FE Valve Cover Interchange Issue
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
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From: NorCal
FE Valve Cover Interchange Issue
These FE valve covers were given to me by my brother who has a 360FE in his Bumpside. They look identical to the ones I have on my 390FE. Embarking on detailing the engine compartment, I spent all weekend completely stripping, straightening, and painting these valve covers. They look good, right?
Problem: I attempted to swap the rusty valve cover on my passenger-side head with the replacement below but could not get the it to set on the cylinder head. I turned over the removed valve cover and discovered a PO had clearanced the oil baffle in order for it to clear the rockers and springs by removing most of the shield (see green arrow in image below).
Question: Is/Was there a difference btwn 360FE and 390FE valve covers? What about valvetrain components? The stamp on each refinished valve cover is 3_5_D2W (I think that means 3rd shift on the 5th day of some month in 1972). Can provide any insight to clear up this mystery? Thanks.
Problem: I attempted to swap the rusty valve cover on my passenger-side head with the replacement below but could not get the it to set on the cylinder head. I turned over the removed valve cover and discovered a PO had clearanced the oil baffle in order for it to clear the rockers and springs by removing most of the shield (see green arrow in image below).
Question: Is/Was there a difference btwn 360FE and 390FE valve covers? What about valvetrain components? The stamp on each refinished valve cover is 3_5_D2W (I think that means 3rd shift on the 5th day of some month in 1972). Can provide any insight to clear up this mystery? Thanks.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
That's weird. There should be no difference in the valvetrain for any of the later motors, say 1968 and up (I'm being conservative on that year, it could be basically ALL FE's, although I do remember some difference in valve covers).
Do you have a big cam that might be making more lift? Or is it hitting the rocker shaft or rocker stand bolt heads?
Do you have a big cam that might be making more lift? Or is it hitting the rocker shaft or rocker stand bolt heads?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,408
Likes: 75
From: Plankinton, SD
I have noticed that too as my dad has bunches of them laying around. I've just clearanced it out of my way too but don't know the differences. It's not because of the cam, it hits the rocker or a stand or something, can't remember for sure, and won't fit at all without modding. I think last time I did it is when put a set of old chrome ones on my pickup dad had around. That is if I remember right.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
That's weird. There should be no difference in the valvetrain for any of the later motors, say 1968 and up (I'm being conservative on that year, it could be basically ALL FE's, although I do remember some difference in valve covers).
Do you have a big cam that might be making more lift? Or is it hitting the rocker shaft or rocker stand bolt heads?
Do you have a big cam that might be making more lift? Or is it hitting the rocker shaft or rocker stand bolt heads?
I have noticed that too as my dad has bunches of them laying around. I've just clearanced it out of my way too but don't know the differences. It's not because of the cam, it hits the rocker or a stand or something, can't remember for sure, and won't fit at all without modding. I think last time I did it is when put a set of old chrome ones on my pickup dad had around. That is if I remember right.
Maybe I'll just suck up and buy some Cobra LeMans valve covers... oh waitaminute... I might run into the same problem. Hmmm... the mystery continues.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 703
Likes: 3
From: Western Washington
You'd probably be fine with the Cobra LeMans valve covers. I put a set on my 390, but the only clearence issue I had was a couple of the fins on the top of the valve cover interfered with the brake booster. I simply ground a little relief notch in them to clear the booster. No problems at all now.
OJ
OJ
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
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From: NorCal
OJ.. thanks for the input. I might go back and weld up the already-hacked covers when the weather gets better but will definitely look into the Cobra FE covers with added confidence that they will fit.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,408
Likes: 75
From: Plankinton, SD
Cobra ones will fit, have 2 pairs. They are taller for the adjustable rockers and don't have that stupid baffle in there. I had the same problem OJ had on the fairlanes we run the fe in and "cocked" the master cylinder with some washers on one side to clear the valve cover.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,584
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From: Chesapeake, Va.
The Cobra LeMans covers that came on the late Shelbys were Die Cast and slightly smaller than the original Sand Cast covers. I believe Ford used a smaller brake booster also for clearance. The Sand Cast covers were machined for a little more clearance on the
driver side.
driver side.
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