Vortec heads & roller rockers ?

[phreddei166]

I have a SBC using vortec heads and Comp Cams Pro Magnum full roller rockers with poly locks. The problem is valve cover clearance. The stock valve covers were too short so I bought tall aluminum centerbolt valve covers off an E-Bay vendor. No name brand. The covers have ribs in the 4 places that the bolts go thru. The ribs should fit between the rockers, but they hit. Should i grind the ribs to clear? Or can someone tell me a name of valve covers that will clear? Yes the rockers are self-aligning type. I,d like to hear what ( 4x4high ) has to say. See pics.

 

[dyeager535]

I've got the exact setup you have. Stock valve covers fit.

Post up pics of the stock valve covers and I'll show you where you need to grind. Or, if it makes sense, when you look at the underside of your stock valve covers, you'll see they have ribs as well. At the bottom of the ribs the metal is bent over. That hits the trunnion on the rocker. Grind enough off of each bent over lip, and they fit no problem. Also helps you guide the valve cover on.

 

[4X4HIGH]

I went through this same issue and in my case there was NO WAY the stock covers could be made to work without cutting all the supports out of the cover. I ended up looking through a bunch of covers before i found a set that would work. This is what i ended up with. http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=PRO%2D141%2D131&N=700+400405+4294908216+4294924930+4294840140+115&autoview=sku

 

[pauly383]

I have seen adapter plates to put old perimeter bolt tall valve covers on , don't know if the adapters clear wide body rockers though .

 

[4X4HIGH]

Those won't work. In my case i have AFR heads and i have both bolt patterns but wanted to stay with using the much better centerbolt covers.

 

[pauly383]

True , the centerbolts seal better , but don't aftermarket heads have raised valve cover mounting rails for less leaking ?

 

[shaun89]

my friend had the same problem, he ended up getting the center bolt covers that are black with the bowtie and chevrolet in red on them...i think they're in jegs

 

[phreddei166]

( dyeager 535 ) Here's a pic of the stock height covers I used with stamped rockers. The covers are also e-bay vendor issue ( no name ) Can't imagine that these would work without ripping out all ribs. I,m going to try grinding clearance in my tall alumimum covers . If still no luck I'll grab what ( 4x4high ) recommended. Anyone else have a valve cover that worked ?

 

[dyeager535]

What was the issue?

I think I've even got pictures somewhere...I've got stock vortecs (original studs, comp pro magnums) and had no issue. Not sure why the OP would.

 

[dyeager535]

( dyeager 535 ) Here's a pic of the stock height covers I used with stamped rockers. The covers are also e-bay vendor issue ( no name ) Can't imagine that these would work without ripping out all ribs. I,m going to try grinding clearance in my tall alumimum covers . If still no luck I'll grab what ( 4x4high ) recommended. Anyone else have a valve cover that worked ?

Can only view a small image here, but looks to me like those are stock-style. Why wouldn't they work with the ribs in place, if narrowed at the bottom? The stock rockers had to fit between them, the ribs are essentially dead center between the opposing studs, so as long as there is clearance between the rockers, the rib will fit if it's narrow enough.

Don't forget, the trunnion is the widest part of roller rockers, but it doesn't move, so there is no issue with clearance.

Here are what pics I've got:

http://dyeager535.topcities.com/vortec.html

Looking at another pair of stock valve covers I've got, it appears that maybe the above pictured aftermarket factory style replacements have larger "windows" in the support pieces, but even the factory ones would have that issue. It's just that lower lip that is clearly shown, and maybe the PCV baffle, although the stock PCV baffle clears the comp pro magnums ok.