Help me choose valve covers and accessories
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Engine Repair
Forum Discription: Engine problems and solutions
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47623
Printed Date: April-28-2024 at 11:45am
Topic: Help me choose valve covers and accessories
Posted By: robdubbleu
Subject: Help me choose valve covers and accessories
Date Posted: June-21-2019 at 2:22am
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Hey guys, I'm having my engine rebuilt and have spent many many dollars at Summitracing. However, I just need some valve covers. I'd re-use the stock ones but they're ugly and I am not confident that they aren't bent/warped so I'm just going to buy some new ones. I'm thinking about these: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sdk-6a582-351/overview/make/ford" rel="nofollow - Valve Covers I just need some guidance as to what should accompany them. I know I'd need to get an oil cap, but do I need a breather cap or a non-breather? Will the PCV hose plug right into the hole on the other (non-oil cap) valve cover or do I need something else to make that work? Recommendations welcome. Thanks! ------------- 1976 Ski Nautique (PCM 351) - Currently under major renovation: floor, carpet, interior, gel coat, engine overhaul - ALMOST DONE! |
Replies:
Posted By: Jonny Quest
Date Posted: June-21-2019 at 8:22pm
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The Scott Drake aluminium valve covers are beautiful. Just make sure that they fit with the PCM exhaust manifold/risers. PCV on the passenger side and breather on the driver's side. You typically need the PCV hooked up or you'll likely run rich without the extra bit of air it provides. A breather on the opposite valve cover is usually used when you go to an open style air cleaner or spark arrestor. Just my 2¢ JQ ------------- Current 2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum |
Posted By: Talley83
Date Posted: June-23-2019 at 12:31am
| Rob let me know if those work for you or what you get because I am interested in ordering a pair too and was wondering if they would work. Thanks |
Posted By: Jonny Quest
Date Posted: June-23-2019 at 3:49pm
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Hopefully, I didn't mislead you....I don't have a set of the Scott Drake valve covers. I was commenting on the fact that they are very nice looking. I'm using the standard red PCM valve covers. I kinda have a thing for red.... JQ ------------- Current 2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum |
Posted By: robdubbleu
Date Posted: June-24-2019 at 7:14pm
I'm confused. Are you saying I probably need a non-breather oil cap or one that does breathe? I do plan to use the PCV on the passenger side. Thanks! ------------- 1976 Ski Nautique (PCM 351) - Currently under major renovation: floor, carpet, interior, gel coat, engine overhaul - ALMOST DONE! |
Jonny Quest wrote:Posted By: Jonny Quest
Date Posted: June-25-2019 at 11:02am
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On the starboard side, I recommend a breather cap -- preferably one that can be plumbed to the spark arrestor with a 1/2" or so hose. That will help keep the engine compartment clean. On the port side, you have the PCV valve that is plumbed to full manifold vacuum. JQ ------------- Current 2003 Ski Nautique 206 Limited Previous 2001 Ski Nautique Open Bow 1994 Ski Nautique Open Bow Aqua skiing, ergo sum |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: June-25-2019 at 2:19pm
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Rob JQ seems to have this thought that all PCM Fords have the oil fill on the right side of the engine and the PCV on the left. He's obviously not looked too closely at the earlier ones like your 76 which was back asswards from that. It had the PCV at the right rear and the oil fill/breather with a 90 degree fitting and a hose to the flame arrestor on the left front. You're really not gonna know what you need till whatever valve covers you get are in your hands and maybe the original 76 parts will fit the holes and then again you may be scrounging for grommets etc. to adapt things to fit. |
Posted By: Nautilus
Date Posted: June-25-2019 at 3:59pm
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You will need 3/8" or 1/2" aluminum valve cover spacers or the rocker arms will hit the valve covers. Without them, your engine will sound like it has thrown a couple rods and scare you half to death. https://www.ebay.com/itm/VALVE-COVER-SPACERS-3-8-FORD-SMALL-BLOCK-289-302-351W-WITH-GASKETLOK-SBF/173864039895?hash=item287b1ab5d7:g:lHMAAOSwdGFY0sp6&vxp=mtr ------------- Striving for mediocrity ! |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: June-25-2019 at 4:37pm
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VALVE-COVER-SPACERS-3-8-FORD-SMALL-BLOCK-289-302-351W-WITH-GASKETLOK-SBF/173864039895?hash=item287b1ab5d7:g:lHMAAOSwdGFY0sp6&vxp=mtr%20" rel="nofollow - Direct link for spacers. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: Talley83
Date Posted: June-25-2019 at 5:05pm
| So are y’all saying a standard height aluminum valve cover will need a spacer to fit? Wouldn’t that be just like installing a y’all valve cover and become an issue with the exhaust manifold clearance. |
Posted By: Nautilus
Date Posted: June-25-2019 at 5:54pm
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Those after-market Cobra valve covers have slanted sides so lifting them 1/2" will not interfere with the exhaust risers. I just went through all this with an '88 Ski Nautique. It took awhile to figure out what the hell was making all that noise. It was only when we removed the valve covers and turned the engine over with no spark to check the pushrods that we realized the clacking was gone. The underside of the valve covers told the story. We used the 1/2" valve cover risers I recommended. Not cheap but it was necessary. ------------- Striving for mediocrity ! |
Posted By: robdubbleu
Date Posted: June-26-2019 at 1:27am
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Wow. Great info here folks! All that being said, should I look for some 'tall' valve covers that have slanted sides? Also, the stock valve covers didn't have any spacers IIRC. Were my original valve covers considered Tall versus a standard automotive height? ------------- 1976 Ski Nautique (PCM 351) - Currently under major renovation: floor, carpet, interior, gel coat, engine overhaul - ALMOST DONE! |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: June-26-2019 at 9:03am
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I don't know what Nautilus used for rocker arms, but if they were stock and hit the valve covers he used, that's a ridiculous way to make a valve cover. Right about now I'd say to use the old original ugly ones that you know will fit and get the engine running. They're normal height, not tall I didn't see anything about roller rockers being used in any of your posts in this thread or others so right about now I'd say to use the old original ugly ones that you know will fit and all the plumbing like PCV valve and oil breather/fill will be the same and get the engine running, then worry about pretty valve covers later. Remember you did mention being on a budget and wanting to keep gasket prices etc down. I'm figuring the old ones could clean up reasonably well for now and maybe even get a cheap paint job  Wait for somebody to tell you they used xxxx brand and what fittings, grommets etc if you don't want to be experimenting. |
Posted By: Nautilus
Date Posted: June-26-2019 at 12:12pm
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The black aluminum "Cobra" valve covers are undersize as far as height, at least mine were. I have no idea why they are made that way. Probably the best idea would be to measure the height of stock vs after market...from the sealing edges...before you plunk down your money. The selection after market valve covers is fairly limited considering the height and the clearance needed for the exhaust risers. Here's a photo of a 351 I built a few yuears ago showing the valve cover risers installed. As you can see, I used aluminum exhaust logs with snails instead of the stock manifolds and risers.  ------------- Striving for mediocrity ! |
Posted By: robdubbleu
Date Posted: June-26-2019 at 4:24pm
Thanks KENO! You've convinced me to re-use the old ones for now. I wasn't confident that they were going to have a perfectly flat mating surface but with a new gasket they should seal up fine for now. And yeah, I have been trying to save money, but have been pretty much unsuccessful  ------------- 1976 Ski Nautique (PCM 351) - Currently under major renovation: floor, carpet, interior, gel coat, engine overhaul - ALMOST DONE! |
Posted By: KENO
Date Posted: June-26-2019 at 10:17pm
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Glad to help you save some money You can check the covers for flatness and straighten them pretty easily if they're not flat. The torque spec is about 3 to 5 ft lbs for your stamped covers. That's about 1/2 of a small girly grunt Too much torque is what warps them |