I have been reading the posts on valve covers and heads. It seems like everyone states that if you use Edelbrock heads you have to go with roller rockers. but the roller rockers will not fit under stock valve covers. I see that people are putting double gaskets and short poly locks and getting them to work. I have a 70 supreme and I have no room between the valve cover and the AC bracket or the alternator bracket. The engine that is in the car is a 350 and the new engine will be a 455. Are the 455 valve covers lower than the 350 covers? There's no way I would be able to get 2 gaskets under the 350 valve covers and be able to reinstall the AC or generator brackets.

 

I went through the same situation and ended up altering my brackets. I have the Mondello heads and their valve covers the alternator and AC brackets would not fit. Perhaps someone else has more info than I have. Good luck.

 

 

Is there anyway you can send me some pics on how you did it?
Mike

 

Most guys remove the VC baffles and use thicker gaskets.

 

How do they keep the PCV from sucking oil?

 

I fabbed baffles in mine, wish I could find the pics. Anyhow, we tigged a piece of bar stock across the VC at the bottom below the holes, and bent up some 18 ga into a U shape, then bolted the baffles in...works good

 

Mike the alternator bracket, H bracket, I had to actually cut the cross member piece completely out making it a 2 piece bracket. I haven’t installed the AC bracket yet but I test fit it and I know there will be work to be done on it. I attached the best picture I have of the modification. I have the car in storage for the winter so it is not readily available for me to snap another picture, hopefully it helps.


Drew

 

Ok, thats something to think about, thanks Drew!!

 

 

I would really like to see those pics if you can post them!8

 

I'll look on another HD..

 

Thank you!

 

Here yah go..

 

WOW, That's really cool! You say that will fit in between the rockers and keep the oil from being sucked into the PCV system? What rockers are you running? How wide is the baffle?
Mike

 

Harland Sharp/Mondello purple mini shaft rockers. The baffle is about an inch wide, plenty of room, probably deeper than they need to be. I have seen baffles that were glued in with JB Weld, but if you try that make sure the valve cover is squeaky clean..

 

You can shorten the studs and use shorter Chevy poly locks to get the stock height valves cover on. I have done this and it will work.

 

Thank you very much! You guy's have a great site here! [all I have to do is learn how to use it, LOL] Thanks again!
Mike

 

Wouldn't a shorter stud change the rocket arm geometry?

 

No,the geometry is going to be the same. Here's what I did,I had a set of OEM cast heads. You have to mill them about the thickness of the guide plate. If you look @ a set of Olds roller rockers,they are radius ed on the slot because the rockers sit low on the stud. The poly locks were long and hit the cover. So I shortened the stud,used shorter poly locks and they cleared the covers fine. This is assuming the E brock heads are similar to stock heads and the rockers sit low on the stud. I figure the E brock heads have the same rail height as stock so the covers can clear. It's possible the rockers sit higher on the studs on the E brock and this will not work. It's just a matter of checking the covers to see how much clearance is needed and go from there. I know that using stock heads,the geometry is hard to get, so I used lash caps to help keep the rocker on the valve. Every engine is different,so it may or may not work. I know the Comp Cams adjustable rocker set clears the covers,so it's just a matter of how a guy wants to do it.

 

Recently installed Bernard Mondello/Procomp heads with Howard roller rockers & poly locks. I used the chrome indent valve covers from inline tube and had to modify the bafolds. Also needed 3 valve cover gaskets & longer V/C bolts. I eliminated the pvc valve & went with 2 breathers. The alternator braket went ok with slight elongating the hole for the head & intake bolt. The factory A/C bracket will have to be ground down on the underside. I used an angle grinder. If you use the performer intake you will need to cut the bracket where she mounts to the intake....I will try to post more pics. for some stupid reason when I post 1 pic it replaces the previous one!!

Be careful sliding the engine back. I removed the brake booster/m/c assembly which made life much easier.

 

why can't i post more than 1 pic????

 

iPad? That's a common complaint w them

 

retro...your on the money....as usual

 

Hey Shaft (right on), when I get home & off the eye yay yay pad I can post some more pic's or if you want more specific shots or info send a p/m

 

That sounds good, do you know if the 455 notched valve are the same as 350? I looked at the 350 ones and the A/C bracket touches the top of the valve cover. I don't know if iI would have enough bracket to grind out!

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The other thing I thought about is actually cutting the front bracket just before the compressor at the top of the bracket and welding a spacer about 3/8 of an inch thick. Trouble is if it doesn't work I will have to locate another set and the old lady is already freeking out about the cost of this swap!

 

not sure, but the folks at in line tube are very helpful and you may be able to get the info from their Olds catalog. I saw an original olds A/C 2 piece bracket on ebay bout 2 weeks ago for 99. but missed it. You won't need to grind much. the notch in the v/c helps a bunch.

 

Yeah I like using an iPad as well, but it can be pain to paste links or add pics and a number of other simple to do tasks w a PC. I usually split my time between the two so I don't even try to do some stuff w the iPad

 

Thanks , I will order there catalog.. I never heard of there company. Thanks for all the advice.
Mike

 

Thanks Slam, what a great web site, I have been looking for some of those items for12 years now!

 

agreed, I think this site would better serve the users if there was a page with vendors and users review of the vendors. Kinda like yelp for restaurants.

 

I think that would be cool, what a great idea!!!

 

Does anyone know of the 455 notched valve covers are the same as the 350 except for the notches of coarse .