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Old Aug 14, 2013 | 12:48 AM
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Valve covers

I need some suggestions on an issue I am having... I replaced a Mercruiser 888 (1974 Ford 302) with a 98 Explorer 302. I retained all the peripherals which seem to work fine except the valve covers. I am 95%+ certain the valve train noise is basically a clearance issue where the rockers are hitting the valve covers. I can feel what seems to be a subtle tap on the valve covers as it runs.

The heads are gt40p and the engine has been completely rebuilt to factory specs. The covers are very similar to the one in the pic below.

Basically I need some suggestions on replacement covers that will clear these rockers but retain the provisions for the oil cap and the pvc valve. I will post a pic of the actual covers installed tomorrow.

I would prefer something with some aesthetic considerations. Ideally used from a vic or stang so I can source it cheap from a yard. Thx

 
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Old Aug 14, 2013 | 01:19 AM
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Exploder VC's don't work?
 
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Old Aug 14, 2013 | 09:33 AM
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If I have to... Kinda ugly. Cheap but ugly.

I was hoping a set of factory aluminum vc's might fit the bill. Not sure if they will clear.
 
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Old Aug 14, 2013 | 01:31 PM
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Pull that valve cover and look at the oil baffle inside, if a rocker is hitting, you'll see where the contact point is. Then take a ballpeen hammer and clearance it at that point.
 
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Old Aug 14, 2013 | 02:00 PM
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Originally Posted by baddad457
Pull that valve cover and look at the oil baffle inside, if a rocker is hitting, you'll see where the contact point is. Then take a ballpeen hammer and clearance it at that point.

Duh... Thanks. I should have thought of that.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2013 | 01:36 AM
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And paint those things !!!!
 
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Old Aug 15, 2013 | 09:27 AM
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Hey do they make thicker gaskets? Something like twice the normal thickness.

That was just a pic I found. Mine could use attention but not that bad.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2013 | 11:47 AM
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yes they do... http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fe...view/make/ford

5/16" thick. A little pricey ($40) for a set of valve cover gaskets though.

I will take this thing off and see what I can do with it first. Maybe hammer &/or grind. It's only hitting on the left side towards the front. Probably on the inside baffle (or whatever its called) where the oil goes in.
 
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 11:45 PM
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Did you resolve this? Waiting on a set of gt40ps to arrive for my truck currently. Hope I don't need new VC.
 
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Old Aug 24, 2013 | 02:36 AM
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Not yet... I will post when I do.
 
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