valve covers
March 30th, 2011, 06:05 PM
#1
valve covers
When I get my engine built, she will have roller rockers. Now I've been looking at some valve covers, do I need the tall covers for the clearance of the lifter's and what are you guy's talking about when you say to put the baffles in the valve covers
March 30th, 2011, 06:29 PM
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 978
valve covers
Kyle it really depends on which roller rockers you go with. Comp cams sit lower than Harlan Sharps. There are options for you though. You can use extra thick valve cover gaskets or you can purchase aluminum spacers if you want to keep OE height valve covers. The spacers sell for about $100. You should contact Badd Andy for some valve covers, he's always got some polished up sets for sale very reasonable IMHO. Check these out-
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ve-covers.html
If you end up using a rocker girdle you may need the extra tall valve covers, but you may then run into clearance issues with your power brake booster or AC box. Some bracket might not fit either. The baffles help to keep PCV gases & fumes in the engine and not in your breather.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ve-covers.html
If you end up using a rocker girdle you may need the extra tall valve covers, but you may then run into clearance issues with your power brake booster or AC box. Some bracket might not fit either. The baffles help to keep PCV gases & fumes in the engine and not in your breather.
March 30th, 2011, 06:52 PM
#5
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 978
Valve covers
I'm sending Andy two sets of these to shine up-
109-0954_IMG.jpg
They are heavy. If your going racing the sheet metal covers will save you some weight. You should ask Cutlassefi if the M/T valve covers clear the roller rockers. I'm not sure about that. They're not too tall. If you need the spacers, I think Smitty sells them or there's another guy that makes them close to me in Round Lake IL. He's always got them listed on Ebay. Here's a shot of mine installed-
109-0986_IMG.jpg
I really like these valve covers too, just because they are different-
http://hursthairyolds.com/sharp.aspx
109-0954_IMG.jpg
They are heavy. If your going racing the sheet metal covers will save you some weight. You should ask Cutlassefi if the M/T valve covers clear the roller rockers. I'm not sure about that. They're not too tall. If you need the spacers, I think Smitty sells them or there's another guy that makes them close to me in Round Lake IL. He's always got them listed on Ebay. Here's a shot of mine installed-
109-0986_IMG.jpg
I really like these valve covers too, just because they are different-
http://hursthairyolds.com/sharp.aspx
March 31st, 2011, 04:59 AM
#7
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Central Fl
Posts: 7,892
Nice engine bay Freak!
Sometimes it's not the rockers that hit the valve covers that require the need for taller covers, it's the poly locks. Comp and others now have shorter locks which helps a bunch.
And unless you're going with a larger solid roller or spinning it high more often you won't need a girdle. My next one is a 436 SBC with a .675 lift solid roller and 700# of open pressure, he needs a girdle. But a good set of studs will work fine in most applications.
Sometimes it's not the rockers that hit the valve covers that require the need for taller covers, it's the poly locks. Comp and others now have shorter locks which helps a bunch.
And unless you're going with a larger solid roller or spinning it high more often you won't need a girdle. My next one is a 436 SBC with a .675 lift solid roller and 700# of open pressure, he needs a girdle. But a good set of studs will work fine in most applications.
March 31st, 2011, 07:16 AM
#8
poly locks?Just a kid here wanting to know what every thing is. Should of stayed and became a mechanic, instead of swinging a hammer. Well Mark, when the time comes we will have to sit and figure out what I want done to this engine. You know what HP/Torque I want, what and where the car is used will have to be talked about
March 31st, 2011, 08:20 AM
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Central Fl
Posts: 7,892
No problem Kyle, ask away, how do you think we all learned this stuff? Keep it coming.
The poly locks are what holds down a set of rockers. Sometimes they are a bit tall, taller than the rocker gets even at full lift.
I have .544 lift on mine with stock style valve covers, no issues.
When you're ready, we'll dive in a bit deeper. but in the meantime you'll need to decide if you're leaning more towards torque lower in the rpm range or hp and rpm up higher. That might dictate what your direction will be. Plus you'll need to get the rest of the drivetrain laid out as well, tranny, converter, gear etc.
The poly locks are what holds down a set of rockers. Sometimes they are a bit tall, taller than the rocker gets even at full lift.
I have .544 lift on mine with stock style valve covers, no issues.
When you're ready, we'll dive in a bit deeper. but in the meantime you'll need to decide if you're leaning more towards torque lower in the rpm range or hp and rpm up higher. That might dictate what your direction will be. Plus you'll need to get the rest of the drivetrain laid out as well, tranny, converter, gear etc.
March 31st, 2011, 09:26 AM
#10
Okay thanks, so building an engine is like a marriage. What you want for the outcome is what you put in,build it proper it last for a long time, build it cheap you get nowhere or they blow up, gotcha
Oh so that is what I am doing wrong
Oh so that is what I am doing wrong
March 31st, 2011, 01:05 PM
#11
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 78
I did the Scorpion roller rocker and whalla! the baffles hit the poly locks. Instead of spacing or trying to find new covers I just cut a 1.5" wide piece out of the middle of the baffles, checked clearances, and readjusted as necessary. I did leave the piece of metal right over the PCV and breather holes just to make sure I didn't suck up any oil into the intake and I made sure the rockers didn't hit at full lift, pushrod or valve side. It was only the locks that hit the baffles.
This is a good fix until I can find some taller aftermarket covers. It will allow me to break in the engine and enjoy it until I find a better solution.
This is a good fix until I can find some taller aftermarket covers. It will allow me to break in the engine and enjoy it until I find a better solution.
March 31st, 2011, 03:36 PM
#14
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 52
factory covers have their bafles in the middle,so the rocker and pushrod don't shoot oil straight into the breather/pcv
with aftermaket covers like m/t edelbrock holley etc,the holes are right over a rocker.
you need the baffle so your pcv valve doesnt suck up a quart of oil
with aftermaket covers like m/t edelbrock holley etc,the holes are right over a rocker.
you need the baffle so your pcv valve doesnt suck up a quart of oil
August 19th, 2013, 05:44 PM
#19
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Long Island, NY (Home of Amy Fisher)
Posts: 84
Hey....quick question folks. Just installed a 455 and the rocker is tapping the PCV Baffle. I have tried to find spacers for an Olds 455 and am coming up empty. Does anyone have a recommendation of where to find spacers or even for a set of thick gaskets that could help alleviate this issue?
I've got a nice dose OCD, so this tick tick tick is super annoying
I've got a nice dose OCD, so this tick tick tick is super annoying
January 18th, 2014, 08:47 AM
#20
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Posts: 248
valve covers and AC.
I am also going to have roller rockers and would like to keep the stock height of the valve covers due to my AC bracket and alternator brackets straddling the valve covers. Is there any certain rocker I need to do this? I will be installing Edelbrock performer cylinder heads. This is a 350 to 455 engine swap in a 1970 cutlass supreme.
Mike
Mike
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