FE valve covers
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Elder User
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From: AL
FE valve covers
I need a set of the painted steel FE valve covers for my 390. Someone overtightened them in the past and damaged them. The local yards here don't have any. Does anyone have a good spare set they'd part with?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Ohio
Using a small hammer and a strip of metal/wood you can straighten out the rail enough to make them seal again. Very typical and done many times.
Take a strip of metal(better then wood) and clamp it in a vise with enough sticking up to allow valve cover to reach it. Put the valve cover down upside down(looking at inside) so the metal is supporting the rail(where it's bent). Then using a small hammer, pound the raised portion of the rail back down flat against the strip. Work slowly and evenly.
Take a strip of metal(better then wood) and clamp it in a vise with enough sticking up to allow valve cover to reach it. Put the valve cover down upside down(looking at inside) so the metal is supporting the rail(where it's bent). Then using a small hammer, pound the raised portion of the rail back down flat against the strip. Work slowly and evenly.
Fleet Owner
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From: NorCal
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
People tend to overtighten the valve cover bolts, which causes the area around the bolt holes to flare outwards.
Take the covers off, lay on a flat surface, they'll be resting on 5 pedestals instead of laying flat. Finding used valve covers without the "pedestals" will be very difficult in this day and age.
Be aware that the FE valve covers used on 1958/64 Passenger Cars are different. Are rounded without any holes in them for oil cap/smog valve. These engines have an oil fill tube, right (passenger) side-front
Take the covers off, lay on a flat surface, they'll be resting on 5 pedestals instead of laying flat. Finding used valve covers without the "pedestals" will be very difficult in this day and age.
Be aware that the FE valve covers used on 1958/64 Passenger Cars are different. Are rounded without any holes in them for oil cap/smog valve. These engines have an oil fill tube, right (passenger) side-front
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
With noted exception from Mr. Wilson. 352 & 360 VCs are the same, you don't have to go looking 390 to get a pair.
Also as noted reverse pounding will reverse the indention. I have had good success using wood to straighten. I would use wood over metal because of deep scratches that can be caused by metal.
John
Also as noted reverse pounding will reverse the indention. I have had good success using wood to straighten. I would use wood over metal because of deep scratches that can be caused by metal.
John
Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1965/67 352 / 1965/68 427 / 1965/76 390 / 1966/67 410 / 1966/70 428 / 1967/78 330/361/391 FT engines / 1968/76 360 all use the same valve covers, gaskets.
I had an original pair of Cobra LeMans valve covers on my 1965 F100 and an original Cobra air cleaner. I hate to think what these would be worth today.
Repro's of both (made in Taiwan) were first offered in the 1970's. Were reproduced by a local (North Hollywood) Ford parts obsolete store. The owner was a Shelby "nut."
Store is still there today, but under a different name/owner: Mustang Service Center, Bovon Chungjotakapisit, who is known as Bo Chung...for an obvious reason.
I had an original pair of Cobra LeMans valve covers on my 1965 F100 and an original Cobra air cleaner. I hate to think what these would be worth today.
Repro's of both (made in Taiwan) were first offered in the 1970's. Were reproduced by a local (North Hollywood) Ford parts obsolete store. The owner was a Shelby "nut."
Store is still there today, but under a different name/owner: Mustang Service Center, Bovon Chungjotakapisit, who is known as Bo Chung...for an obvious reason.
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Elder User
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From: AL
just found a little yard close to my house that I didn't know about, the owner likes FEs, he has a barn full of parts, he has several valve covers, I found the exact ones I needed. thanks for the info numberdummy
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Elder User
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From: AL
numberdummy, the yard i visited today had a 391 from a big truck, he said the valve covers are taller than a 360/390, is that so
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FT engines installed in 500 series and larger trucks with one exception.
1973/78 F350's made exclusively for U-Haul came with 330 2V Medium aka Xtra Duty engines.
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