Idea: Clear valve covers!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Idea: Clear valve covers!
I'm surprised nobody has thought of this. Basically, you'd have a standard aluminum valve cover with a large plexiglass window covering the whole top of it. You'd be able to watch sludge build up, watch the rockers do their thing, ensure pushrods are rotating, compare sludge buildup from various oils, and other things. Another thing I thought of sitting on the toilet this morning.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,547
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From: Calhoun GA
I believe there are valve covers you can (or could) buy where the top could be removed. This type of VC worked great for those with adjustable rockers...these people could adjust thier rockers an not worry about oil splattering everywhere.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34
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From: US
it is an idea worth checking out though... an easy way to keep on eye on some of the more unpredictable parts of the motor. i'll take a set for my 390 and my I6...
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New User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 22
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wouldn't use plexi, use polycarbonate instead. It's a b*tch to thermoform because it contains water, meaning that when you heat it up the moisture works it's way to the surface and forms little bubbles all over until you can no longer see through it.
If you don't thermoform it and just have a small, flat, window, make it thick enough that it could deal with the heat, maybe 1/2''... not cheap stuff either and usually comes in 48" x 48" sheets. Check out www.mcmaster.com
If you don't thermoform it and just have a small, flat, window, make it thick enough that it could deal with the heat, maybe 1/2''... not cheap stuff either and usually comes in 48" x 48" sheets. Check out www.mcmaster.com
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: New York
Or you could probably make them out of the stuff they make nalagene bottles out of. the Lexan plastic that stuff can take a beating. I used my Nalagene bottle to drive stakes into the ground b/c of a storm coming in down at the Boy Scout National Jamboree in Virginia. Left a big dent but didn't break it.
Just an idea.
Just an idea.
FE "Freakin Expensive"
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 4
From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Pro, PSE used to make them..rather they still do or not I dont know..But yes as you said clear rocker cover's has been there and done that!! LOL..who the hell would want clear cover's anyway? to look at Ugly Oil Flying around!! after they got covered with Oil on the inside you couldnt see ***** anyway..sounds Dumb to me..But what do I know?? LOL... Oh well what ever fires your Rocket I guess!! LOL..
Russ
Russ
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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yeah, i agree with you on that on 'Rapids', when you start up your rig, the oil will just go flying all over the valve covers.
unless there was some sort of finish you could put on the insinde so the oil could just spread away juts like when you get water ontop of oil. maybe theres some kind of finish like a wax, but that wouldnt bee too good on the rockers!
im just throwing ideas from my head to my fingers into the keyboard, so dont laugh!
unless there was some sort of finish you could put on the insinde so the oil could just spread away juts like when you get water ontop of oil. maybe theres some kind of finish like a wax, but that wouldnt bee too good on the rockers!
im just throwing ideas from my head to my fingers into the keyboard, so dont laugh!
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
The hottest you're heads should ever be is ~210*f... So the 300 degrees shouldn't be an issue. As for the oil splattering on them, just make a deflector that doesn't interupt the sight line.
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
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From: Iowa
Shoot, I ran my 390 without the valve covers a while back. That's part of where this idea came from. It took about 30 seconds for oil to spill over and off the head. It may be different on FE's, but oil wasn't flying everywhere. It was squishing out all around the rockers and flowing in a neat spiral pattern down the pushrods, but not flying anywhere.
Last edited by rusty70f100; Sep 22, 2005 at 10:28 PM.