Anyone know if these valve covers will work on a 68 350. I know my stock valve covers have 5 bolts on the bottom and these have 3. Thank you, Tony

 

All 260-455 valve covers share the same bolt pattern. As you noted, some of the later valve covers didn’t use all the bolts. You can drill the holes if you like.

Keep in mind, while the might fit the engine, they may not fit what’s around the covers, specially alternator or A/C compressor/alternator mounting brackets.

 

The will not clear the stock brake booster, and apparently have issues with smaller boosters as well. I opted to go with a hydroboost system in order to use them. You also need to figure out how to relieve the crankcase pressure, there have been multiple discussions and suggestions on how to approach that. If you open holes for breathers, you need to install baffles. The stock brackets for passenger side alternator and driver side power steering reservoir will work with them.

The flanges are thick, like over 1/4", so the number of holes isn't an issue. If you're concerned, you can always open up the rest of the holes.

They look great and their intended function is to provide clearance for higher lift valve trains...but if just grabbing them because they look cool be ready for the various challenges you'll face to install them.

 

That's OK, they won't clear the factory accessory brackets either...

 

Not the AC at any rate. No problem with passenger side alternator setup.

 

Thank you all for the info. I was planning on running them just because they look cool, my 350 has stock lifters. The motor should be back next week, and is going to have fresh paint, and I got an aluminum intake, just trying to dress it up a little. I didn’t even think about the brackets or ac. I was thinking of taking the ac out of the car. I live in Washington state and imagine I’ll be driving with the windows down most of the time.

 

You have a 350 as well? My alternator is on the drives side, and has a bracket that certainly won’t fit. Can I ask about your passenger side alternator set up?

 

This is a 455 but the brackets are the same AFAIK. This setup was for most cars without AC and I don't have any info on whether the driver side alternator bracket setup would clear them, sorry. I have to agree that these are good looking valve covers, but maybe you'd find a nice set of M/T covers would give some bling without the headaches!

 

you’re alternator bracket looks eerily similar to my factory ac bracket.

 

...or, your "factory" ac bracket looks eerily similar to my alternator bracket! Here's the same setup in my all original '71 Cutlass with the 350.

 

I was wrong haha it’s been a few months since I took it apart.

This is where I’m at now. Just pulled the ac and am working on cleaning the frame rails. I’m thinking about ordering the opg ac delete heater box. Or potentially making my own. It looks like the heater core needs replaced too.

 

The 350 really looks so small in there. Eventually I’d like to gather parts to build a 455. But right now I want to get it in the road. I’ll do trans and rear next winter. And hopefully 4 wheel disc the season after. Then it’ll be building a 455.

 

Is this the correct mounting location for the passenger side alternator bracket?