.
Last edited by Battenrunner; Dec 10, 2023 at 03:53 PM.
